New NCAA Baseball Recruiting Rules [Update 2023]

New college baseball recruiting rules state that college coaches cannot establish communication with high school students for offers and scholarships. 

This new rule in 2023 is a big game-changer for the NCAA teams. Now, the college officials cannot negotiate with any high school players before the tentative date of September 1 in the junior year. Moreover, Travel coaches and other third parties are also restricted before the date.

This new rule remarks that contacting the HS players is limited, including phone calls and the number of offers.

Now, a player can only get seven offers from the other teams, which will help the athlete to choose carefully without being overwhelmed. Likewise, getting contacted in freshman years is prohibited, which will aid in the student athlete's professional development.

This new regulation will curb the number of verbal commitments, and colleges must send only one executive to talk with the high school Baseball player. The school athletes will not be pressured to make a huge life decision about academics, and now, they can channel this energy into their baseball progress.  

With the rule implementation, the recruiters will have a hard time since they cannot do business as quickly as in past seasons. Before, they could communicate with the students at any stage of their school life, but now it is limited to juniors and seniors only. 

Division 1

The NCAA Division 1 recruiting rules state that contact with a high school athlete before September 1 of their junior season is not permitted.

Once the first day of September starts, the coaches can communicate through phone calls, e-mails, and social media. Official visits are also allowed by the student and their families after this date. However, the athlete cannot visit a Division 1 college more than five times. 

Now, before the senior year commences, from July 4, the coaches and the staff can start visiting the HS player's homes. After the senior season starts, the coaches can communicate with the athletes outside campus premises, but this can happen only three times. 

D1 baseball schools are the most preferred option for aspiring HS baseballers since these give the best baseball exposure at the collegiate level. However, their regulations are also stricter than the other divisions. 

Division 2

The Division 2 recruiting rules tell that coaches and students can come into contact beginning from June 15 after the sophomore year. 

After the date has finally come, the coaches and the athletes can initiate communication. The HS athletes can gain general materials like college brochures, publications, and other NCAA questionnaires.

The coach can also start printing and mailing camp brochures and other necessary recruiting items. They can set up a phone call and even a face-time with their interested players.

If the college staff have to make an off-campus physical visit, they have to do it after June 15, before the junior season. Furthermore, High school athletes can also start visiting the campuses after this day to discuss their commitments.

No restrictions are made on how often a player can visit or remain in contact with one college. 

Division 3

The Division 3 recruiting rules describe that athletes and college coaches can contact each other after January 1 of the junior year. The D3 schools are the most lenient in terms of recruiting regulations.

After the designated date arrives, the college recruiting staff can work full-fledged to talk with their HS athletes without further restrictions. 

The coaches can make phone calls and talk through social media, and other means with complete freedom. There is no limitation on how many times they can speak with the baseballers. Likewise, the students can also receive the recruiting materials any time after January 1. 

The students and their families can make campus visits and can even talk with one of them multiple times. Unofficial visits are also allowed, and coaches can visit the athletes outside the college premises an unlimited number of times. 

College baseball bat rules state that the bat must not exceed more than 42 inches in length and the maximum diameter should be 2.75 inches. 

Moreover, the bat should not have a grip-improving material beyond 18 inches from the handle's end. Likewise, 1 inch of indentation is also allowed. The bat's hitting area should be round in radius and smooth in its finishing area. 

If the player seeks to use a non-wood bat, they must have the object approved per the NCAA certifications. Any foreign substances inside the bat or installment of electronic devices are strictly prohibited. Moreover, every bat requires a precise identification number from the handle's end. 

The bat's barrel has also implemented new rules since the 2020 season. The barrel's color has to contrast with the baseball. Similarly, the bat's end plug and knob should be attached firmly. 

Penalties For Bat Rule Violations

Bat rule violations can result in variable penalties for the team and players. 

If a player is found to be using any sort of modified bat, it is considered an act of violation. When a batter is detected with such altered bats at the first pitch, the umpire will call them out, which leads to an immediate ejection. 

However, if the batter's illegality is detected after a hit, then any run made or base runners' advances will not be counted. The batter is then considered out and ejected from the game.

Similarly, if the baseball bat has no marks or foreign substances, the batter will be called to remove the bat afterward, and a warning will be made for the first offense. Repeated offenses will result in the removal of the player. 

Furthermore, all the NCAA divisions started conducting tests for barrel compression and ring tests before the start of the regular season. These bats must pass this test and then only be brought to the field, or the player will be penalized.