BY STEPHEN R. HAGWELL
STAFF WRITER

OMAHA, Nebraska -- Collegiate baseball players may not notice a difference in the appearance of nonwood bats during the 2000 intercollegiate season, but if recommendations from the NCAA Baseball Research Panel are approved by the NCAA Executive Committee, players most certainly should experience a difference in bat performance.

At a June 12 news conference at the NCAA College World Series, panel members announced recommendations that would make wood bats the standard by which nonwood baseball bat performance would be measured, effective January 1, 2000.

The panel, created by the Executive Committee in mid-January to study risk issues in college baseball, recommended continued implementation of the "two-prong" standards for nonwood bats, as well as changes in an already adopted third prong -- a batted-ball exit velocity.

The "two-prong" standards for nonwood bats permit a maximum bat diameter of 2 5/8 inches and a difference between the length of the bat and its weight (not including the grip) not to exceed three units (that is, a 34-inch bat cannot weigh less than 31 ounces).

In addition to reaffirming use of the two-prong standards, the panel concluded that a batted-ball exit speed, already approved for implementation, should be adjusted for nonwood bats to one that equates to the highest average exit speed using Major League Baseball quality, 34-inch, solid wood bats. The exit-speed standard would be attained via testing using input speeds for both the baseball and bat swing of 80 miles per hour.

The panel also recommended enforcement of specifications regarding baseballs and that testing be conducted regarding a compression standard for baseballs.

"In terms of both risk and integrity, the panel concluded that wood should be the standard," said Milton A. Gordon, chair of the research panel and president of California State University, Fullerton.

The panel's recommendations, which will be sent to the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee for review and comment at its July 5-8 meeting, suggest that the Executive Committee modify its August 1998 decision regarding the timetable for implementation of the baseball bat specifications.

The Executive Committee will review the panel's recommendations via a conference call in July as a prelude to its August 6 meeting in Indianapolis.

Review of issue

In August 1998, the Executive Committee approved a rules change in nonwood bat specifications recommended by the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee that created new size and weight specifications of nonwood bats, as well as a maximum batted-ball exit velocity of 93 miles per hour (plus a one-mile-per-hour tolerance), effective August 1, 1999.

On January 15, the Executive Committee, acting on differing recommendations from the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet and the Divisions II and III Championships Committees, adopted the "two-prong" standards for nonwood bats to be used in the 1999 championships.

Composed of independent scientists and experts, the panel's charge has been to report and recommend specifications for baseballs and nonwood baseball bats, as well as future certification protocol, not later than July 1, 1999.

The panel met on three occasions -- March 11-12 in Indianapolis, April 17 in Chicago, and via telephone conference June 8.

Acceptable risk levels

While noting that the overall injury rate for baseball is among the lowest of any sport sponsored by NCAA member schools, the panel concluded that a limit on the risk of injury should be set.

"Given the fact that baseball has been played with wooden bats since the inception of the game, the group determined that the level of risk associated with wooden bats is generally accepted by all associated with the game," Gordon said. "Therefore, the panel recommends that a standard tied to the performance of wooden bats will result in risk levels acceptable to the sport."

In addition to addressing the risk issue, the panel also is convinced that there are legitimate issues that should be addressed with regard to balance between offense and defense based on performance data collected over time (as well as anecdotal evidence).

"The consensus of the group is that a standard that attempts to keep the performance level of all bats as similar to wood as possible would best preserve the integrity of the game," Gordon said.

To achieve these objectives, the panel recommended:

* Use of a Baum Hitting Machine housed in an independent lab at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell for bat testing and certification.

* That testing and certification input speeds for both the baseball and bat swing be increased from 70 miles per hour to 80 miles per hour to better approximate game conditions.

* Testing of 34-inch solid wood bats to establish the highest average batted-ball exit speed as a standard for nonwood bats.

In addition, the panel recommended further study and testing be conducted to determine:

* If a ball compression standard should be adopted for baseballs.

* The effect of work-hardening and distribution of mass on nonwood bat performance.

The panel also recommended that current standards (coefficient of restitution) for baseballs be retained but that the baseball rules committee explore ways to ensure that the standards are enforced.

While the panel is uncertain regarding the impact a lower compression ball might have on the collegiate game, Michael M. Carroll, professor of engineering at Rice University, said that the panel is confident that the recommendations address the issues relating to risk and integrity of the game.

"By going to a wood standard, we are addressing the issue of safety completely. I don't think we are fully addressing the issue of balance," Carroll said. "Metal bats won't be like wood bats in all respects and you can't write legislation that would ensure that standard.

"In terms of dealing with exit velocity under realistic bat and ball speeds, adopting a wood standard in that particular area is quite important. It addresses the safety issue and goes a long way toward addressing the issue of competitive balance."