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The Stetson Hatters wound up on the wrong side of a recent college baseball rule change during a midweek matchup against Florida. The team was robbed of a run when a bang-bang play sparked a protest.
Elon baseball coach Mike Kennedy seems to side with Stetson after seeing the controversy go viral. He posted a message on his X account that called out the “joke” of ruling.
Double First base rule is a joke.
Particularly when some use it and some don’t!
Guys are now out for touching the base they have been touching since they were 6 years old!
— Michael Kennedy (@Mike_Kennedy12) February 26, 2025
The double-bag rule was implemented this season as a safety measure. To avoid collisions at first base, an inside bag is now used for the fielder while the runner can use an outside bag when running down the line.
In the game between Stetson and Florida, a Hatters baserunner appeared to beat out an infield single which plated the tying run. Gators coach Kevin O’Sullivan quickly called for a video review.
Stetson ties it up in the 7th with Florida 👀👀
The night is still young 😈 pic.twitter.com/HX3w2RpNpl
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) February 26, 2025
The new rule states that “if there is a play on the batter-runner and the batter-runner touches only the white [inside] portion of the double base and the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to first base, it is treated as the same as missing the base.”
Officials determined that the Stetson runner only touched the inside part of the bag. He was ruled out and the run did not count.
The play caused the remainder of the contest to be played under protest. Stetson initially refused to walk back onto the field for the eighth inning. The Hatters’ coaching staff was unhappy with how the review was handled.
Mike Kennedy wasn’t involved in that ruling. His Elon baseball team was playing a road game against 12th-ranked Wake Forest. Still, he opted to chime in after seeing the controversy.
The head coach hasn’t seen consistency with the way the rule has been umpired. He also believes leniency should be given as players adjust to the guideline in Year 1.
Kennedy hasn’t affected by the rule change, but he’s now witnessed a team that has. He doesn’t want to see runs taken off the board in similar fashion for the Phoenix this season.