Final 2008 NCAA Rule Changes
 

They were posted yesterday on NCAA's website here.

Strike Zone Language vs Strike Zone Picture
 

Looks like the NCAA strike zone language is not consistent with the strike zone picture shown at the bottom of the "changes" document. The problem is the bottom of the strike zone. Is it defined by the "top of the ball" as stated in the new words or is it the "bottom of the ball" as shown in the picture?

As much as this pains me ;) , I have to agree with Ed here.

Not too impressed with the need for an anatomy class to umpire a ball game. At least the armpits are relatively visible to all. Good luck with some of the umpires trying to figure out where a player's sternum is located :eek:

You could get arrested for that! :cool: :rolleyes:

Now that's strange...

I've referenced that NCAA diagram before, using it in some internet discussions on the strike zone and in some training classes for local leagues.

That IS NOT the same as the existing diagram. The existing diagram shows the top of the ball touching the horizontal line at the knees. It can be seen here: NCAA On-Line Rule Book (page 152).

The diagram has been wrong in the past, too; they recently got it fixed to match the wording of the rule. My guess is they used an old diagram to be altered, rather than the newest.

I like sternum as a definition. I read that as (pardon my language, ladies) meaning "no ball in the boob", or no ball in the sports-bra. Picture her with one or the other, and the entire ball must be below that point.

Can't think of a more PC way to describe it than the sternum; and I like the location, as one everyone should be able to live with.

I see a new trend of not wearing sports bras in the near future...

Wait...maybe I have that backwards. :D

I, too, feel that sternum satisfactorily describes the top end of the zone in this PC day and age.

how the heck am i suppose to see the very bottom of the ball crossing the top of the knees? (as per the diagram) maybe if i use the scissors stance? ohhh thats right... i dont do NCAA ball .. never mind :D

Really, it isn't that hard at all.

While on paper a "line" more like what is being called, I don't believe it provides any clearer than the umpires bringing the top of the zone down by about a ball.

And to Steve's point, not all players are built alike so your reference point is just as spotty.

I wouldn't bet that the "zone" as called is going to change that much with this definition.

After researching several sites with definitions and diagrams of the sternum I have come to the conclusion that the top part of the sternum is just below the top of the shoulders. Is this where the NCAA actually wants the top of the strike zone to be?

The best definition and diagrams I found were here:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DG

And it shouldn't. Here's the rationale sent to us along with the rule change:

"This language eliminates any discrepancy and is now aligned with the strike zone diagram in the rules book that coaches prefer and is most commonly called on the field."

And yes, I can see the "forward armpit" better than the bottom of the sternum. I can also see someone being run off the field for calling that a strike at any level above league ball. Maybe ASA should bring their wording in line with what's being called on their fields as well.

I'd guess not... the rule change document says "bottom of the sternum" ;)

It already is in line with what ASA wants called, if you read the WHOLE book, and not just the playing rules section. The arm pits are the starting reference for determining the top of the zone. The bottom of a pitched ball just touching the arm pit level is not in the strike zone as defined and instructed by ASA.