2008 NCAA Rulebook

[greymule]

Who is this "the NCAA" of which you speak?

NCAA stands for National Collegiate Athletic Association. It oversees most college softball, which I have umpired now for several years.

Who from the NCAA is saying this? Is this a quote?

The 2008 Rule Book from the NCAA is saying this, and the following is the quote, from pages 6 and 7:

The other change deemed most significant is the redefinition of the strike zone. In an effort to lower the zone slightly and provide a clear, well-defined upper limit, the committee has rewritten the rule to read: “The area above home plate between the bottom of the batter’s sternum and the top of her knees when she assumes her natural batting stance. When the top of the ball is on or within the horizontal plane and either side of the ball is on or within the vertical plane of the strike zone, a strike is called unless the ball touches the ground before reaching home plate.” This change from the former top edge of the zone at the forward armpit will lower the zone approximately five inches and is in response to overwhelming feedback from coaches through the national survey process and input provided to committee members. This change also brings this text into alignment with the diagram at the end of Rule 11.