Calendar

LEADERSHIP

NCAA accepting applications for minority leadership institute

The NCAA currently is accepting applications for its Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males. The deadline for completed applications to be submitted is April 16. The institute is designed to prepare diverse leaders in intercollegiate athletics through a 12-month leadership-training and skills-development experience.

Enrollment will be limited, and each participant must complete four weekend development sessions on leadership and administration; human resource management; finance and fund-raising; and booster, public and media relations before enrolling in the week-long intensive workshop.

Additional information and application materials can be found on the NCAA Web site (www.ncaa.org), at the education programs, grants and research link on the home page.

STAFF CONTACT: Arthur Hightower (ahightower@ncaa.org)

SOFTBALL RULES

First bat-swing field testing scheduled in Oklahoma City

Funding has been approved for the NCAA Softball Rules Committee to conduct an inaugural bat-swing speed field test on collegiate fast-pitch players. The committee will conduct the testing over Memorial Day Weekend in Oklahoma City.

The NCAA has used the Amateur Softball Association's bat standard since 2001 and will complete the testing in conjunction with the ASA's Equipment Standards Committee.

The softball rules committee believes the testing will provide a scientific indication of the direction it should head with bat standards.

The ASA 2004 bat standard is based on field testing completed in the last 18 months on male slow-pitch players. Laboratory research and mathematic calculations indicate that the standard is applicable to fast-pitch because there is far greater reaction time for a slow-pitch batter and the incoming speed of the pitch is less of a factor than swing-speed in the bat-ball collision.

The rules committee is looking for 10 Division II and Division III right-handed, power hitters in the Oklahoma City area to participate in the test on Sunday, May 30, or Monday, May 31. Interested parties should contact Heather Perry at the NCAA (hperry@ncaa.org or 317/917-6141).

STAFF CONTACT: Heather Perry (hperry@ncaa.org)