TOURNAMENT MANUAL

Baseball (SPECIFIC TO A NEUTRAL SITE EVENT)

[UPDATED 2/2019]

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Baseball Tournament Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sections Pages

1. Academic Impact – Departure Requirements ..............................................................................3

2. Awards and Honors......................................................................................................................3

3. Awards Presentation ....................................................................................................................3

4. Ball ...............................................................................................................................................3

5. Bat ................................................................................................................................................4

6. Bat Testing ...................................................................................................................................4

7. Coaches’ Meeting ........................................................................................................................4

8. Dates of Tournament....................................................................................................................4

9. Drug Testing ................................................................................................................................4

10. Dugouts ......................................................................................................................................4

11. Equipment and Facilities............................................................................................................5

12. Field ...........................................................................................................................................5

13. Format for Tournament ..............................................................................................................5

14. Home Team ............................................................................................................................ 5-6

15. Inclement Weather .....................................................................................................................6

16. Jewelry .......................................................................................................................................6

17. Lightning Policy.........................................................................................................................6

18. Media Services ...........................................................................................................................6

19. NCAA Clock Protocols..............................................................................................................7

20. Number of Players .....................................................................................................................7

21. Practice Policies .........................................................................................................................7

22. Pre-Tournament Press Conference ............................................................................................7

23. Protests .......................................................................................................................................8

24. Rules ..........................................................................................................................................8

25. Selection and Seeding of Participants ................................................................................. 8-10

26. Staff ..........................................................................................................................................10

27. Starting Times ..........................................................................................................................11

28. Team Uniforms ........................................................................................................................11

29. Tournament Manager’s Responsibilities ........................................................................... 11-12

30. Tie Breaker for NCAA Automatic Qualifier and Tournament Champion ..............................12

31. Umpires .............................................................................................................................. 12-13

Attachments

Sample Bracket ........................................................................................................... Attachment A

Standard Roster Form ................................................................................................. Attachment B

Bat Testing Protocol ................................................................................................... Attachment C

Bat Testing Reporting Form ....................................................................................... Attachment D

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Section 1. Academic Impact - Departure Requirements

Conference championship/ tournament events are subject to compliance with the conference

academic impact model such that participation shall result in no more than two missed final

examinations and no more than two missed class days or as specified in this section.

Based on the current dates and format, no team shall depart earlier than 12 pm (local time) on the

Tuesday prior to the start of the tournament on Wednesday (only applies to teams whose academic

year has not officially ended). Waivers to depart earlier shall be administered by the Joint Group

members (i.e., Faculty Representative, Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator) on

each campus. Guidelines and applicable waiver form can be found at:

http://office.bigten.org/manuals/

Section 2. Awards and Honors

A. A team award and the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament award will be presented

to the Conference tournament champion/automatic qualifier and respective student-athlete.

(Effective with the 1998 Tournament) All-tournament team members will be announced

and shall receive a certificate.

B. All awards shall be ordered and purchased by the Conference office.

C. There shall be no commercial sponsorship of individual or team awards.

D. Individual awards are provided for the All-Conference team and for Coach, Player, Pitcher

and Freshman of the Year. These awards will be shipped to the award recipient's institution.

E. See Part III (Conference Awards and Honors System) of the Big Ten Championships

Manual for information about the All-Conference team, all-academic team, media honors

and other awards authorized for athletes in the sport of baseball.

Section 3. Awards Presentation (Editorial Revision 3/14)

There shall be an awards ceremony to present the tournament award for the winner of the Big Ten

baseball tournament as well as to recognize the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. The

tournament winner is awarded the NCAA automatic qualification berth and the Conference

champion is determined by the best winning percentage of games played during the regular season

Conference schedule.

Section 4. Ball

A. The Rawlings R-1 NCAA ball will be used for the 2017-21 Conference Tournaments

provided Rawlings meets the specifications requested by the Conference in its agreement.

(Revised 1/00, 2/06; Effective 2/06; Editorial Revision 4/10; 2/14, 7/17)

B. The host shall have 80 dozen balls, all provided by Rawlings, on hand to start the

tournament. (Revised 2/04, 2/06; Effective 2/06)

C. The umpires shall rub and examine four dozen balls prior to the start of each game.

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Section 5. Bat

For regular season games and the Big Ten Tournament, only bats that meet the specifications

allowed for use in the NCAA Division I baseball championship will be used. (Revised 1/99, 2/04;

Effective 2/04)

Section 6. Bat Testing

The Big Ten Bat Testing Protocol and Reporting Form are outlined in Attachment C and D.

Section 7. Coaches' Meeting

There shall be a participating coaches' meeting with the baseball Coordinator of Officials the day

preceding the tournament, immediately prior to the press conference. The purpose of this meeting

shall be to review final arrangements regarding the tournament. The names of the umpires will be

distributed but the specific game assignments will not be available until approximately one hour

before each game. The conference shall notify the umpires and coaches of the time and location

of the meeting. (Revised and effective 2/08) If possible, the host shall arrange for a coaches’ lunch

following the meeting and preceding the press conference.

Section 8. Dates of Tournament

The Conference tournament shall take place on the weekend prior to the NCAA Championship

Regional and shall begin on a Wednesday. (Revised and effective 10/4-5/99)

Section 9. Drug Testing

As part of its comprehensive drug testing program, the Big Ten Conference will conduct drug

testing at a number of Conference championships and tournaments each year. Drug testing may

occur at any Big Ten championship or tournament and any student-athlete on the travel squad

(including a nonparticipating or injured student-athlete) is subject to drug testing. Specific

information regarding drug testing protocols can be found in Appendix F of the Big Ten

Conference Handbook. (Effective 8/1/07)

Section 10. Dugouts

The home team shall occupy the third-base dugout. Teams waiting to play are expected to stay

clear of the dugouts until the teams in the preceding game have had an opportunity to remove their

equipment and teams vacating the dugouts shall be encouraged to depart as soon as possible. If a

team plays back-to-back games on the same day, there is no need to switch dugouts. (Revised and

effective 2/04)

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Section 11. Equipment and Facilities

A. The host shall furnish all facilities, equipment, and other game essentials which shall

meet NCAA specifications.

B. It is recommended that the host shall have the following facilities available:

1. A warm-up bullpen for both teams, and

2. A secondary hitting area or field for batting practice.

Section 12. Field (Revised and Effective 2/04)

In order to avoid cancellations due to wet grounds, the host shall provide a reliable rain cover for

the entire infield. This cover shall be placed on the field the day before the tournament, unless the

condition of the field does not warrant this action.

Section 13. Format for Tournament

A. The Conference tournament shall be conducted according to an eight-team format using

the schedule of games shown in Attachment A (Revised 10/4-5/99, 3/02; 10/7/13, 2/19;

Effective 2/19).

B. All tournament games shall consist of nine innings, and shall be completed to nine innings

if delayed for any reason.

C. A game may be stopped after seven innings if one team is ahead by at least ten (10) runs.

D. If a game is called before nine innings are played and the decision to postpone is made

before 10:00 p.m., the game shall be completed the next day prior to the regularly scheduled

games. If a game is called before nine innings are played and the decision to postpone the

game is made after 10:00 p.m. (local time), the game shall be continued as the second game

on the following day (after the first regularly scheduled game of the day has been

completed). If the game has not started by 11:00 p.m. (local time) and the decision is made

to postpone, the game shall be completed the next day prior to the regularly scheduled

games. (Revised and effective 01/18)

Section 14. Home Team

The highest-seeded teams from the final Conference standings shall be the home teams for the

first-round contests. In subsequent games, the home team shall be determined according to

the following formula:

1. The team that has been the home team the fewer number of times shall be designated the

home team.

2. If the two teams are equal in this respect but unequal in the number of times they were the

visitor, then the team that has been the visitor more often will be designated the home team.

3. If the two teams are equal in the number of times that they have been home and visitor,

tournament manager shall observe the following procedures in the order stated:

a. The team that was visitor in its preceding game shall be the home team, unless both

teams were visitors in their preceding games.

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b. If the two teams have met previously in that particular tournament, the visitor in

the previous game shall be the home team in the game in question.

c. If the above procedures do not resolve the matter, the highest seeded team shall be

the home team.

Section 15. Inclement Weather (Revised and Effective 2/04)

A. The Big Ten Conference representative, in consultation with the protest committee, shall

have the authority to cancel a game and start a game. Umpires may only halt play once the

game has started.

B. Continuation of the game shall be under the absolute jurisdiction of the umpires and the

Big Ten Conference representative, in consultation with the protest committee.

C. If possible, a game shall begin no later than one hour after the scheduled starting time.

Section 16. Jewelry

Student-athletes are prohibited from wearing on their bodies any type of jewelry in all Big Ten

regular season or championship competition. (Revised 5/99, Effective 8/99)

Section 17. Lightning Policy (Revised and effective 2/01)

A. The host’s lightning policy shall be followed provided it is at least as stringent as NCAA

guidelines.

B. When the host does not have a lightning policy, NCAA guidelines shall be followed. See

Appendix F of the Big Ten Championships Manual.

C. If a lightning policy will be used that differs from NCAA guidelines, this policy will be

communicated by the host to the participating teams and officials prior to the start of the

tournament.

Section 18. Media Services (Revised 2/06, Editorial Revision 10/10; Effective 10/10)

The host, in conjunction with the conference office, shall have the following responsibilities with

regard to media services:

A. Arrange for the media needs of all teams.

Note: All contracts for radio and television rights for Conference tournament shall be

approved and administered by the Commissioner's office. All radio rights receipts shall

accrue to the tournament account.

B. Administer the credentials of all media personnel.

C. Provide the official scorer for the games.

D. Sale of the program at the tournament shall be the responsibility of the host. Revenues

incurred during the conduct of the tournament shall be included in the tournament receipts

portion of the financial report due to the Conference office.

E. Distribute the results of the games to all appropriate media outlets.

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Section 19. NCAA Clock Protocols (Effective 2/11)

NCAA clock protocols monitoring the time allowed between pitches and innings shall be managed

by umpires on the field.

Section 20. Number of Players

A 27-player roster shall be submitted to the official scorer and head umpire using a standard form

approved by the conference office at the coaches' meeting the day prior to the tournament (see

Attachment B). All players on these rosters are to have been certified eligible and must have their

names on file as such in the Conference office. Only these players shall be eligible to play in the

Conference tournament. (Revised 2/04, 2/12; Effective 2/12)

Section 21. Practice Policies (Revised 12/95, 2/09, 2/14; Effective 2/14; Editorial Revision 10/10)

A. All teams shall have an opportunity to practice on the official playing field one time prior

to the opening day.

B. The times for practice shall be assigned by the host.

C. This information shall be sent in advance.

D. All batting practices will take place in the respective indoor batting cages at, except on the

practice day in which batting practice shall occur on the field (Note: Location of batting

practices (i.e. batting cages or on-the-field) is subject to change prior to any tournament

game as assigned by the tournament manager). All teams will be assigned times in the

batting cages on the Tuesday prior to the Tournament. The batting cages will be open 2

hours prior to the start of each game and will be exclusively available to those teams

playing in each game.

E. The following timing sheet will be used for the second, third or fourth games played each

day:

+60 minutes - Field Prep

+35 minutes - Home Team Practice

+25 minutes - Visiting Team Practice

+15 minutes - Field Prep

+10 minutes - Umpires/Coaches Meeting at home plate

+5 minutes - Introductions/National Anthem

+0 minutes - First Pitch

Section 22. Pre-Tournament Press Conference

The host, in conjunction with the conference office, shall arrange for a press conference to be held

the day preceding the tournament. Each participating coach shall be provided an opportunity to

speak to the media.

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Section 23. Protests

A. There shall be a Protest Committee, consisting of the Conference office representative, the

chief umpire and the tournament manager, who shall chair the Committee.

B. The Protest Committee shall handle all protests.

C. All protests are decided by the Protest Committee and must be decided before play can

continue.

D. The procedure for protest shall be as follows:

1. The coach making the protest must protest to the umpire-in-chief.

2. The umpire-in-chief immediately takes it to the Protest Committee.

3. The Protest Committee, after discussion, either upholds or denies the protest at that

time. Their ruling is final.

4. Protests must be made when the action happens. No protest can be made after a

succeeding play or pitch is made.

5. A game ending protest can be made before the umpires leave the field. The umpires

should be instructed to wait several minutes on the playing field after the game has

ended. They should not run directly off the field after the last out. They should

allow some time for a possible protest.

Section 24. Rules

A. NCAA rules shall be followed, except as modified by the Conference Handbook and this

manual, and where required by local ground rules.

B. The local ground rules shall be given to all participating coaches and the umpires before

the tournament begins.

Section 25. Selection and Seeding of Participants (Revised 10/99, 4/00, 10/10, 2/13, 10/13;

Effective 10/13)

A. The tournament shall consist of eight (8) teams.

B. If a team is on suspension, it shall not be eligible to participate in the conference tournament.

If a suspended team is among the top eight finishers in the final regular season standings, all

teams shall move up one place in the final standings for the purpose of determining the

automatic qualifying teams.

C. The top eight teams in the final regular season standings based on winning percentage of

scheduled conference games shall automatically qualify for the tournament. Tie games shall

be counted in the standings as one-half win and one-half loss. These top eight teams will also

earn seeds #1-#8 based on the final regular season standings and using the below tiebreaking

procedures, if necessary.

1. If two teams are tied in the final regular season standings, the following tiebreaker shall be

used to determine the automatic qualifier and/or higher seed in the conference tournament:

a. If the tied teams have not played each other as part of the conference schedule, move

to the next step in the tiebreaker process. If the two teams played each other as part of

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the conference schedule, the winner of the game or series of the games between the two

tied teams shall automatically qualify for the tournament and/or earn the higher seed.

b. If the teams are still tied, the team with the best winning percentage against Big Ten

common opponents within the conference schedule shall automatically qualify for the

tournament and/or earn the higher seed.

c. If the teams are still tied, the team with the best overall RPI shall automatically qualify

for the tournament and/or earn the higher seed.

d. If the teams are still tied, automatic qualification to the tournament and/or higher seed

shall be determined by a flip of the coin to be conducted by the Commissioner (or

designee).

2. If three or more teams are tied in the final regular season standings, the following tiebreaker

procedure shall be implemented to determine the automatic qualifier(s) and/or higher seed

in the conference tournament:

a. If all of the tied teams have not played each other as part of the conference schedule,

move to the next step in the tiebreaker process. If three or more teams are tied and they

have all played each other as part of the conference schedule, the team(s) with the best

winning percentage(s) in these head-to-head games shall automatically qualify for the

tournament and/or earn the higher seed. If one team is separated as a qualifier and/or

higher seed and any of the other teams remain tied based on head-to-head winning

percentage, see Section 24. C.3. If two teams are separated from the group at the top

then those two teams will begin the tiebreaker process for two teams (Section 24.C.1)

from the beginning and if any of the other teams remain tied based on head-to-head

winning percentage, see Section 24. C.3. If three or more teams are separated from the

group at the top, then those tied teams will begin the tiebreaker process for three or

more teams (Section 24.C.2) from the beginning and if any of the other teams remain

tied based on head-to-head winning percentage, see Section 24. C.3.

b. If three or more teams are still tied, the team(s) with the best winning percentage(s)

against Big Ten common opponents within the conference schedule shall automatically

qualify for the tournament and/or earn the higher seed. If one team is separated as a

qualifier and/or higher seed and any of the other teams remain tied based on best

winning percentage against Big Ten common opponents within the conference

schedule, see Section 24. C.3. If two teams are separated from the group at the top then

those two teams will begin the tiebreaker process for two teams (Section 24.C.1) from

the beginning and if any of the other teams remain tied based on best winning

percentage against Big Ten common opponents within the conference schedule, see

Section 24. C.3. If three or more teams are separated from the group at the top, then

those tied teams will begin the tiebreaker process for three or more teams (Section

24.C.2) from the beginning and if any of the other teams remain tied based on best

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winning percentage against Big Ten common opponents within the conference

schedule, see Section 24. C.3.

c. If three or more teams are still tied, the team(s) with the best overall RPI shall

automatically qualify for the tournament and/or earn the higher seed. If one team is

separated as a qualifier and/or higher seed and any of the other teams remain tied based

on best overall RPI, see Section 24. C.3. If two teams are separated from the group at

the top then those two teams will begin the tiebreaker process for two teams (Section

24.C.1) from the beginning and if any of the other teams remain tied based on best

overall RPI, see Section 24. C.3. If three or more teams are separated from the group

at the top, then those tied teams will begin the tiebreaker process for three or more

teams (Section 24.C.2) from the beginning and if any of the other teams remain tied

based on best overall RPI, see Section 24. C.3.

d. If three or more teams are still tied, automatic qualification to the tournament and/or

higher seed shall be determined by a random draw to be conducted by the

Commissioner (or designee).

3. When determining the automatic qualifiers to the tournament and/or seeding based on final

regular season standings and one or more teams have been separated at the top using one

of the procedures in Section 24.C.2, then the following shall apply to the remaining teams:

a. If three or more remaining teams (which could include one or more multiple-team ties)

are still tied based on the specific tiebreaker used to separate the top team or teams

from the group, all remaining teams will begin the tiebreaker process for three or more

teams (Section 24.C.2) from the beginning.

b. If only two remaining teams are still tied based on the specific tiebreaker used to

separate the top team or teams from the group, the two tied teams will begin the tie

breaker process for two teams (Section 24.C.1) from the beginning.

Section 26. Staff

The following personnel shall be provided for conduct of the Conference baseball tournament:

A. Tournament manager

Note: The host shall appoint a tournament manager who shall not be a Conference

baseball coach or a host Director of Athletics.

B. Eight umpires (revised and effective 11/22/99, 1/13)

C. An adequate tarp and ground crew

D. Ball shaggers and bat boys (the ground crew may serve this function)

E. Ticket takers, program sellers

F. Sports information personnel.

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Section 27. Starting Times (Revised 4/00, 2/04, 2/06, 2/09, 1/19; Effective 1/19; Editorial

Revision 10/10)

A. Starting times of all practices shall be determined by the host.

B. Game times as outlined in Attachment A shall be followed.

C. The final game of the day must begin before 11:00 p.m. local time, or be postponed until

the following day.

D. An individual team shall play no more than two games in one day, not counting suspended

games, with the exception of the final day of the event.

Section 28. Team Uniforms

The visiting team shall wear a uniform of different color than the home team. The home team has

the prerogative of choosing the color it wishes to wear. Example, should the home teams want to

wear white, the visitor has to wear a contrasting color.

Section 29. Tournament Manager's Responsibilities (Revised 2/04, 2/06; Effective 2/06;

Editorial Revisions 10/10, 1/11)

The tournament manager shall be responsible for working with personnel at the host site to insure

that the following duties are performed:

A. Adhere to all financial obligations related to the tournament, as stated within the contract

between the host and the conference.

B. Set the price of, print and sell tickets and assure maximum promotion of the tournament.

C. In conjunction with the conference office, set the time of the games and notify the teams

of when and where the games will be played.

D. Notify the teams where they will dress for practice and games. It is possible they may wish

to dress at their lodging quarters.

E. Notify the teams where they will practice and the times. Practice times for the day prior to

opening day shall be sent in advance to the participating coaches.

F. The conference office shall contact the officials selected by the conference assignor. Host

management shall inform the umpires of the following championship information:

1. Dates of games

2. Starting times of games

3. Remuneration

4. Lodging information

5. Dressing quarters.

G. Notify the visiting coaches of available room block options, as well as preferred eating

establishments. If possible, identify an official headquarters hotel for all teams and

umpires, in order to get a better overnight rate.

H. Arrange a complimentary meeting space at or close to the tournament facility. This room

would be used for the pre-championship meeting of the Protest Committee, coaches, and

umpires to discuss ground rules, tournament procedure, play and rules interpretation. It

could then be used as a press room.

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I. Arrange for a practice field to be used by the teams prior to the hour of their games.

J. Time the infield and batting practice, ask the team to leave the field when their time has

elapsed and ensure that the games start on time.

K. Supervise the ground crew which works for and with the tournament manager (not the host

coach). The tournament manager shall instruct the ground crew as to when and how the

field is to be conditioned.

Section 30. Tie Breaker For NCAA Automatic Qualifier and Tournament Champion

The NCAA automatic qualifier and Tournament Champion shall be the winner of the eight-team

Conference postseason tournament. (Revised 12/9/91, 12/14/92, 10/4/99, 5/02, 2/04, 2/05, 10/13,

3/14; Effective 3/14)

If the baseball tournament cannot be started or is not played to completion, the highest remaining

seed in the tournament shall be used to determine the NCAA Automatic Qualifier. (Revised and

Effective 3/14)

Section 31. Umpires (Revised 2/06, 8/07, 2/08, 10/13; Effective 10/13; Editorial Revisions

10/10, 1/11)

A. The Conference authorizes the payment of game fees, travel, lodging and per diem for eight

umpires based on an eight-team tournament and travel, lodging, and per diem for the

supervisor of umpires. The supervisor of umpires should make best efforts to be present at

all Big Ten Tournament games.

B. The coordinator shall use the coaches' evaluations as a tool in the tournament umpire

selection process.

C. The tournament manager shall notify the coaches of the umpires' names. Specific game

assignments will not be available until approximately one hour before each game.

D. Two umpires shall be designated as the crew chiefs.

E. The Conference shall be responsible for payment of umpires (see Section VII of

Championships Manual).

F. The rotation for umpires working each game shall be that the head umpire is designated as

the home plate umpire for the first game and then the normal rotation around the bases

shall be followed for subsequent games. The supervisor of umpires, in consultation with

the conference office representative, may adjust the rotation during the tournament. A four-

person officiating crew rotation is used.

G. The umpires are to be on the playing field 15 minutes before game time and have the

baseballs for the game. The games should start with approximately four dozen baseballs,

pre-rubbed and examined by the umpires.

H. The umpires are to go to home plate 10 minutes before game time and receive the line-ups

from the coaches. At this time, last minute instructions or ground rule changes should be

discussed.

I. Officiating Conflict of Interest Policy - A person shall not be appointed or retained as an

official if the person’s other employment or conditions might affect the efficiency or

quality of the person’s officiating. The following individuals are prohibited from serving

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as officials for conference events during the regular season and championship/tournament

(Revised 8/07, 2/16; Effective 2/16):

A. Immediate family members;

B. Current coach or individual affiliated with a current program;

C. Individual involved in a personal relationship with a coach/student-athlete;

D. Student at a Conference university.

Any person employed by a Conference university shall only be appointed as an official

if it is deemed by the Conference office that no conflict of interest exists.

No. 3 Seed

No. 2 Seed

No. 7 Seed

No. 6 Seed

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

No. 1 Seed

No. 8 Seed

No. 4 Seed

No. 5 Seed

Loser Game 1

Loser Game 2

Winner Game 1

Winner Game 2

Winner Game 3

Winner Game 4

Loser Game 7

Winner Game 7

Winner Game 5

Winner Game 8

Loser Game 3

Loser Game 4

Loser Game 8

Winner Game 6

Winner Game 10

Winner Game 11

Loser Game 11

Winner Game 10

Winner Game 9

Winner Game 11

Winner Game 13

Winner Game 9

Winner Game 12

Loser Game 12

Winner Game 12

Winner Game 14

Winner Game 11/13

Winner Game 12/14

Big Ten Champion

SATURDAY SUNDAY

Moves to Bracket 2

Moves to Bracket 1

BRAC

KET

1BR

ACKE

T 2

Attachment A

Attachment B

BIG TEN SERIES ROSTER FORM

School: _________________________________ Coach:_________________________________

Name No.

1. ____________________________________________________ ___________

2. ____________________________________________________ ___________

3. ____________________________________________________ ___________

4. ____________________________________________________ ___________

5. ____________________________________________________ ___________

6. ____________________________________________________ ___________

7. ____________________________________________________ ___________

8. ____________________________________________________ ___________

9. ____________________________________________________ ___________

10. ____________________________________________________ ___________

11. ____________________________________________________ ___________

12. ____________________________________________________ ___________

13. ____________________________________________________ ___________

14. ____________________________________________________ ___________

15. ____________________________________________________ ___________

16. ____________________________________________________ ___________

17. ____________________________________________________ ___________

18. ____________________________________________________ ___________

19. ____________________________________________________ ___________

20. ____________________________________________________ ___________

21. ____________________________________________________ ___________

22. ____________________________________________________ ___________

23. ____________________________________________________ ___________

24. ____________________________________________________ ___________

25. ____________________________________________________ ___________

26. ____________________________________________________ ___________

27. ____________________________________________________ ___________

Signature of Coach: ____________________________________________________________

Big Ten Conference

2019 Baseball Bat Testing Protocol

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

• Big Ten Conference institutions will test bats prior to each conference series during the 2019

baseball season for the purpose of ensuring that legal equipment is used in competition.

• Coaches and administrators of Conference institutions are reminded that they are obligated by

the NCAA Baseball Rules to play with legal equipment and to remove any illegal equipment from

play.

• Barrel compression testing (BCT) will be conducted prior to each of the nine (9) Big Ten weekends

during the 2019 conference regular season. Testing will occur prior to the first game of each series.

• Each institution is required to use the G4 SSL baseball bat testing machine for the 2019 Big Ten

baseball season. A G4 SSL tester was provided to each school by the Big Ten prior to the 2018

season. More information on the tester is available at www.barrelcompression.com.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

The home team’s machine is used for testing.

• If the home team does NOT have a working BCT machine but the visiting team does have a working

BCT machine, the visiting team will travel with machine to the series and the visiting team’s

machine shall be used for testing.

• If neither the home team nor visiting team has a working BCT machine, the home team will make

every attempt to borrow a machine.

• If neither team has a working BCT machine AND the home team cannot borrow a machine – the

home team will notify Gil Grimes at the Big Ten office and the visiting team’s head coach and

baseball sport administrator no later than 48 hours prior to the first game of the series. In this

instance, bat testing will not take place. However, institutions are reminded that all NCAA baseball

playing rules (including playing with legal equipment) must be followed.

LOCATION AND TIME OF TESTING

• The home team shall designate the sport administrator, event manager or other administrative

designee to oversee the administrative process of the testing (e.g., conducting and overseeing the

testing and filling out any necessary documentation).

• The head coach (or one of the full-time assistant coaches or other staff member appointed by the

head coach to represent the team) will be responsible for actually testing his team’s bats (e.g.,

physically placing the bats in the machines). The home team’s administrator, event manager, or

other designee will serve as the observer and record the results.

• Both coaches (or appointed designee(s)) will bring all bats to the testing location, as well as their

teams’ stickers provided by the Big Ten.

• Bat testing must be conducted prior to the scheduled start time of the first game of the series.

Attachment C

Testing should take place at a time mutually agreed upon by the two institutions and may take place on

the day prior to the first game of the series.

• Location of the testing will be determined by the home team and communicated via email to the

visiting team’s head coach or designee no later than 48 hours prior to the first game of the series.

• Umpires do not have to be present during testing but should be made aware of when/where

testing will take place.

• Testing shall not be conducted in public view or near fans/media.

TESTING PROCEDURE

1. RING TEST

• A ring test will be conducted to verify the maximum barrel diameter. The bat must pass through

a ring that is 1 inch long and of inside diameter of 2.658 inches.

• A testing ring has been provided to each school by the Big Ten.

• To test for barrel diameter, place the bat vertically on the ground, with the knob up. Place the

ring over the knob, and let it fall.

• If the bat does not pass through the ring, the bat is surrendered and will not be returned for use.

• If the bat passes through the ring from gravity alone (not forcing), the diameter passes and it

proceeds to barrel compression testing.

2. BARREL COMPRESSION TESTING

• A bat tester instruction manual can be found at the end of this document. It is critical that these

instructions are followed closely to ensure accurate and consistent measurements. Also, for a

video that provides instruction on using the bat testing unit, go to

http://barrelcompression.com/info%202.0.html and click on “Baseball Bat Compression Test.”

• On the G4 SSL fixture:

▪ 1250 psi shall be the lowest passing score for metal bats. ▪ 1000 psi shall be the lowest passing score for composite bats. ▪ 800 psi shall be the lowest passing score for non-linear bats.

*The Rawlings Quatro model is currently the only BBCOR non-linear bat.

• At the time of the testing, each team should provide to the home team event manager its Big Ten

Baseball Test Reporting Form with the first four columns already filled out. This will expedite the

test recording process.

• Each bat will be tested approximately 6 inches from the end of the barrel. The bat will then be

rotated 90 degrees and tested again. This constitutes one complete BC test. The highest score of

the two measurements will represent the score for each complete BC test.

Attachment C

• Each bat will be tested a maximum of three times, until it receives two pass results or two fail

results, whichever comes first.

• If after the first two tests:

o the bat has two pass results, the bat receives the appropriate sticker and is ready to be

used in competition;

o the bat has two fails, the bat is considered unacceptable for play and must be

surrendered and will not be returned for use;

o the bat has one pass result and one fail result after the second test, the bat will be

removed from the machine and inspected for cracks. If no cracks are found, the bat will

be inserted into the machine and tested a third and final time.

▪ if the bat has a second pass result, the bat will be identified as passed and the

sticker affixed.

▪ if the bat receives a second failed result, the bat will be deemed unacceptable

and surrendered to the testing team.

• Bats passing both tests will receive a tamper-proof sticker to be placed on the taper of the bat so

that it is easily visible.

• The opponent’s sticker will be placed on bats that have passed (e.g., if Illinois is playing Purdue,

the Illinois sticker is placed on the passing Purdue bat and the Purdue sticker is placed on the

passing Illinois bat.)

• The visiting team shall always travel with its own stickers to be used during the testing. The home

team is not responsible for stickers of the opposing teams.

• The stickers should be removed after the series has been completed.

• The Big Ten office will purchase each institution’s stickers and ship to each baseball sport

administrator prior to the start of Big Ten play.

REPORTING PROCEDURE

• The home team event manager (or administrative designee) will complete the Big Ten Baseball

Bat Test Reporting Form. The form should be submitted via email no later than noon CT Monday

after completion of bat testing for the series to Gil Grimes (ggrimes@bigten.org) at the B1G office.

PROCEDURES FOR FAILED BATS

• A bat that fails the BCT testing prior to a series will be deemed illegal and remain in the immediate

possession of the home team’s event manager until the end of the series.

• The home team’s sport administrator, event manager or appointed administrative designee will

return a visiting team’s illegal bat to the visiting team head coach at the conclusion of the last

game of the series.

• The home team’s sport administrator will maintain possession of a home team’s illegal bat.

• It is the responsibility of the head coach to give the failed bat to his/her baseball sport

administrator upon the team’s return to campus.

• All failed bats shall not be used in any subsequent game.

Attachment C

IMPORTANT: FIXTURE CALIBRATION

It is important to check the calibration of the bat testing fixture before the season and periodically during

the season. To check calibration of the device, insert the red calibration cylinder (that came with the

tester) just as you would a bat. Be sure to center the cylinder under the anvil. Preload to 0lbs as usual and

pull the cam lever. Your compression should meet the tolerances engraved on the cylinder. If the device

is not calibrated, contact the Big Ten office and/or the LV Sports customer service line.

For a video that provides instruction on checking the calibration of the bat testing fixture, go to

http://barrelcompression.com/info%202.0.html and click on “Compressing calibration cylinder.”

Attachment C

*Team representative should fill out the first four columns of this form prior to arrival for testing.

Team: On-Site Administrators:

Date:

Manufacturer Model Number Model NameComposite or

Metal

Ring Test

"P" = Pass

"F" Fail

Test 1

"P" = Pass

"F" Fail

Test 2

"P" = Pass

"F" = Fail

If Necessary

"P" = Pass

"F" = Fail

*The remaining columns are to be filled out by the home team's on-site administrator conducting the testing and sent to the Big Ten office no

later than noon CT Monday following the completion of bat testing for the series.

2019 Big Ten Conference Baseball Bat Testing Reporting Form

Attachment D