NAIA Rules Differences NCAA Meeting January 29, 2011 Chicago, IL

CBUA Conferences

NAIA rules are based upon the Official Professional Baseball Rulebook (w/ some modifications) If interested in a professional rule book, they can be purchased at most large bookstores (Borders, Barnes & Nobles, etc) or by calling

Professional Rules that apply The coach is allowed 1 trip to mound per pitcher per inning. There is no 3 trip limit for the game (like NCAA). If a second trip is made to the same pitcher in the same inning, the pitcher must be removed from the game. The removed pitcher cannot be moved to another position. Two trips cannot be made to the same batter. –Try to stop the coach… –If he will not, eject him (for going through your stop sign). If he got out before you could catch him, there is not ejectioin. –Make the pitcher finish that batter. Then eject the pitcher. The new pitcher only gets 8 warm-up pitches.

Professional Rules that apply… (cont.) A defensive player may “block” the runner (from bag) while in the “act of catching the ball”. This is sometimes referred to as imminent catch. –This usually occurs when the first baseman drops his knee while receiving a ball on a pickoff attempt. –Another situation occurs when a fielder drops their knee on a steal attempt. –The last common scenario occurs during a play at the plate. The catcher can block the plate if he is in the act of catching the throw. Once he has had attempted to field a ball he can no longer block legally (interference).

The bat… (like NCAA)The bat… (like NCAA) Re-entry…Re-entry… Courtesy Runner…Courtesy Runner… Injury (blood rule)... (like NCAA)Injury (blood rule)... (like NCAA) Courtesy Player…Courtesy Player… 10 Run Rule…10 Run Rule… Intentional Walk…Intentional Walk… Designated Hitter…Designated Hitter… Force Play Slide… (like NCAA)Force Play Slide… (like NCAA) Collision Rule… (like NCAA)Collision Rule… (like NCAA) Pitcher to mouth… (like NCAA)Pitcher to mouth… (like NCAA) Fight Rule… (like NCAA)Fight Rule… (like NCAA) Tobacco Rule…Tobacco Rule… Ejection/Suspension proceduresEjection/Suspension procedures NAIA Modifications

The bat: –Just like NCAA rules… –Must be of constant radius (max of 2 5/8”). –May not be more that a -3 (weight to length). –Must be marked with a BBCOR (stamp or sticker). Must have a BBCOR less than or equal to –May not have foreign substance (pine tar) more than 18” up from the end of the knob (pro rule). –We still must check the bats before each game. –Keep eliminated bats within eyesight or locked up. NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Re-entry: –Each starting player (w/ the exception of the pitcher and the designated hitter) may reenter game once. –The starting pitcher and designated hitter may not re-enter even if they have moved to another position. –This can only be done if the reentering player remains in the same spot in the batting order. –A defensive substitution may not be made unless the team is playing defense at the time. NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Courtesy Runner: Courtesy Runner: (not formally entered the game) –Each team has the option to use a courtesy runner for their catcher or pitcher/designated hitter (when hitting for himself). –The courtesy runner must be an eligible substitute. He may not have played, pinch hit, pinch ran etc. –The courtesy runner may not be removed from base in order to pinch hit or pinch run. –This does not apply to a pinch hitter for the pitcher or catcher. Catcher standing on second base (in NAIA World Series) (Reentered catcher after inch hitter got on. Then they put in a courtesy runner). –The same courtesy runner may not be used for both the catcher or the pitcher in the same inning. NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Injury (blood rule): Injury (blood rule): Same as the NCAA Designated Courtesy Player: Designated Courtesy Player: (A legal substitute may be used in place of an injured player & not be in lineup) – CP be allowed to enter game for an injured player until that player (all actions are not on CP’s record) Returns to the game. 2.The injured players turn in the batting order has come up. 3.If the pitcher is injured, he must be ready to assume his position on the mound (pitch) the next inning. –At that time (situation 2 or 3), the coach must enter the CP into game, substitute another legal player into that slot or the injured player must return to game. NAIA Modifications cont.) …

10 Run Rule: (this applies to regular season games only) –The 10 run rule shall be in effect at the end of five complete innings (or 4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead) in a seven inning contest. –In a 9 inning contest, the same rule will apply to the seventh inning. –The run rule may be waived by both coaches in the pre-game conf. If not discussed the run rule is in effect. Intentional Walk Procedure: –On an intentional walk, the batter will simply be waive to first base. –No pitches are to be thrown and the ball remains in play NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Designated Hitter: Designated Hitter: A des. hitter may (not required) bat for starting pitcher (& any relief pitcher). –The DH must be selected before the game and must be included in the lineup. (DH in batting order & pitcher in 10 th slot) –If a team elects not to use a DH, they are not allowed for the remainder of the game. –The starting pitcher can be declared as the designated hitter. He will then be considered a pitcher/DH. Must be declared on the line up (not assumed as in NCAA). –A starting pitcher can remain the DH if he is removed from the game as a pitcher (provided he was listed as the DH prior to the game). NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Designated Hitter (cont): –Pinch hitters for the DH may be used (becomes new DH). –A replaced DH may not reenter into the game in any capacity. –The designated hitter may enter the game defensively. This removes the DH role. He then becomes like any other player. The pitcher will then have to bat in the slot of the removed defensive player. This is why he should not be put in the batting order on lineup card. (It is possible to have a double switch.) NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Designated Hitter (cont): –A pinch runner may be used for the DH (he becomes new DH). –A DH position is locked in the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made to alter the batting rotation of the DH –Once the pitcher is switched from the mound to another defensive position, the DH’s role will be terminated for the remainder of the game. The removed pitcher, now a defensive player, will bat in the slot left by the eliminated DH. –Once the pitcher bats for the DH, the DH’s role will be terminated for the remainder of the game. NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Force Play Slide Rule: (Just like old NCAA rule) Runner must legally slide or move in a direction away from the play in force out situation at all bases or plate. A legal slide is either into the bag or away from fldr. If the fielder, in his attempt to make a play, is moving directly down the line (not beyond) between the two bases and proper contact (legal slide) is made, interference shall not be called. Runners may slide through the bag as long as contact is not made.

NAIA Modifications ( cont.) … Force Play Slide Rule (Cont) The runner may not do any of the following… –use a rolling block or cross-body block –pop-up slide into the fielder –go over or beyond the base and contact fielder (no contact is OK) –Slash or kick the fielder with either leg (must be below the knee. –Grab the fielder trying to turn DH.

NAIA Modifications ( cont.) … Force Play Slide Rule: NAIA vs NCAA Diag. Legal Sliding Area NAIA Fielder Protected NCAA OK if no contact No Pop Up Slides

Force Play Slide Rule: (Just like old NCAA rule) –This is the plate man’s call in a two man system, if he does not have a potential play at the plate. This call should be made out in the infield grass. Move!!! –The plate umpire should call interference if sees that the runner’s action causes the fielder to change his pattern of play, which causes a bad throw or prevents the throw or an attempt. (Beyond OK if no contact) –If the runners action is flagrant, he shall be ejected. –If a batter-runner intentionally interferes with his batted ball or the fielder fielding a ball, with an obvious double play, the batter-runner is to be declared out and also the runner closest to the plate (loc of DP not important). NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Collision Rule: (Similar to NCAA) –When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who is clearly in possession of the ball or is in the act of fielding a thrown ball, the umpire will judge… Whether the collision by the runner was avoidable or unavoidable. Whether the runners was attempting to reach the plate (base) or attempting to dislodge the ball. –If the umpire judges that the runner could have avoided the collision or was attempting to dislodge the ball, the runner will be declared out (even if the ball is dropped). ( The ball is dead and runners will return to the base they touched before the time of the collision.) –If the collision was judged to be flagrant, the runner will be called out and ejected from the game. –If the collision was unavoidable or if runner executes a legal slide, it will be considered a legal play. NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Pitcher going to his mouth: (like NCAA rule) –A pitcher is permitted to go to his mouth on the dirt portion of the mound as long as he is not on the rubber and that he wipes it off before going to the rubber. NAIA Modifications cont.) …

Fighting Rule: –The initial participants involved in a fight will be ejected from that contest and suspended for his team’s next contest (game 2 of a DH). The umpires will report the names to the appropriate conf. comm. & assignor. –Players leaving their position or bench area to participate in an altercation shall be ejected from that game and will be accessed a one game suspension by the league office (not game 2 of DH). Umpires will report names to the appropriate conf. comm. & assignor. CALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GAME!!! NAIA Modifications cont.) …

AMC Tobacco Rule: (Similar to NCAA rule) –Anyone seen in possession or using tobacco shall be ejected immediately (no warning). –There is not ejection of head coach. NAIA Tobacco Rule: –Tobacco is prohibited. –Only coaches or school administration can enforce the tobacco policy. –Umpires stay out of it. NAIA vs AMC Tobacco Policy…

Ejections: (minimum one game suspension) – –Online form is available on CBUA central hub. Suspensions: –We are not the suspension police. If there is an issue about a suspension, let the player/coach participate, then contact the assignor immediately after the game. NAIA Ejection Policy…