NFCA WRAP
The Arizona Ballroom at Tucson's Marriott Star Pass was strangely quiet. The fierce, sometimes bitter, debates of previous years were not replicated Saturday as six proposals, almost guaranteed to spark controversy, were on the table but no motions wer offered by their sponsors.
There had been informal debates in caucus on (1) a proposal to NCAA to eliminate the eight-run rule; (2) a proposal to NCAA to amend the rule on the eight-hour non-traditional workouts to allow more field time; (3) a proposal to amend NFCA's Division III rankings to reflect NCAA tournament outcomes; (4) a proposal to the National High School Federation to change the highschool pitching distance to 43 feet; (5) a proposal to NFHS to allow HS players to wear metal cleats. A proposal by an umpires group to redefine crow-hopping was also not advanced. All six were on the table, but the notional sponsors did not offer them, so no votes were taken.
SPY had hoped for an opportunity to reconsider the limited recruiting calendar proposal now before NCAA but there was no NFCA vote to reconsider because the proposal was not voted upon in 2005 by NFCA, but was forwarded to NCAA by a newly-recreated head coaches committee.
SPY is receiving email from travel ball coaches and sponsors of some smaller tournaments who oppose this change, many seemingly unaware until they read the proposal this week in SPY. These opponents are writing to NCAA in advance of its January meeting. Proponents of the change argue that travel ball tournaments can still be held -- but without college coaches except during the four-week window. True, such tournaments raise money, often for good causes, and travel ball teams do get needed competition, but a primary purpose of most fall tournaments is exposure.
SPY worries that a few mega tournaments will draw the college coaches, and fewer players will be seen.
SPY will offer an editorial opinion to NCAA next week.
If the 8-run rule had been open on the floor, SPY would have offered an amendment to eliminate the run-ahead rule in championship contests, at the NCAA and ASA levels. Delegates also discussed in caucus a number of ideas which did not result in motions, such as early verbals. SPY thinks early verbals have gotten out of hand, so do many of the college coaches here. At the recent Batbuster, some college coaches expressed a hope that some younger players, including a 2010 pitcher, would consider early verbal commitments. If a majority of NFCA D1 coaches wanted to stop early verbals, they have the power -- just stop accepting them. But, if a few of the power schools continue to accept early verbals, then every one has to accept them to remain competitive.
Legislative recommendations to the rule-making bodies -- NCAA, ASA, NFHS -- are but one part of the annual agenda. The real meat and potatoes are the workshops featuring some of the best coaches and assistant coaches in the business, as well as Olympians, covering every facet of the game.
More, NFCA rewards members who reach coaching milestones at every level. Not least, NFCA honors inductees to its Hall of Fame, a formal affair, which this year honored UCLA's Sue Enquist, Michigan's Carol Hutchins, and Eastern Connecticut's Clyde Washburn. The speeches are usually well prepared but the highlight are the videos reviewing a coach's career. Watching those players from the past and present, a number of whom were on hand, brings back a raft of pleasant memories -- and adds to the feeling of family -- which of course permeates the hours of socializing after sessions.
PEOPLE
The Stork will be visiting Nevada's Michelle Gardner and women's majors standout Venus Taylor.
Lisa Fernandez introduced her son Antonio, a very bright-eyed one year old.
Peaches James, the former Nebraska star, is rehabilitating at NU after surgery on her right arm.
Drop a card to Bill Fossatti, father of former collegiate standouts Courtney (Arizona) and Lindsay (Fresno State). Bill has complications from surgery. Email: sndflvn@aol.com