Quick Take
In 2020 NCAA introduced two major bat rule changes: mandatory compression testing to prevent tampering and a ban on white bats to enhance pitcher safety. These measures address growing concerns about equipment compliance and visibility during games.
For the 2020 season, NCAA baseball (not High School Baseball) is implementing a couple of bat rule changes. These include details on the White Bat ban and compression testing before each game.
Compression Testing Before Each Series
Compression testing is standard college fastpitch bat procedure stuff. However, the NCAA baseball world has yet to enforce it during the regular season. They do it in the NCAA World Series, and each bat gets certified before it can be taken to the plate. You’ll see a small sticker on each bat in the NCAA World Series. NCAA baseball has also decided to make that a requirement in the regular season. This starts with the 2020 season.
There is serious concern among coaches about bat tampering.
These tests will be done before a series starts. You can read more about the NCAA ruling here.
Here, we also discuss why a compression test might be useful for modified bats. But we stand by the idea that the real telltale sign would be WEIGHING the bats. Shaved bats lose a significant amount of volume on the inside of the barrel and, therefore, drive down the total weight. Most bats in the BBCOR space are 1 to 3 ounces heavier than their stated weight. Shaved bats would be close to spot-on or under their weight.
White Bat Ban (NCAA only)
Also, for the 2020 season, the NCAA is no longer allowing white bats. This is a safety concern that will allow pitchers to pick up the ball earlier off the bat—assuming its coming right back at him.
This white bat ban is NOT FOR HIGHSCHOOL.
The rule applies to every bat. So, even older Adidas Aero Burners, CAT 7s or Beast Whiteout Speeds from Easton will be retroactively made illegal.
How White Is Too White
We can’t get much clarification on how white is too white of a bat. We’d guess things like white writing and logos are fine. But bats with a white base and background color (like the 2019 Marucci CAT 8 or 2019 DeMarini Voodoo Balanced) would be illegal in NCAA 2020 play.
The most important white bat in the BBCOR space will be Marucci’s CAT series. But that bat has enough iterations (like the Camo CAT and the OTM CAT 9) that the average NCAA player could find a replacement. JustBats’ blog has a decent write-up about this issue, too.
