It was the 1st HR we've seen all fall season... Hit with a Marucci Black 33"...
Now, the kid is a big kid, and he probably could have poked it out with any bat... But it got me thinkin'... So, I e-mailed FHSAA.org (Florida High School Athletic Association) and NFHS.org (National Federation of State High School Associations) to see how come this bat could be de-certified by the NCAA, and is currently NOT on the certified WSUSports Science Lab BBCOR list: http://www.mme.wsu-ssl.org/certifiedbaseballbats.aspx, but yet can still be used by High School players, and umpires cannot do anything about it...
Here's the correspondence I had with both organizations:
Subject: Marucci Black 33" & 34" BBCOR
To: cbroska@fhsaa.org, ehopkins@nfhs.org
The NCAA has decertified Marucci Black 33" & 34" BBCOR, will the FHSAA follow this ruling in the Spring 2013...?
Marucci Black 33" & 34" BBCOR is currently NOT on the certified WSUSports Science Lab BBCOR list: http://www.mme.wsu-ssl.org/certifiedbaseballbats.aspx
June 6, 2012 NCAA Decertification MEMORANDUM:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t...WG8BEq7BzIxd_dwzMZkA
Please advise.
The 1st nfhs Response >>>>>>>>
From: "Elliot Hopkins" <EHopkins@nfhs.org>
To: me, <cbroska@fhsaa.org>
Thank you for your inquiry. Due to the volume of calls and e-mails
please accept this general response. As per our announcement in July of
2009, the NFHS has adopted the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution
(BBCOR) performance standard for non-wood bats. The effective date was
January 1, 2012. We have adopted the NCAA's research, approved list of
BBCOR bats. You can find that list on the following website,
http://www.mme.wsu-ssl.org/certifiedbaseballbats.aspx. I would suggest
that you reference that list of approved or unapproved bats frequently
because there is often significant movement between both lists.
However, any specific bat compliance questions should be directed to
your local high school state association.
Please note that the National Federation of State High School
Associations only writes playing rules for high school sports. We do
not have any jurisdiction or interpretation responsibility for any other
rules codes (i.e. Babe Ruth, Pony, Little League, Dixie Baseball). I
would recommend that you contact that national rules writing body for
any questions regarding their baseball bat interpretation.
With regard to the latest decertification of the Marucci and the Reebok
products, the length that is affected is the 33-inch (Marucci only)
33-inch and 32-inch Reebok non-wood baseball bats. The NFHS cannot
speculate on other lengths of bats at this time.
Thank you again for your correspondence.
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA
NFHS Baseball Rules Editor/National Interpreter
E-Mail: ehopkins@nfhs.org
Phone: 317-972-6900
Fax: 317.822.5700
www.nfhs.org
The 1st fhsaa Response >>>>>>>>
from: Cristina Broska cbroska@fhsaa.org
to: Elliot Hopkins <EHopkins@nfhs.org>, ME
In addition to Mr. Hopkins' e-mail, the FHSAA relies on the list of approved BBCOR bats at the following link: http://www.mme.wsu-ssl.org/certifiedbaseballbats.aspx
The FHSAA can also not speculate on other lengths of bats besides the bats the NFHS has specifically stated are not BBCOR approved.
I apologize for the inconvenience.
Cristina Broska
Director of Athletics
Florida High School Athletic Association
My Response >>>>>>>>
Subject: Re: Marucci Black 33" & 34" BBCOR
From: ME
To: Cristina Broska <cbroska@fhsaa.org>
Cc: Elliot Hopkins <EHopkins@nfhs.org>
Thank you for your immediate responses...
On two other NCAA desertification memorandums by the NCAA (Marucci
Cat-5, Reebok Vector), the FHSAA and NFHS both issued non-compliant
memorandums immediately following the NCAA decision.
Both the Marucci Black 33" & 34" BBCOR were decertified by the NCAA on
June 6, 2012, they are currently NOT on the certified WSUSports
Science Lab BBCOR list... Yet the FHSAA or NFHS has NOT issued a
non-compliant memorandum.
Will there be a non-compliant memorandum issued?
The reason I ask is because players are still using this bat and
umpires are not removing them from games, because there's confusion
and there hasn't been non-compliant memorandum issued.
Thank you.
The 2nd nfhs Response >>>>>>>>
from: Elliot Hopkins EHopkins@nfhs.org
to: ME, Cristina Broska <cbroska@fhsaa.org>
We are aware of the decertifications that are outstanding. I am limited in my response regarding those bats due to a legal issue. We are on top of the situation. I would appreciate your patience in this matter. It is challenging for all involved. Thank you again.
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA
Director of Sports, Sanctioning and Educational Services
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
PO Box 690
Indianapolis, IN 46206
>>>>>>>>
So, does this mean Marucci has also filed suit against the NFHS as well? Is there a temporary restraining order preventing the decertification at the NFHS level? I wonder how long this will take? Will it last into the Spring '13 season?
