NCSF - what are your thoughts so far ....

[BKWRDKUROUT]

In an effort to boost offense, the Division I Baseball Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to switch from the raised-seam baseball currently used during the NCAA tournament to a flat-seamed ball, starting in 2015. Conferences won't be required to use the flat-seamed ball during the regular season, but all of them figure to adopt the new ball in 2015 in order to prepare for the postseason.

Flat Seams

 

[CityVibesII]

If I may jump the gun on NCSF. I love 3-2, 2-1 ball games. Not a big fan of the cheap HR. Being that said, I understand after the CWS last year, something was going to be implemented and I think this is a good start.

Who knows, now you may see some pitchers growing their index nails a wee bit longer to play with the stitching.

I have a 14 year old who throws a decent two seam, four seam and better and average change-up. I have him practice with a major league ball (we have enough from MLB pre-games). Just to have him concentrate on grip. Then when he throws his middle school or NHFS standard ball, he is that more comfortable. Thought a little too early for him to master a longer index finger nail.


This post was edited on 3/4 12:20 PM by CityVibesII

 

[BKWRDKUROUT]

@CityVibes - no problem - it's best if everyone responds who has an opinion.

 

[SacCoachA]

Raised seams and the BBCOR bats have had such an affect on the game, that while I love a crisp, 3-2 game as much as anybody, I would like to see more balls hit hard and out of the yard. I took my sons to the Elk Grove/Serra scrimmage a couple weeks ago, and balls that used to jump out of the yard are barely getting hit over outfielders' heads. It also seemed to me that the outfielders for both teams were playing very shallow - a direct result of the BBCOR bats.

After all, I was a position player and not a pitcher.

 

[NCSF]

Bkwdk- I've been to a few games and saw it first hand in November at the Cal blue-gold series. No question the results are what they want. They have maintained exit speed but the lower seams have created less drag, thus more long balls. I saw a right handed pinch hitter for Cal hit an oppo home run for Cal against Duke and that just didn't happen- especially with BBCOR bats.

The CWS has become very popular but the last couple years with the combination of a new park with deeper fences, wind blowing in, and BBCOR bats have made the home run extinct. Let's face it- chicks dig the long ball. The news baseballs and the evolution of better BBCOR bats will reward a hitter when he gets into a ball that should leave the park- and now will.

 

[NCSF]

SacCoach- We are sponsored by Marucci and our kids are swinging Cat-6 and they say they are super-balanced and the ball jumps pretty good. What I like is that they are much more reasonable than some out there. I can't believe the prices for bats!

 

[1315]

Marucci sued the NCAA/NFHS in '12 when they didn't approve the CAT52 and some others which did not meet Wazzu's testing of the 0.500 BBCOR standard. They additionally claimed anti-competition stating the big boys (Easton, Rawlings, etc.) had an advantage in the early days of BBCOR testing. The suit dismissed, NCAA will always find ways to juice up the long ball as NCSF states, and thus the lowered seams. My understanding is it's required for Regionals and Omaha but not for pre-season or leagues, but to prepare teams/pitchers, it's already being used. NCSF prob knows which. Also be prepared for schools to move in fences like USD has in LF @310 (although I think Bryant would've hit 20 anywhere!) Any "remodels" will probably include taking anything 330+ down to 315-325. My kids just went 350/340 to 325.

Sac coach- a few series ago at John Smith field there were two absolute crushed bombs. One hit level six of the parking structure! That's enough (plus a missed location) to tell me something's afoot.
This post was edited on 3/6 8:50 AM by 1315

 

[SacCoachA]

NCSF - I have always been an Easton guy, and it is what my sons swing now. That said, I will take a look at the Marucci bat when my boys have to go to the BBCOR bats.

1315 - That is a bomb. The parking structure wasn't there when I was at Sac State!

 

[NCSF]

SacCoach- They make a good bat as well. How does the saying go- It's not the wand, it's the magician.