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PROP tables experimental re-entry rule in DIII baseball

By Greg Johnson
NCAA.org

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel during its conference call Wednesday tabled an experimental rule that would have allowed re-entry substitution in Division III baseball.

The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee forwarded the proposal in response to requests for additional participation opportunities in the sport, which is part of the Division III philosophy. The rule would have allowed a starter to return to the game after being substituted for, provided he returned to the same position in the lineup. The rule would not have applied to pitchers and designated hitters.

PROP members noted some concerns raised during the membership comment period and also discussed the potential unintended consequences of approving a rule that applies to only one division. Typically, playing rules are uniform among all three divisions, primarily to keep officials who work games in multiple divisions from having to learn different playing rules. Requiring common playing rules also allows interdivisional competition to be handled smoothly.

“This is bigger than one particular sport, and this is a philosophical question for Division III and the playing rules committees in general,” said PROP chair Don Tencher, athletics director at Rhode Island College. “There was strong sentiment from coaches to continue to keep the rules the same, regardless of division.”

Tencher said the matter may be discussed further at PROP’s annual meeting during the January Convention in San Antonio.

“If you have different rules, the game becomes different when people watch it,” Tencher said. “Is that good for the sport and our playing rules? This is an important philosophical discussion and the divisional question is key.”

PROP directed the NCAA staff to collect additional comments from Division III baseball coaches about the re-entry rule and also requested a survey to gauge membership opinion on the divisional issue.

A shift away from common playing rules would have ramifications in other sports. Soccer, for example, has often sought a more liberal substitution rule but has had to abide by the more competitively restrictive rules that allow field players to re-enter the game only once in the second half. That provision exists for all divisions.

Other baseball proposals

While the re-entry proposal was tabled, PROP members did approve proposals regarding the pace of play in baseball. Current rules require pitchers to start their delivery in no more than 20 seconds without runners on base. That rule remains, but an umpire will be required to monitor and enforce the time limit through the use of a timing device. PROP noted that a visible device is not mandatory or expected and that a stopwatch or other timing device would meet the requirements.

If the offense breaks the rule, a strike will be awarded to the count. If the defense is at fault for a delay, a ball will be added to the count.

Additionally, in non-televised games, umpires will enforce a 90-second limit between innings. The Baseball Rules Committee recommended a time limit for televised games of 108 seconds, which the Southeastern Conference used experimentally during its league tournament in May. The committee also acknowledged that the time between innings defers to any television agreements in place with conferences or institutions.

PROP also approved altering rules governing obstruction to provide fielders the ability to make a play on a thrown ball during a play at a base. In the new rule, a fielder who has established himself will be provided the opportunity to field the throw without penalty.

Previously, any contact made between a fielder and runner was technically obstruction unless the fielder had possession of the ball.

Video examples will be collected and distributed to help umpires, coaches and players understand the change. An exception was approved for pickoff plays that require the fielder to have possession of the ball before any contact with the runner occurs.

PROP members also voted to limit offensive team personnel to the warning track area (recommended to be 15 feet) outside the dugout during home run celebrations.

Men’s lacrosse

PROP approved a new rule in men’s lacrosse where a team will have a single 30-second count to advance the ball into the attack area.

The single count will simplify the number of time requirements (counts) that officials use during a game and enhance the flow of the game.

Previously, teams had 20 seconds to advance the ball to the midfield line and then 10 seconds to reach the attack area. Once entering the attack area, teams had to re-establish possession in the attack area every 10 seconds.

PROP also approved adding a mechanic for officials to better implement a stall warning when the ball is outside the attack area. Officials may now signal and vocalize “get it in” when the ball is outside of the attack area and the offense is not making an effort to attack the goal. Previously, only the “keep it in” signal was in place, which required the team to be in the attack area.

Faceoff proposals also were approved. Players who clamp the ball with their stick on faceoffs will be required to get the ball in play quickly. Additionally, pinning or holding the opponent’s crosse in any manner will be penalized with a technical foul. The non-offending team will be awarded possession of the ball if there is a violation. Finally, officials will use a vocal command, “set,” as part of their mechanics to help eliminate false starts during faceoffs.

With regard to student-athlete safety, PROP approved stronger rules for dealing with players who target and contact the head and neck area. The penalty for a violation of this rule will be a one-, two- or three-minute non-releasable penalty at the discretion of the referee.

In other actions, PROP:

• Named John Iamarino, Southern Conference Commissioner, as its next chair.
• Extended the term of NCAA Softball Secretary-Rules Editor Dee Abrahamson for two more years.