Here is a quick rundown of changes to the rule book for the 2015 NCAA baseball season. There are several rule changes outlined below, but these first 3 are now major points of emphasis.
RULE 8 Section 2.d -- Hit By Pitch
The biggest rule change that will draw the most discussion will be the new Hit by Pitch rule. This is a major point of emphasis in umpire meetings this offseason and will continue to be of interest throughout the season. The new rule indicates that the "batter must make an effort or attempt to avoid the pitch regardless of the location of the pitch or the strike zone." This is a change from previous seasons, which awarded the batter first base as long as he did not intentionally position himself to be struck by the pitch. Beginning in 2015, "if a batter makes no attempt to avoid a pitch, he shall NOT be awarded a base."
RULE 7 SECTION 1 -- The Batter's Box
Umpires should use a visual hand motion to indicate that a batter should be in the box. "Common sense" will determine when a strike will be called for an offense.
APPENDIX F -- Time Between Innings
The 90 second clock between innings will be enforced at a much higher rate. Umpire camps/clinics have made this another point of emphasis, and it ties into the batter's box rule to speed up the college game.
Other rule changes are as follows:
RULE 2 Section 26 A.R. 5 & 6 -- Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Players and assistants are not to discuss any call with officials. Any such action results in immediate ejection and an additional 1 game suspension. New for 2015 is the addition of an unsportsmanlike call for conduct toward an opponent or umpire. Players and coaches are suspended for 1 game, while pitchers will receive a 4 game suspension.
Clarification: head coaches ONLY may discuss the call with the officials; however, once the umpiring crew gets together to confer on a call and during any review, the both head coaches must return until the dugout and may not argue any ruling of that play thereafter.
APPENDIX E -- Getting The Call Right
Umpires may seek assistance on any fair ball in the outfield and all foul balls. This applies to any defensive player, but fair balls must be in the outfield only. Catch/no catch changes have predetermined outcomes... No Catch --> Catch = Batter/runner is out and all runners back to original base occupied at the time of the pitch. Catch --> No Catch = Batter is safe at first, and all runners get 1 base from that occupied at the time of the pitch. This call is also reviewable for contests in which replay is in effect.
RULE 5 SECTION 15a.5 -- National Anthem Standoff
The "National Anthem Standoff" has become infamous the last couple of years, and the NCAA rules committee has taken immediate action. They state that this action is "not funny and creates a mockery of the game." Upon a standoff happening, the Head Coach receives an immediate warning, followed by the ejection of the Head Coach and all offending players.
RULE 2 SECTION 1 -- Abandonment
Any runner who leaves the base path heading to the dugout or his defensive position believing the play is over can be called out on the basis of abandonment. This rule does not apply to a batter-runner between the plate and 1st base.
RULE 9 SECTION 1a -- Pitcher's Windup Position
The wording "the pitcher's entire free foot shall not be in front of the pivot foot" has been removed from the rule book to give more latitude to pitchers' stances.
RULE 5 SECTION 7d -- 7 Inning Games
Stand-alone 7 inning games are prohibited and not official contests. Rescheduled 7 inning games that were part of a double-header may be played and count officially on a stand alone day.
RULE 4 SECTION 7 -- Team Uniforms
Beginning in 2015, only players, coaches, and bat boys are allowed to wear the team uniform. Personnel, trainers, and managers are not allowed to be in the team uniform.
RULE 1 SECTION 2b -- Foul Poles
Beginning in 2016, all foul poles must be fluorescent yellow.
