NCAA 5-2 Positions of the Offensive Team

Positions of the Offensive Team

SECTION 2. The offensive team shall:

a. Follow the original batting order throughout the game unless a player is substituted for another one;

b. Position a base coach in the coaches’ boxes at first base and third base during its time at bat; and

c. Have all personnel except the base coaches, batter, runner(s) and “on- deck” batter in the dugout, bullpen or dead-ball area.

Note: During a pitching change, umpires are instructed to pay particular attention to enforcing the provisions of 5-2-c.

d. After a home run, no offensive team member, other than the base coaches, shall touch the batter-runner before home plate has been touched. Team personnel, except for preceding base runners and the on-deck batter, shall not leave the warning track area in front of the dugout (a recommended minimum area of 15 feet) to congratulate the batter-runner and other base runners.

PENALTY for c. and d.—After a warning for the first offense, ejection from the contest of one of the offending players.

e. No uniformed team members or coaches shall stand near or behind home plate, or behind the backstop while the pitcher is throwing warm-up pitches or pitching to a batter. The on-deck batter is prohibited from being within a triangle created by an extension of the first and third base foul lines. The on-deck batter must be in the vicinity of the dugout.

PENALTY for e.—The umpire first should warn the offender(s), and if the violator(s) do not immediately move away, the individual(s) shall be ejected from the game. If ejected, the individual(s) shall not communicate with eligible team representatives.

f. Nonuniformed team personnel may sit in the stands for the purpose of charting pitches, using radar guns or videotaping a contest. Games and individuals shall not be videotaped from the team’s dugout. Any scouting information shall not be transmitted to the playing field or to team personnel. A team may film or videotape its own game but not games involving other teams. The use of manned video cameras is restricted to the area behind home plate — defined as that area from the outfield cutout behind first base to the outfield cutout behind third base. Filming from beyond this area toward the outfield or any point beyond the outfield fence or wall is not permitted — with the exception of television cameras for the broadcast of a game, including internet broadcasts and video boards. Monitors for viewing live or taped video during a game are prohibited from the dugout or bench area, and all adjacent areas (i.e., athletic training rooms, locker rooms, etc.).

Note 1: Video and communication equipment used to transmit information between coaches, coaches and players, scouts or other team personnel shall not be allowed for intercollegiate competition. Video for scouting, training or teaching purposes may be recorded from any unmanned camera location. No video from manned or unmanned sources may be transmitted for scouting, training or coaching purposes during the contest.

Note 2: The use of telephones, cellular phones, walkie-talkies, etc., is permitted for two-way communication between a team’s dugout or bench and bullpen.

Note 3: Televisions and any live broadcast (e.g., Internet streaming) shall be turned off in the dugout and clubhouse during a game.

Note 4: In-stadium pitch-speed monitors may be used in all games.

PENALTY for f.—The umpire first should warn the violator(s). If the violator(s) does not immediately comply with the rule, the individual(s) shall be removed from the stands or shall receive a post-participation ejection.