New NCAA Safety Rules for Baseball & Softball Facilities

Major NCAA safety updates are officially here — and they affect baseball and softball facilities at every level.

New requirements around padding, fencing, and field equipment are rolling out now, with phased enforcement through 2025, 2026, and 2027. For athletic directors, facility managers, and contractors, this isn’t something to put off. Early planning is the difference between smooth compliance and last-minute scrambles. Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and how athletic facilities can get ahead of the deadline...

NCAA safety mandates are here — and the clock is ticking...

The NCAA has introduced new player-safety standards designed to reduce high-impact injuries and create safer playing environments across baseball and softball facilities.

These updates focus on:

• Protective wall, fence, and rail padding
• Dugout fencing and netting
• Updated field equipment, including double bases

With some requirements already in effect — and others coming fast — now is the time to assess your fields, secure budgets, and schedule upgrades before demand spikes.

Key NCAA rule changes every facility should know

1. Softball field padding requirements

Deadlines

• Division I: January 1, 2026
• Divisions II & III: January 1, 2027

What’s Required

• Sideline and home-run fences made of wood, concrete, brick, or other hard materials must be padded
• Padding must begin within 1 foot of the ground and extend to the top of the fence or 6 feet high, whichever is shorter
• Hard-surface backstops must also meet these padding standards

Pro Tip: Installing compliant wall and backstop padding early avoids rushed installations and limited availability in late 2026.

2. Baseball dugout & wall safety standards

Division I (Effective Now)

• Dugouts must include protective fencing or netting at least 3 feet high on the field-facing side

Divisions II & III (Required by January 1, 2025)

• The same dugout fencing requirements apply

Strongly Recommended (All Divisions)

• Padding on sideline fences, dugout rails, outfield walls, and backstops to reduce collision-related injuries

While not all padding is mandated yet, facilities that act early are better positioned for future rule updates — and safer play today.

3. Mandatory double-base requirement for softball

Effective

• Division I: 2026
• Divisions II & III: 2027

Specifications

• Size: 15” x 30”, one- or two-piece design
• Height: 1½” to 3½”
• Color: White in fair territory, contrasting color (typically orange) in foul territory

This change is aimed at reducing collisions at first base — one of the most common injury points in softball.

Why the NCAA is making these changes

These updates are grounded in safety data and risk reduction:

• Proper padding can reduce concussion and collision injuries by up to 64%
• Safer fields protect athletes, coaches, and spectators
• Proactive compliance reduces institutional liability and long-term costs

Beyond safety, many athletic facilities are using these upgrades as an opportunity to modernize their fields, improve visual appeal, and integrate school branding or sponsor logos into padding systems.

How to prepare your baseball or softball facility

With thousands of facilities impacted, early action matters. A simple, four-step approach keeps projects on track.

Step 1: Audit your field

Identify all hard surfaces that may require padding:

• Outfield and sideline walls
• Dugout rails and fronts
• Backstops
• Fencing and exposed structures

Step 2: Choose the right solutions

Select NCAA-compliant options such as:

• Wall and fence padding
• Dugout rail covers
• Backstop padding systems
• Fence-top caps and protective netting

Step 3: Plan & budget ahead

Incorporate upgrades into 2025–2026 capital improvement plans. Early estimates help support funding approvals and open the door for sponsor-branded padding.

Step 4: Schedule installations early

Demand for compliant padding will surge as deadlines approach. Off-season installations scheduled early offer better pricing, availability, and flexibility.

How Collins Company helps facilities stay compliant

Collins Company has decades of experience helping athletic facilities navigate safety upgrades with confidence. We support schools, universities, contractors, and distributors with:

• NCAA-compliant wall, fence, rail, and backstop padding
• Custom sizing, colors, and digital logo printing
• Full-facility assessments to ensure nothing is overlooked
• Turnkey project support — from planning and budgeting to fabrication and installation

Whether you manage one field or multiple stadiums, we help make compliance straightforward and stress-free.

Don’t wait until the deadline

Facilities that act early benefit from:

• Better pricing and material availability
• More customization options for branding and sponsorships
• Flexible installation windows
• Confidence that fields are ready before inspections begin4

Request Your Free NCAA Compliance Consultation →

And if this breakdown was helpful, pass it along. NCAA safety deadlines affect thousands of baseball and softball facilities — and the earlier teams prepare, the smoother the transition will be.