Double Base - Foul Territory

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Just to clarify: This is not the case in NFHS. The defense may only use the orange portion of the base if a thrown from foul ground or if an errant or missed throw pulls the defensive player into foul ground. 8-10-2.

Seems to me that is exactly what everyone stated.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Seems to me that is exactly what everyone stated.

The thread started with the situation of a batted ball bouncing off F3 into foul territory. According to NFHS rules, the use of the orange bag by the defense is only mentioned along with a throw by the defense.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

The thread started with the situation of a batted ball bouncing off F3 into foul territory. According to NFHS rules, the use of the orange bag by the defense is only mentioned along with a throw by the defense.

I guess that's like the difference between an overthrow and the ball getting away from a fielder making a play.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

The thread started with the situation of a batted ball bouncing off F3 into foul territory. According to NFHS rules, the use of the orange bag by the defense is only mentioned along with a throw by the defense.

What can I say, you're dealing with NFHS

[ChuckElias]

Could someone briefly explain what the orange base is? My 10-year-old daughter is playing softball for the first time and I've never seen the "double" base at first before. And, of course, I was asked to coach first base last game.

What is its purpose? Is either part supposed to be in foul territory? Does the runner have to stay on the white part? If not, doesn't that give them an extra step toward second base? Can the ball pass over either part and still be fair?

I know nothing here, so help me out please? Thanks.

[rodan55]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

Could someone briefly explain what the orange base is? My 10-year-old daughter is playing softball for the first time and I've never seen the "double" base at first before. And, of course, I was asked to coach first base last game.

What is its purpose? Is either part supposed to be in foul territory? Does the runner have to stay on the white part? If not, doesn't that give them an extra step toward second base? Can the ball pass over either part and still be fair?

I know nothing here, so help me out please? Thanks.

Here it is in a nutshell and I'm the nut. Most have been mentioned earlier in the thead. Foget the orange to determine fair or foul. White part in fair territory. Plays at first, white used by the defense, orange offense, except as previously mentioned. On a routine play, defense on the white, the runner must touch the orange. If not then the defense can appeal missing the base. Balls hit, and no play at first, the runner can touch either color. When returning to the base, the runner can use either color. ASA rules

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

...I've never seen the "double" base at first before.

The "normal" first base is still where it always is. When looking at it from home plate, the right edge is also the edge of fair territory. There is then a second "bag" touching this right edge of the normal base. This second bag is completely in foul territory, abutted to the first base and neon orange in color.

It is basically positioned so that on regular plays there will be less collisions, since the the fielder will touch the white base and the runner can touch the orange. Confusion sometimes occurs with the rulings when "regular plays" do not happen.

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by SC Ump

The "normal" first base is still where it always is. When looking at it from home plate, the right edge is also the edge of fair territory. There is then a second "bag" touching this right edge of the normal base. This second bag is completely in foul territory, abutted to the first base and neon orange in color.

Thanks to rodan and SC Ump. So half the base is in foul territory. Ok. I assume then that a ground ball must pass over the "normal" part of the base to be fair. Passing over the other half would make it foul. Correct?

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

Thanks to rodan and SC Ump. So half the base is in foul territory. Ok. I assume then that a ground ball must pass over the "normal" part of the base to be fair. Passing over the other half would make it foul. Correct?

Yes, the ball must pass over or hit some part of the the normal part of the base to be fair. The orange bag is in foul territory. Also, on thing to remember is that the orange base is considered to "disappear" after that first play. For purposes of the look back rule, tagging up on a fly ball or all subsequent plays, the white part of the base is the only part valid.

FYI (sorry for the "b" word) In the history of baseball, we find that the bases were originally centered on a 90' square, causing them to be split in fair and foul territories. Because of the problems this caused, the 'foul' edges of home "circular" plate were chopped off giving it it's current point. (At some time before or after this, home went from round to square.) Also, first and thrid were moved so that the center of he base was no longer at the 90' mark, but not the furtherest outside corner is. Second base is the only one retaining it's original placement and shape. Softball bases not have this same layout pattern.

Or at least this baseball fact is what I heard on PBS.

[whiskers_ump]

[QUOTE=ChuckElias]Could someone briefly explain what the orange base is? My 10-year-old daughter is playing softball for the first time and I've never seen the "double" base at first before. And, of course, I was asked to coach first base last game.

What is its purpose?

Supposedly a safety issue.

Is either part supposed to be in foul territory?


Yes, the orange colored portion.


Does the runner have to stay on the white part?

Yes, Once she has reached 1st, yes she must be positioned on the white portion.


If not, doesn't that give them an extra step toward second base?

No extra step, the white portion is in fair territory in same position as if utilizing one base.

Can the ball pass over either part and still be fair?

Must pass over the white portion which is in fair ground.

QUOTE]