Wood and Wood-Like Bats Under NCAA Rules

Since the BBCOR certification standard has been implemented, wood bats are making a comeback in NCAA play. For many umpires, the idea of wood bats sounds simple because we all know wood bats are legal in NCAA play, right? Well, not exactly. Bat manufacturers are now offering "wood" bats that look like solid wood, but may not be legal for NCAA play.

Wood Bats (Rule 1-12(a))

The NCAA baseball rulebook describes a legal wood bat. A wood bat must a “smooth, rounded stick” that is less than 2 ¾ inches in diameter and less than 42 inches long. The wood bat must be straight. A grip may be used, but cannot extend more than 18 inches from the end of the handle, where an identification mark is required. A wood bat can have a cupped end up to one inch in depth. One piece wood bats are not required to be certified by the NCAA.  Below is a picture of a one piece wood bat made of maple wood that does not have the NCAA certifying mark on the barrel. This bat is legal.

Two (or more) piece wood bats are required to have the NCAA certifying mark on the barrel. Wood-like bats come in several varieties, like wood composite bats, hybrid bats, and bamboo (note that bamboo is a grass, not a wood). These bats may look like single piece wood bats. Below is a picture of a composite bat that does not have the NCAA certifying mark (currently the BBCOR certification). This bat is illegal.

Below is a picture of a hybrid bat made of maple wood and bamboo that is stamped with the BBCOR certification on the barrel. This bat is legal.

Penalty For Illegal Bat

The NCAA penalty for using an illegal bat is simple: remove the bat, not the player. If the illegal bat is detected after one pitch has been thrown, the batter is out and no runner may advance. Note that the batter is not called out for using a bat that has a loose knob, no safety grip, excessive pine tar, is dented or bent, etc. In these cases the bat is simply removed from the game and any result stands.

Rich Fetchiet Selected to College Baseball Hall of Fame

The College Baseball Hall of Fame recently announced that this year’s recipient of the National Collegiate Umpire Award is Rich Fetchiet. The award, sponsored by Honig’s Whistle Stop, a provider of umpire gear, honors a lifetime of excellence in umpiring.

Fetchiet is only the second recipient of this award, following the inaugural selection of Dick Runchey in 2011. Fetchiet has umpired baseball for 35 years, and has worked three College World Series, including the plate at the 1999 national championship game. He has worked extensively internationally at the 1991 Pan Am Games in Cuba, 1993 World Cup Qualifier in Nicaragua, 1997 Intercontinental Cup in Spain, 1998 World Championships in Italy, the 1999 Cuban National Team’s game with the Baltimore Orioles in Camden Yards, and the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia.

Fetchiet currently serves as Umpire Supervisor for the Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance (CBUA), and is umpire Coordinator/Supervisor for many college conferences including the Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Conference-USA, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Great Lakes Valley Conference, Horizon League, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Mid-American Conference, Mid-Central Collegiate Conference, Missouri Valley Conference, North Coast Athletic Conference, Summit League and is Co-Supervisor of the Big East Conference.

“Knowing who some of the other nominees were made the notification of selection overwhelming to me,” Fetchiet said. “I remain beyond humbled. Perhaps what makes this recognition so special is knowing that it comes from my friends and colleagues in college baseball umpiring. I am deeply grateful and appreciative of this award and look forward to the celebration in Lubbock.”

“The final ballot included three names, and the entire vote count was separated by a mere three votes,” said Mike Gustafson, executive director of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. “That Rich won such a close vote speaks to his work on and off the baseball diamond.”

The award will be presented as part of the College Baseball Night of Champions on June 30 in Lubbock, Texas.

Midwest Ump Goes To RussMatt

The RussMatt Tournament is the largest spring collegiate baseball tournament in the country. Each March, over 200 colleges travel to Florida and Arizona to play baseball under the sun while there’s snow on their fields back home. The tournament hosts all college levels, from JUCO to NCAA Division I. The RussMatt Tournament begins in late February and runs through the end of March.

This year I was able to attend the RussMatt Tournament in Florida. The weather was spectacular, and I was impressed with the quality of umpires and tournament organization.

The Teams

The RussMatt Invitational in Florida is actually two separate tournaments: a junior college tournament hosted in the Tampa Bay area, and a tournament in central Florida centered around Winter Haven.  However, teams are scheduled at a variety of facilities. Most teams stay about a week, but some more northern teams may stay longer.

The quality of play is “average early season college,” which means it can vary greatly. Many of the northern teams are playing their first games during the RussMatt Tournament, so every facet of play can get sloppy. This keeps everyone on their toes!

The Umpires

The umpires are recruited from all over the country. Groups of umpires from New York, the New England area, Colorado, and Chicago make this tournament an annual event. The umpires are very experienced and work at the top collegiate levels in their respective areas.

The games are scheduled as two man crews, regardless of level. An extra umpire can volunteer to get in work as a three man crew, but there is no additional pay. Often top level umpires who also serve as umpire evaluators in their regions will observe a crew and give feedback. The atmosphere is very supportive and collegial.

Umpire Pay and Accommodations

RussMatt umpires are paid $70 for a seven inning game and $80 for a nine inning game. Payday is once per week, and then on your last day. Condominiums are available and the cost will depend on the number of occupants (usually around $20 per night). Some umpires rent apartments and houses for the tournament, some bring their wives and work some baseball while vacationing, and at least one umpire stays in his RV.

Progressive Energy Park in St. Pete

The Fields

For me, the best thing about this tournament was visiting the historic spring training ballparks. Some of these parks are on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The base for the Florida tournament is Winter Haven, and its centerpiece is Chain of the Lakes Park. Built in 1966 it has been the spring training home for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians.

Since this is a huge tournament, there are several college and high school sites. Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale is heavily used as is the Walter Fuller Baseball Complex in St. Petersburg. Other notable sites and their major league spring training teams include:

Henley Field Ball Park (Lakeland)  – Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers

Progress Energy Park, formerly Al Lang Stadium ( St. Petersburg) – New York Yankees; New York Giants; St. Louis Cardinals; New york Mets; Baltimore Orioles; Tampa Bay Rays

Jack Russell Stadium (Clearwater) – Philadelphia Phillies

Tinker Field (Orlando) - Cincinnati Reds; Brooklyn Dodgers; Washington Senators; Minnesota Twins

Organization

The RussMatt tournament is a business and the teams are the customers. You are not working for an association at this tournament and no one will hold your hand. Umpires are expected to work hard and make the customers happy, which can be a foreign attitude to many. A “this is my field” or “this is my game” approach can get you sent home early. Management will stand by a good ejection, but failure to properly manage a ball game can get you fired. With that said, the coaches and players are usually well behaved.

Because of the large number of games, some travel is involved, especially if you do not have seniority. This can mean an hour or more in the car driving to your game site, fighting traffic on one of Tampa Bay’s bridges, or getting stuck in rush hour or accident traffic. The scheduling (generally) takes distance and traffic into account, but arriving on time is your responsibility.

Miscellaneous

• Umpires are assigned one or two games each day. Some umpires request a day off for golf or family.
• Umpires are responsible to text in the score after each game.
• All but a couple facilities have umpire changing rooms and most have showers.
• The busier complexes provide water for the umpires.

Last Words

The RussMatt Tournament in Florida was a great experience! I worked 18 games in 11 days and got a great jump on my college season. One day was very wet, two days were quite warm (upper 80’s), but most days the weather was perfect. One night at Progressive Energy Park in St. Pete was especially beautiful.

The umpires I worked with were also terrific. Not one was substandard, and several had professional experience. They were all good guys - the bad apples are vetted very quickly by management. Each year umpires are sent home early for a variety of transgressions. This tournament is not for the lazy or untrained. You are expected to work hard, be in position, manage the ball game, and be a good partner. If working with excellent umpires in perfect weather sounds good to you, check out the RussMatt website for application information.

Cheats and Rule-Benders

For as long as there have been rules in baseball, players and managers have worked hard to "get around" the rulebook. In some cases trick plays are allowed. Some trick plays are allowed, like the hidden ball trick. Other tricks, like getting a running start behind third base on a sacrifice fly, are not.

Catcher's Pop Fly
The Situation: A runner on first is stealing. The catcher makes a rainbow throw to the shortstop. The runner believes it is a fly ball and scrambles to return to first where he is tagged out by the first baseman.

Variations: in some cases the bench will clang bats together to coincide with the throw. The shortstop may shout out, "I got it!" Other fielders may shout out, "Throw it to first!"

The Rules: there is no penalty for the catcher's throw to the shortstop under FED, NCAA, or OBR. However, under FED rules verbal obstruction is penalized. Clanging bats, and shouts by the defense to confuse or misdirect the runner are penalized as verbal obstruction. There is no verbal obstruction under NCAA or OBR.

"Foul Ball"
The Situation: the runner steals second and the middle infielder tells him it is a foul ball. The runner steps off second and is put out.

Variations: the middle infielder may ask the runner to step off the bag, "The umpire wants me to check it."

The Rules: under OBR and NCAA this play is legal. Under FED it is verbal obstruction. It may also be unsportsmanlike conduct and warrant an ejection at lower levels.

Switched Base Runner
The Situation: a slow runner at second and a fast runner at third. During a time out the offensive coach speaks with his runners. The umpire tells them to get going and the runners hurry back to their bases, only now the slow runner is at third and the fast runner is at first!

Variations: none

The Rules: this is a clear example of cheating and unsportsmanlike conduct. The runners and the head coach should be ejected.  This is also an illegal substitution play. An appeal for the illegal substitution must be timely. In this case, if the batter singles and the fast runner from second scores, the appeal must be made before the next pitch to the subsequent batter. If a proper appeal is made, under OBR the runs score, but the players are ejected. Under NCAA and FED, the runs are discounted, the runners are declared out, and the players ejected ("restricted" for illegal substitution under FED, but ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct).

Hidden Ball Trick
 The Situation: Runner on first. Batter singles and runner moves to third and the throw comes in to the third baseman. While speaking to the third base coach, the runner fails to keep track of the ball. When the runner wanders off the base, he is tagged out. Here is an example of the hidden ball trick successfully used in the Major Leagues.

Variations: the third baseman may pretend to give the ball to the pitcher.

The Rules: this play is perfectly legal. However, the pitcher cannot deceive the runner by placing a rosin bag in his glove. The pitcher may also not stand near the mound to deceive the runner. NCAA rules states that the pitcher may not stand with one or both feet on the dirt of the pitcher's mound; OBR states that the pitcher cannot stand on or astride the rubber if he doesn't have the ball; and FED states that the pitcher may not stand within five feet of the pitcher's plate. If the pitcher violates one of  these rules, any out on the hidden ball trick is discounted, and the pitcher is penalized with a balk.

Skunk in the Grass

The Situation: Runners on first and third. The runner on first takes his lead into the right field grass. The pitcher, is confused and plays on the runner at first. During the tag attempt, the runner from third scores.

Variations:

The Rules: a runner may take his lead in the outfield. The restriction on where a base runner may run applies only when running the bases in reverse order, abandoning a base, or running within a baseline which is established while a play is being made on the runner. Once the runner at first is played on, he must run in a direct line to a base. Usually the "skunk in the grass" will stand still while the fielder approaches and the runner from third inches closer to home.

Wild Throw From The Pitcher

The Situation: Runner at second. The pitcher attempts a pick off, and the short stop dives over the bag. The second baseman runs into center field, the center fielder runs in hard. Here is a video example:

Variations: the first (and most famous) use of this trick play was during the 1982 College World Series. The Miami Hurricanes used a hidden ball trick to pick off the very speedy Phil Stephenson of Wichita State. When Stephenson took his lead from first, Miami pitcher Mike Kasprzak stepped off and faked a pickoff throw. First baseman Steve Lusby dove to the ground then raced down towards the Hurricane bullpen where pitchers Dan Smith and Bob Walker leaped up, acting like they were avoiding the ball. When Stephenson ran to second, Kasprzak tossed the ball over to the shortstop for the tag. The Hurricanes went on to win 4–3.

The Rules: there is generally nothing illegal about a deceptive play. Under FED rules, any verbal obstruction is illegal, such as shouts from the defense or defensive coaches like "get the ball!" or "over here!" A fake tag is also illegal under FED rules.

2012 NCAA Baseball Umpire Clinics Announced

The 2012 NCAA Baseball Umpire Clinics have  been announced. Beginning January 7, the NCAA will host four clinics at locations across the country. The sites are:

Irvine, California

January 7, 2012

Marriott John Wayne Airport

18000 Von Karman Avenue

Irvine, CA 92612

949/261-2020

NCAA Room Rate - $94.00

Cut Off Date – December 15, 2011

Division I Conferences expected to attend: Big West, Mountain West, Pac-12, WAC, West Coast

Chicago, Illinois

January 14, 2012

Westin Hotel O’Hare

6100 River Road

Rosemont, IL 60018

847/698-6000

NCAA Room Rate - $99.00

Cut Off Date – December 23, 2011

Division I Conferences expected to attend: Atlantic 10, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, C-USA, Horizon, Mid-American, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Southland, Summit

Atlanta, Georgia
January 21, 2012

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

265 Peachtree Street NE

Atlanta, GA 30303

404/577-1234

NCAA Room Rate - $139.00
Cut Off Date – December 20, 2011

Division I Conferences expected to attend: ACC, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Colonial, MEAC, OVC, Sun Belt, SEC, Southern, SWAC

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 28, 2012

Philadelphia Airport Marriott

One Arrivals Road

Philadelphia, PA 19153

215/492-9000

NCAA Room Rate - $109

Cut Off Date – January 6, 2012

Division I Conferences expected to attend: America East, Atlantic-10, Big East, Colonial, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Northeast, Patriot.

For more information on the NCAA Umpire Clinics, visit the NCAA Central hub at https://ncaabaseball.arbitersports.com/front/105039/Site/Posts

Article on Bat Warming

College Baseball Daily recently published an article on bat warming. The NCAA is looking into the issue, but as of now bat warming is not illegal at the NCAA level.

Click the preview to read the rest of the article.

Review of Robic SC-522 CountUp & CountDown Timer

The college baseball season is just around the corner and without a doubt the biggest change in 2011 is the NCAA's new timing requirements. If you need to review the rules, here is a link to information. Briefly, the NCAA has implemented a rule that pitchers have 20 seconds to pitch the ball when runners are not on base, and the teams have 90 seconds between innings. To enforce this rule, the NCAA has directed one field umpire to manage a stopwatch.

The new timing rules apply to all NCAA games. I understand that NAIA and Juco may adopt this procedure next year. The NCAA is very serious about increasing pace of play.

My college association sent its members the Robic SC-522 CountUp & CountDown Timer to use on the field. My first game here in mid-Missouri is in late February, so I recently broke out the Robic timer to test it.

The Robic SC-522 measures 3.5" x 2.125" x .625". It weighs 1.5 ounces. It is made of plastic and is black. It fits comfortably in your hand, but is considerably larger than the average indicator.

Operating the Robic is pretty simple. Using the mode button the user can select a clock, the countup timer, or the countdown timer. There is one central stop/stop button, and the controls are located on the front of the device, which prevents accidental stops/starts.

CountDown Timer
The first thing to do is to set the CountDown timer. By holding the set button for about five seconds the far right digit will flash (the "ones" place). Press the reset button to zero all digits. Then press the set button again to advance the flashing digit to the tens place. Then press the big blue "Start/Stop/Advance" button in the center twice to select the number two, and press the mode button. Now the CountDown timer is set for twenty seconds.

Operating the CountDown Timer is easy. Simply press the big blue center button and the timer starts counting down. Press the blue button again and the timer pauses, press again to resume the count down. When the timer reaches three seconds it will start beeping and then change to an alarm when it reaches zero. Pressing the blue button after the timer reaches zero will reset the timer for the next pitch.

CountUp Timer
You can reset the CountUp timer by holding the reset button for about four seconds. Then press the blue button to start/pause the timer. There is no alarm, so the base umpire has to watch the timer if the pitcher gets close.

Price
The Robic SC-522 is sold by Amazon.com for $13.95 (orders over $25 get free shipping); and Ump-Attire for $14.99.

Fair or Foul?
Ideally an NCAA umpire timer would have two countdown timers, audible beeps for the last three seconds, and an alarm when time expires. Ideally the timer would be a little smaller, the size of an indicator would be appreciated. Other than those small complaints, the Robic SC-522 was acceptable.

Don't like the rule? Perhaps the surest way to get rid of it is to vigorously enforce it. The NCAA materials caution umpires against prematurely stopping the clock. For instance, with no runners on, if a pitcher starts and stops his windup, there is no penalty. If he has time left on the clock, he can restart. The NCAA states that starting the windup is not a reason to pause the clock, so when a pitcher begins his windup, do not stop the timer. The end result here is that the alarm will sound with each and every pitch. I would also caution against trying to stop the alarm until after the pitch/play is over - it will take your attention away from your other duties. In fact, letting the alarm sound makes it easier to reset the timer. Simply press the blue button.

Chicago NCAA Clinic: Fun, Food, and Jim Evans!

Hida-hey, baby, don't you wanna go?
Back to that same old place
Sweet home Chicago
-Sweet Home Chicago

The Midwest Region NCAA Baseball Umpire Clinic is back where it belongs: Chicago. Last year’s clinic was moved to Dallas and did not have the same charm or feel . Although, surprisingly, the temperature at both clinics was about the same - cold.

The Chicago clinic was a great success. Friday night I was able to have dinner with Jim Kirk from Ump-Attire and his creative director Amanda Tricase (the designer of their new catalogs). We shared thoughts on umpire equipment and protection over Giordano’s pizza. Fantastic!

The NCAA clinic was presided over by Gene McArtor, NCAA National Coordinator for Baseball Umpires and presenters included Tom Hiler, Director of Umpires, and Jim Paronto, the NCAA Baseball Rules Editor. The clinic was well managed, was brisk and informative, and unlike some clinics in the past, did not end with many unanswered questions.

On Sunday the Collegiate Baseball Umpires Association hosted a morning training session with umpire guru Jim Evans. This 4 hour mini-clinic included tips and instruction on plate mechanics as well as an overview of obstruction/interference. Evans is an entertaining speaker who is genuinely passionate about the art of umpiring. Speaking to a room of generally veteran umpires, it is easy to believe that this presentation was 90% review and maybe 10% new material. In fact, the way Jim Evans demonstrated even simple plate mechanics as heel-toe-heel-toe seemed refreshingly new. Thanks to Jim Evans and Rich Fetchiet of the CBUA for making this training happen. It was appreciated by all who attended.

I counted three vendors at the Chicago clinic: Honig's, Purchase Officials Supply, and Ump-Attire. Support those companies that support you. 'nuff said.

In all the Chicago NCAA Baseball Umpire Clinic was a great investment. One word of caution: the expenses can add up quickly. The NCAA room rate in Chicago was $121 per night, however there were several quality hotel choices close to the clinic site (Hyatt Regency on East Wacker Drive). Some of these hotels are connected by underground walkways and include stores and restaurants. While the hotel restaurants were serving breakfast at over $20 a plate, the Dunkin Donuts in the tunnel not 100 yards away had better coffee and warm donuts for about $6.00 (the breakfast of umpiring champions!). I thought Giordanos two blocks from the hotel was reasonably priced and a nearby Houlihan’s restaurant served a decent burger for around $15 with fries and a drink. An umpire friend from Des Moines was able to take Amtrak and save on gas and parking fees (hotel parking is $35-50 per day). Smart guy.

I'll go next year, hopefully "back to that same old place, sweet home Chicago!"

Pause at the Top of the Windup

When Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige (quite possibly the greatest ever) was finally invited to fully participate in the great American pastime, he brought with him a bag of tricks that major league players had not seen. The most famous was the hesitation pitch, which has been described as a pause at the top of his windup (hands over head), and/or a pause at the height of his leg kick, and/or a pause after his non-pivot foot hit the ground. Big league managers and players cried foul, and while many umpires refused to penalize 'ol Satch, American League President Will Harridge ultimately ruled the hesitation pitch "illegal" and would result in a balk with runners on base.

In 1994, Korean pitcher Chan Ho Park paused at the top of his windup which renewed debate among umpires, players, and managers. Park soon changed his windup, but the next year Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo used a similar hesitation windup. Since that time MLB umpires have turned a blind eye to hesitations at the top of a windup, especially from Asian pitchers.

Now the NCAA has codified this hesitation during the delivery in the new 2011-2012 NCAA Baseball rulebook at 9-1(a), A.R. 2. Rule 9-1(a) discusses the pitcher in the windup position and is almost identical to the Official Baseball Rules (OBR) 8.01(a):

a. The Windup. The pitcher shall stand facing (shoulders squared to) the batter, with the pivot foot on or in front of and touching the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher’s entire free foot shall not be in front of the pivot foot.

From this position, any natural movement associated with the delivery of the ball to the batter commits the pitcher to pitch without interruption or alteration. The pitcher shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in the actual delivery of the ball to the batter, the pitcher may take one step backward or sideward and one step forward with the free foot.

A new Approved Ruling to Rule 9-1(a) states:

A.R. 2—A pitcher may pause during his delivery from the windup position without penalty.

There is no similar "approved ruling" in professional baseball.

This approved ruling seems to swallow the rule and permit the pitcher to pause at any time during his delivery. However, according to NCAA Secretary Rules Editor Jim Paronto, the intent of this ruling is to allow the hesitation at the top of the windup common with Asian pitchers and often imitated at the amateur level. Hesitations or pauses at other times are still illegal.

One question that remains unanswered is "how long?" Park would often hesitate so long that hitters would back out of the box and the umpire would grant time. NCAA Rule 7-1(b) directs that the batter "shall not leave his position in the batter’s box after the pitcher comes to the set position or starts the windup unless permission is granted by the umpire." The NCAA Approved Ruling instructs umpires to grant time once the hitter is in the box for "safety reasons only."

So the conundrum is whether or not to grant time when a pitcher decides to "freeze" the batter by "hesitating" for an extended period of time. Granting the hitter time in violation of the rule benefits the batter, while denying the batter time gives the pitcher a large advantage.

It will be interesting to see how this new rule is stretched, bent, and abused during the coming two season during the NCAA rules cycle.

Banned Bats List

BESR, BBCOR, composites. . .

My goodness, can't we just play ball?

Well, Mr. Umpire, you had better do your homework before you step onto the field. Below are links to information on certified and banned bats that may show up on your field.

NFHS Certified and Banned Softball Bats

NFHS Softball Rule 1-3-5 indicates that in order for a bat to be legal it must: 1) meets the ASA Bat Performance Standard, and 2) be labeled with the permanent ASA approved certification mark. If both aspects of this rule are not met, the bat does NOT meet NFHS rule specifications. In addition, all bats shall meet the other specifications in Rule 1-3-5.

For a list of ASA approved and banned bats, click here.


NFHS and NCAA Certified Baseball Bats

For a list of NFHS and NCAA BESR and BBCOR certified bats for 2010, 2011 and 2012 see the NCAA Certified Bats Web Site hosted by the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

NCAA Extends Baseball Season

Back in April the NCAA Division I Legislative Council passed a legislative act extending the college baseball season from 13 to 14 weeks. The added week is to be played at the beginning of the 2010 season, in February. This decision has created a backlash from Northern colleges, notably teams in the Big Ten Conference.

“We are in favor of an extra week at the end of the season — not the beginning,” Minnesota Gophers assistant coach Rob Fornasiere said. “The extra week goes against what the Big Ten stands for, which is creating parity and equality between teams.”

In July the Legislative Council reviewed its decision after receiving a petition against the new rule. The Council decided to sustain the prevision decision. An override vote will take place at the 2010 NCAA Convention.

As of the date of this writing the NCAA baseball season has been extended, so be sure to stock up on cold weather gear!

NCAA Umpiring Bulletins

The NCAA publishes video bulletins for its umpires each year. Here are a few links to past years:

NCAA Umpiring Bulletin #2 - April 1, 2004

NCAA Umpiring Bulletin #1 - March 1, 2005

NCAA Umpiring Bulletin #2 - April 15, 2005

NCAA Umpiring Bulletin #3 - April 22, 2005

NCAA Umpiring Bulletin #5 - May 6, 2005

NCAA Umpiring Bulletin #6 - May 13, 2005