The NCAA Divisions I, II and III Field Hockey Committees agreed on several rules modifications that will be effective in upcoming seasons during their January 26-29 meetings in Phoenix.

The changes involve substitution, uniforms and the game clock.

For the 2004 season, home teams will be required to provide a minimum of three substitution cards for each team. Also for next season, teams with game shirts that do not meet specified rules requirements will be offered the chance to change game shirts, but if that team is unable or chooses not to do so, it will be assessed a yellow card. In championships play, however, a yellow card will automatically be assessed and the team captain will serve the penalty.

Also in 2004, the color of the socks and/or shin guards must match the uniform shirt.

Another change set for the upcoming season targets the game clock. When a visible clock is being used and the horn cannot be disabled, the clock must be stopped at one minute and a verbal countdown used with the official. The half or period must end on the umpire's whistle. In 2005, visible game clocks will be required.

The committees also determined two additional rules changes involving uniforms that will go into effect in 2007 and 2010. Effective in 2007, game shirts may include piping, trim or a panel no larger than 3 inches that features a color other than the predominant color. In 2010, game shirts will be required to be solid in color although piping or trim of a contrasting color will be allowed.

In addition to holding a joint meeting, the committees also conducted separate sessions. A recap of each division's committee actions follows.

Division I

The Division I Field Hockey Committee reviewed potential sites for next year's national championship, but did not reach a conclusion. The group plans to forward a final recommendation to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet in June.

The committee also established an officiating subcommittee to work with an officials assignor, should that position be approved by the Executive Committee this spring. The Championships/
Competition Cabinet included funding for the officials assignor post in its 2005-06 budget requests.

The committee also agreed to require all Division I programs to submit score reporting forms online beginning with the 2004 season.

In other actions, the group noted it is waiting for budget approval to fund championship play-in games. Currently, the Collegiate Commissioners Association provides funding for these contests, which determine the teams that will fill the final two automatic-qualification slots in the championship bracket. The committee recommended that the NCAA assume financial responsibility for these games, and that recommendation has gained Championships/Competition Cabinet support.

Division II

In preparation for expanding the championship bracket from four to six teams in 2004, the Division II Field Hockey Committee settled on a format for the larger field. The expanded bracket received approval from the Division II Championships Cabinet and is awaiting final budget approval.

The field hockey committee agreed to a format that adds a week between the first-round games and the finals. The committee will seed three teams from each of the two regions, with each region's top seed earning a first-round bye. The Nos. 2 and 3 seeds in each region will compete against each other. In addition, the top seed will be offered an opportunity to host the championship, provided the school meets minimum site-selection criteria.

In the new format, first-round games will be on the third Saturday before Thanksgiving. The finals will be on the Friday and Sunday two weeks before Thanksgiving. The 2004 first-round games are on November 6 and the finals will be November 12 and 14.

In addition, the committee noted that it had received approval from the Division II Championships Committee to fund air travel for two of the five officials assigned to the championship beginning with the 2004 season. This will allow the committee to ensure that officiating crews equitably represent each region.

Committee members also agreed to require all Division II institutions sponsoring field hockey to submit schedule forms and score reports online, effective with the 2004 season.

In its review of the 2003 championship, the committee recommended that an official be present at the prechampionship meeting to address any concerns of participating schools. The committee also noted that in future championships, an elevated scorers table should be used to allow table officials the best possible view.

Division III

The Division III Field Hockey Committee discussed a pending bracket expansion during its meeting. Based on the bracket expansion of Division III team sports to a 1:6.5 ratio, the field hockey bracket is scheduled to expand to 23 teams in 2005.

To accommodate the increased number of teams the committee recommended an increase in the number of first-round contests from two to seven. Committee members believe this avoids decreasing the length of the regular playing season by one week.

The committee also recommended to the Division III Championships Committee an increase in the size of the bracket in 2004 to a total of 19 teams. Last year's bracket was 18 teams. The committee confirmed that Pool A will grow to 13 teams due to three conferences earning automatic-qualification status for the upcoming season. Pool B will consist of four teams, and there will be two teams in Pool C. As a result of a higher number of teams in the pools, there will be an additional first-round game played in the 2004 championship tournament.

In other actions, the committee confirmed that the highest seeds should host regional competition, if the institution meets minimum geographical requirements. The group also noted that all mailings and championship information will be distributed electronically and through the Internet. In addition, the committee recognized that it is soliciting bids for hosts of the 2006 and 2007 championships.

The group also adopted a policy of fining institutions for not submitting weekly score reporting updates. The specific details of the policy, which mirrors other Division III sports such as women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's basketball, will be established and implemented in time for the beginning of the 2004 playing season.

The Division III committee also:

Agreed to change the number of teams ranked regionally each week. The new formula calls for regions with 15 or fewer teams to rank three teams, and regions with 16-30 teams to rank five teams. For regions with 31 or more squads, six teams will be ranked.

In response to discussions during the coaches meetings about the possibility of moving to artificial turf-only or nonfilled playing surfaces, the committee discussed, but did not take a position on the issue. The group did, however, recognize that about two-thirds of Division III programs compete on grass.

Named Sally Scatton, head coach at William Smith College, as the new committee chair. Scatton replaces Charlyn Robert, director of athletics at Nichols College.