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 a sudden blow to or near the heart that causes cardiac arrest.

A 20-second action rule in baseball will be enforced before all pitches in the 2019-20 academic year. It will be optional for a school to have visible clocks to keep the time between pitches. If no visible clock is used, one of the base umpires will keep the 20-second time limit on the field.

If the pitcher is at fault for violating the 20-second action rule, a ball will be awarded in the count. If the hitter violates the 20-second action rule, a strike will be awarded in the count. The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee proposed the change to enhance the pace of play.