Consensus on Bat Not Reached

The debate over new standards for non-wood bats in the 1999 NCAA baseball playoffs now goes to the organization’s Executive Committee, after a Division I governing body failed Tuesday to reach the same consensus as those reached in Division II and Division III.

The Division I Championships-Competition Cabinet agreed with the other two boards that the bats’ maximum allowable diameter should be decreased to 2 5/8 inches and that their weight differential should be increased.

But the cabinet did not include a specification that would limit the exit velocity of batted balls to 93 mph.

The rule change, aimed mostly at aluminum bats, was designed to make them behave more like wooden bats.

The NCAA says batted balls off aluminum bats achieve such velocity--up to 113 mph--that they pose a danger to players, especially pitchers who might not have time to recover from their pitching motions in time to protect themselves.

Another concern was that aluminum bats have caused an increase in home runs, changing the way the game is played.

The latter concern was underscored in the 1998 College World Series title game, in which USC beat Arizona State, 21-14. The teams combined for nine home runs.