Rules Czar for a day
If you were the NCAA Softball rules czar for a day, what rule would you like to see altered/gotten rid of/created?
Go Hokies!
23 Replies
2mo
Now
Heck Cal Baptist score 10 in one inning. TTech scored 8 with 2 outs
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
2mo
Then, eliminate the run rule unless both coaches mutually agree to end the game. This translates into more playing time for more players, and should develop pitching depth over time also. It could also produce some epic memorable games. Top 25 teams can definitely score 8+ runs over 2 innings.
Finally, get rid of the obstruction and forced slide rules. The game got along just fine before these rules came into being. If you’re a catcher and don’t want to get trucked by a runner heading home…..don’t block the plate. Duh.
I might also like to expand the rosters to include 3 or 4 dedicated pitchers who are not allowed to hit, field, or be DP under any circumstances. But I’m probably getting greedy now.
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
2mo
. . . last one makes no sense at all. If you want to avoid alternating pitchers you can do this by rule without "expanding the roster". 25 players is more than enough. Look at the participation data for VT this season. Pete could have achieved exactly the same thing with 20 players. 16 position players and 4 pitchers is about all anyone needs.
(In response to this post by HolidayInnHokie)
2mo
in our case, odds are very few of the starters would have come off in the extra two innings. Maybe more pitchers would pitch. But Lynch, Chatfield, Rohs, Castine, Foster, Mizelle, Yaeger, Aldridge would not have come off. Abromavage got subbed some later in the season for defensive purposes.
(In response to this post by HolidayInnHokie)
2mo
Great thing about SB is the time length of the game.
(In response to this post by HolidayInnHokie)
2mo
. . . valuable than in a 9 inning one.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
2mo
It's an irrefutable fact that there isn't enough quality pitching in collegiate baseball. The proliferation of double digits scores is there for all to see. Add to that the fact the 'mid-week' games are essentially discounted as exhibitions. Why? Teams simply run out of pitching. Reduce the innings thereby increasing the percentage of innings actually pitched by competitive guys.
** Edited by MidloHokie at 5/27/2026, 4:13:47 PM
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
2mo
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
2mo
all the starters come out to let the 2nd and 3rd team play for a minimum 3 innings. Keep score and stats separate off the official books just for bragging rights.
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
2mo
Similar to other sports. I'm sure there's a nice softball complex somewhere in the Greensboro/Durham/Charlotte area. Heck they could host it at Moyer in Salem.
Although I do see both sides of the coin. Having the ACC Tournament at rotating schools allows those schools to make renovations to their facilities and brings in $ for the college towns that host it.
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
2mo
... California, for that matter.
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
2mo
more ACC teams playing each other.
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
2mo
first two weeks in March. All teams travel/rotate through. 45 games over the period could afford six extra league contests for each team. The complex there is to be renovated after the invitational in 2027. I'm sure they will be looking to host as many games as possible to justify the investment.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
2mo
being matched up in a multi-game event at some stadium.
VT vs. FSU, Stanford, Lousville......
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
2mo
75' bases. Not sure of fence distance(s). Fields today meet minimum Little League®️ dimensions, i.e., 60' bases and 200' minimum fences.
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
2mo
I suspect today's women SB players have out grown the old dimensions.
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
2mo
not after 5 innings. Maybe after 6? I don't particularly care, but it feels like it is possible for top 25 teams to potentially score 8 runs in 2 innings (6th and 7th)..... It likely would not happen frequently.
Otherwise, the strike zone needs to be enforced and other umpires should easily overrule each other :)
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
J
jokeenan
2mo
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
2mo
and the true crow hop. The way some of the screwball pitchers step outside the lane is wild that it is never called. Then we have the pitchers who lift their plant foot and then step into the pitch drives me nuts. It's like there are now rules anymore - like there was when Emma Lemley was pitching against certain programs....
(In response to this post by jokeenan)
2mo
(In response to this post by jokeenan)
2mo
Get rid of a lot of subjectivity, more consistent calls
(In response to this post by RoanokeHokie1872)
N
nkhooch
2mo
before softball I think.
** Edited by nkhooch at 5/26/2026, 7:59:53 PM
(In response to this post by Chesapeake_Hokie)