The Baseball Rules Committee approved a zero-tolerance policy for tobacco use and altered the strike zone during the group's annual meeting July 8-11 in Indianapolis.

Tobacco use, which is prohibited by NCAA Bylaw 11.1.5, continues to be an issue in baseball, according to the committee.

"The committee's opinion is that tobacco has no place in college baseball," said Lynn Thompson, director of athletics at Bethune-Cookman College and chair of the committee. "We are making a clear statement that no one -- coaches, umpires, players and administrative staff -- is to use or possess tobacco around a college game."

The committee instructed the national coordinator of umpires to focus on this issue during clinics and preseason mailings. Additionally, the committee made tobacco use its main point of emphasis.

To help spread the word about this increased enforcement of the rule, the committee also will send a memorandum to several groups, including the Divisions I, II and III Baseball Committees; the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports; college and university presidents; risk managers; athletics directors; head coaches at NCAA schools; and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

"We want to make sure everyone knows we take this bylaw seriously," Thompson said. "This is not a baseball-specific rule, but it does affect baseball as much or more than any other sport. This is for the safety of the student-athlete as well as for the betterment of baseball."

The group also discussed performance-enhancing drugs, specifically steroids. While it is unclear if this is a major problem at the college level, the committee feels additional testing is important. The committee drafted a letter of support for a competitive-safeguards committee proposal to conduct year-round testing in Division I baseball.

"This is another issue on which we need to take a positive step," Thompson said.

The biggest on-field change for next season is the strike zone. The committee changed the strike zone to be in concert with Major League Baseball's zone. Also new this year will be a diagram in the rules book to assist umpires.

"We are trying to obtain a level of consistency with the strike zone," Thompson said.

The new strike zone will span from the midpoint of the chest when the batter takes a normal stance and expend to the bottom of the kneecap. Previously, the strike zone started at the armpits.

The group deemed obstruction, a point of emphasis last season, a success. It will remain as a point of emphasis for this season, and the committee clarified part of this rule. Should obstruction occur, the runner will be awarded bases regardless of whether the runner returned to or reached base safely.

For example, if a player returns to a base safely but was obstructed by the fielder, obstruction shall be called and bases awarded.

The committee discussed the dead-ball area and altered this rule slightly to allow for outstanding fielding plays to be rewarded. Now, if a fielder gains possession of a thrown or pitched ball, then steps into a bench or dugout, or steps into dead-ball territory without falling, the ball will be in play.

"This gives some relief to the fielding team," Thompson said.

The committee also discussed elbow pads, which have received a fair amount of attention at the professional levels. At this point, these pads are not a major problem at the college level, but the group felt it was important to establish guidelines. The committee voted to limit the pad to 10 inches in length and require detailed documentation from a physician to use a pad that does not conform to this rule. The team is required to carry the documentation for all games.

Uniforms also will be a point of emphasis this season. The committee feels strongly that in order to maintain baseball's traditions, coaches and players should wear the official team uniforms to participate in the game. Rules are in place that require each team to be dressed uniformly, and the committee felt it was important to emphasize those rules.

Other highlights

Baseball Rules Committee
July 8-11/Indianapolis

Voted to change the wording in the suspension rule, clarifying what games will count as serving a suspension. The rule will read: "When applying the suspension rule, penalties shall be served for the team's next previously scheduled and completed contest(s)." Previously, this rule was not clear regarding the scheduling of the game and how postponed or halted games should be treated.

Established guidelines for scoreboards, video and audio to assist schools and conferences with game-management issues.

Clarified that assistant coaches may not leave the dugout or bullpen area to appeal any play on the field.

Changed the time an umpire should arrive on site from 20 minutes to 60 minutes.

Added a new approved ruling that does not require a pitcher to come to a complete and discernable stop when pitching from the set position with the bases empty.

Determined that catchers' helmets must be NOCSAE approved.

Implemented a rule that does not allow tape of any kind on helmets.

Reviewed baseball bat information, season statistics and injury rates. The committee is satisfied that current bat standards have had a positive effect on bat performance.

Recommended that all bat handlers wear helmets.

Recommended that Chuck Anderson of Florida Southern College replace Lynn Thompson, athletics director at Bethune-Cookman College, as chair of the committee.