Here is a scenario to consider...if you are a catcher you will love this rule. Imagine you are a batter and the third strike is dropped. The ball rolls off into foul territory and the catcher goes to throw it to first. Sometimes it gets kind of awkward (and dangerous) when the throw goes across the path of the runner. It can be tough for the first baseman to see and catch the ball because they have always had to stand on the white part of the base, and the batter-runner had to go to the orange.
Here's where the new rule comes into play.
On any live ball made from first base foul territory, the batter-runner and the defensive player may use either base.
When the defensive player uses the foul portion of the double base, the batter-runner can run in fair territory and if hit by a throw from the foul side of the base, it would not be interference. Allowing the first baseman to use the orange bag when a ball comes from the first base side of foul territory may avoid collisions. Keep in mind that both the runner and the fielder can be touching the same base. If the fielder uses the orange base in their situation and the runner makes contact with the fielder it is interference on the runner. If both players us either white portion and the fielder causes the runner to hold up or change direction it is obstruction on the fielder.
What this really means...as a batter, if you run to first base on a dropped third strike, you should be looking up to see what the first baseman is doing. Once they commit to either the white or the orange, make things easy on yourself (and your umpire!) and go to the opposite side. This new rule may lead to confusion initially, but in the long run I think it will be much safer for all involved in the play, and it will improve the conditions of the throw to first base for the catcher.
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