NCAA 4-3 Pregame Practice

Pregame Practice

SECTION 3.     a. If batting practice is scheduled and the field is deemed playable, the visiting team must be allowed a minimum of 30 minutes of batting practice on the game field, assuming normal (satisfactory) weather and field conditions.

b. A pitching screen must be provided by the home team. It can be either of an “h” or inverted “t” structure. Its highest point should be a minimum of 72 inches high and 48 inches wide. Visitors should be notified in advance if a screen is not available.

c. It is recommended that the home team provide a batting cage.

d. It is recommended that a screen 8 feet high and 6 feet wide be provided for the first-base area during batting practice.

e. Each bullpen must be provided with a minimum of two mounds with regulation pitching rubbers and home plates and be in satisfactory condition for pregame warm-up for the visiting team. If the visiting pitching mound is not comparable to the home team’s mound, the visiting team’s starting pitcher shall be allowed to prepare for the game on the home team’s practice mound starting approximately 20 minutes before game time.

Note: The visiting team’s head coach first must appeal to the home team’s head coach for a correction of the condition of the practice mound. If this does not resolve the problem, then the visiting head coach can ask the umpire-in-chief for time (not to exceed 20 minutes) to prepare the starting pitcher for the game. This warm-up time shall be within the final 30 minutes before game time.