National Collegiate Athletic Association

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The NCAA News -- July 19, 1999

Baseball rules committee discusses nonwood standards

The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee heard presentations regarding nonwood bat standards at its annual meeting July 5-8 in Cooperstown, New York.

James Sherwood, who was selected by the NCAA Baseball Research Panel to perform bat testing, presented to the committee, giving members the opportunity to discuss the issue at length.

The research panel in June recommended to the NCAA Executive Committee a batted-ball exit velocity in addition to continued implementation of the "two-prong" standards for nonwood bats.

The panel suggested that the exit speed 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.

After its review, the rules committee determined that it would not make any rules changes concerning bats until the Executive Committee has had a chance to review the panel's recommendations at its August 6 meeting in Indianapolis.

Rules changes

The committee voted to implement the following rules changes for the 2000 season:

  • The catcher's box will be mandatory.

  • Added language to ensure the 12-run rule occurs only after teams have completed equal innings.

  • Clarified the rule concerning a legal catch that is made by a player falling out of bounds.

  • Clarified the hitter's interference rule.

  • Added a new rule (Rule 6-5-i) that states: "If a defensive player reaches into a dugout or bullpen (dead-ball area) in an attempt to catch a foul fly ball and is interfered with, the batter shall be declared out and no base runners shall be allowed to advance. Interference is the act of an offensive player, umpire or non-game persons which interferes with, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. The act may be intentional or unintentional."

  • Clarified the illegally batted ball rule to include balls hit fair and foul. Additionally, the committee added an application of the rule, which reads: "If the pitch is not hit, the pitch shall be called a ball or strike. The batter is not out."

  • Added a penalty for a catcher stepping out of the catcher's box during a squeeze play (Rule 8-3-o) that reads: "The ball becomes dead, the batter shall be awarded first base, the run scores and all other base runners shall advance one base."

  • Changed the rule regarding interference during a potential double play. A team shall be awarded a double play if interfered with when a double play is likely, instead of obvious, as the previous rule stated.

    In other action, the committee noted its desire to have rules clinics become mandatory for all conferences and coaches. The committee decided to explore different ways to accomplish this and will take action at a future meeting.