The rules of NCAA baseball differ slightly from rules in high school and major league baseball. The main differences are in the equipment permitted to use and minor changes in pitcher's responsibilities. There is also recommended outfield parameters to follow in terms of measurements to create a consistent field of play.
The Game
The rules of a NCAA baseball game are like any other level. The game is made up two teams with nine players starting for each team. The team that is at bat is the offensive team, and their objective is to score runs by having their batters advance bases through successful hits and runners legally advancing bases by touching each base accordingly. The team that is on the field in the defensive side, and they must prevent the batters and base runners from scoring by "outing" the offensive team three times. The sides switch once three outs are made, and the purpose is to score more runs than the other team.
The Field
The NCAA baseball field contains a 90-foot square infield, in which it is 90 feet to each advancing base. The pitcher is located 60 feet and six inches from the batting plate. The recommended NCAA baseball outfield should have foul poles that are 330 feet away from the home plate at each corner, 375 feet distance from home plate at left and right center field and 400 feet distance from home plate in a straightaway shot. The outfield fence should be 6 to 8 feet high.
The Bat
You can use a wooden or an aluminum bat in NCAA baseball. The wooden bat must not be more than 2.75 inches in diameter at its thickest part and no more than 42 inches long. For aluminum bats, the maximum diameter is 2.62 inches and a maximum length of 36 inches. The weight of the aluminum bat cannot weigh less than three units less than the length of the bat, such that a bat that is 33 inches long cannot weigh less than 30 oz. Each bat must be NCAA approved, and if it isn't the bat will be removed from the game. A player will be called out if a player starts an at bat and is then detected with an unapproved bat. Each bat should also have no marking, tar or tape beyond the 18-inch mark from the knob of the bat.
Difference in Game Play
Aside from the use of different bats, there are minor game play differences in NCAA rules compared with professional baseball. The players in NCAA baseball must wear a dual ear-flapped helmet while batting and base running for safety purposes. The pitcher can be expelled from the game for intentionally throwing a pitch at a batter, and can also be suspended from future games as well. The pitcher can also be used as a designated in the lineup if they are not fulfilling the other position. If a pitcher is replaced as a designated hitter, they are still eligible to pitch in that game.
References
- "NCAA Baseball: 2011 and 2012 Rules," The National Collegiate Athletic Association; 2010
- Major League Baseball: Official Rules
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