NCAA 1-15 Protective Equipment
Protective Equipment
SECTION 15. a. Batter’s Helmet. It is required that every player wear a double earflap protective helmet while batting, on deck and running bases. No player will be allowed to bat or run the bases without wearing such a helmet. All batting helmets must bear the manufacturer’s certification indicating satisfaction of NOCSAE test standards. Helmets that are cracked, split or broken shall not be worn. Tape of any kind on the helmet is not allowed and must be removed from the game. For speeding up play, it is recommended that the base runner continue to wear the same helmet worn while batting. It is required that all designated nonroster (other than a coach and player) bat/ball person(s) wear a double earflap protective helmet while performing their duties.
PENALTY—If an umpire observes a player wearing an illegal helmet before coming to bat, while at bat or while on base, the umpire shall instruct the player to change to a legal helmet without penalty. If the player refuses to change helmets, the player shall be ejected from the contest.
b. Catcher’s Throat Guard. It is required that all catchers have a built-in or attachable throat guard on their masks.
c. Catcher’s Helmet and Face Mask. It is required that all catchers shall wear a protective helmet and face mask when fielding their position, warming up a pitcher (i.e., between innings) or catching in the bullpen. It is recommended that all catcher’s helmets bear the manufacturer’s certification indicating satisfaction of NOCSAE test standards.
PENALTY for b. and c.—The player shall not be allowed to catch but shall not be ejected from the contest.
d. Elbow Pads. (1) A player is permitted to wear one (1) elbow protection pad that does not exceed 10 inches in length, as measured when the pad is lying flat.
2) A nylon pad shall surround the shell of any elbow protection equipment.
3) No player may wear a nonstandard elbow protection pad, or any pad designed to protect the upper or lower arm, unless the player has an existing elbow or other arm injury and the team carries with it the following documentation:
a) A letter identifying the player and describing the nature of the injury and describing the proposed elbow protection pad;
b) A physician’s report diagnosing the injury; and
c) A physician’s determination of length of time the protective pad will be necessary.
e. Hard Casts. Any hard cast must be padded and covered.
