USSSA Makes 13U Baseball Bat Standard Changes, Picks New Bat-Testing Lab

VIERA, FLORIDA (August 27, 2019) – United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA) announced baseball bat standard changes in the 13U division for the 2020 season and a transition to a new bat-testing lab, NTS Chesapeake, to validate bats for USSSA slow pitch softball and baseball programs. Starting January 1, 2020, all 13U baseball events and all … Continued

High School Hockey Participation Increases in 2018-19

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (August 26, 2019) – Ice hockey participation increased slightly in 2018-19 at high schools in 18 states and the District of Columbia which play under National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules, according to its annual High School Athletics Participation Survey. The overall NFHS ice hockey participation went up from 44,669 in … Continued

Participation in High School Sports Registers First Decline in 30 Years

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (August 26, 2019) — Participation in high school sports declined in 2018-19 for the first time in 30 years, according to the annual High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The 2018-19 total of 7,937,491 participants is a decline of 43,395 from the 2017-18 school … Continued

NCAA Baseball to Require NOCSAE Chest Protectors in 2019-20

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (August 14, 2019) – The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a proposal that will require all chest protectors used in competition for the 2019-20 academic year be models approved by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). These products meet the NOCSAE standard for protection against commotio cordis, which is … Continued

NOCSAE Issues Clarification About Football Helmet Certification to NOCSAE Standards

OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS (August 12, 2019) – The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) has released the following statement to clarify the organization’s rules related to football helmets. NOCSAE sets test and performance standards for football helmets and the NFL requires that football helmets worn by players in the league meet NOCSAE standards. The … Continued

Protective Equipment Part of NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rule Changes

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (July 30, 2019) — Shoulder pads, commotio cordis chest protectors and the crosse were part of high school boys lacrosse rule changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee at its July 15-17 meeting in Indianapolis. All rule changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board … Continued

NOCSAE Summer Standards Meeting Recap

By Marty MaciaszekTeam Dealer Division Director Here is a recap of the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) Summer Standards Committee Meeting July 26 in Boston, which was attended by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA): Commotio Cordis Protector Changes An addition to Standard ND200-19 requires the NOCSAE logo on commotio cordis … Continued

NFHS, US Lacrosse Make Rules Changes Impacting Sticks, Eyewear for Girls

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (July 23, 2019) — Sticks and eyewear are included in the 12 changes to high school girls lacrosse rules approved for the 2020 season. All rules changes recommended by the joint National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and US Lacrosse (USL) Girls Lacrosse Rules Committee at its June 17-19 meeting in Indianapolis were … Continued

NJCAA Renews Contracts with Spalding for Basketball, Dudley for Softball

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (July 15, 2019) – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has announced contract renewals with Spalding® and Dudley® for five-year agreements. Spalding® will continue to serve as the official basketball while Dudley® will continue its partnership as the official softball of the association.  Spalding®, the parent company to Dudley®, initially partnered with the … Continued

Damaged Bats, Certification Marks Highlight NFHS Softball Rule Changes

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (June 27, 2019) — A new definition for a damaged bat and a new certification mark for bats are among the high school softball rules changes for the 2020 season. The rules changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee at its June 10-12 meeting in Indianapolis were … Continued