NAIA Baseball Rules

The rules that the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics baseball program follows are largely similar to those used by Major League Baseball, with some exceptions. The NAIA modifies its rules each January as part of yearly meetings, and all modifications are included as an appendix to the Official Professional Baseball Rulebook.

  1. Bats

    • The NAIA allows a batter to use a wood or non-wood bat. If he chooses a nonwood bat, it is not allowed to be longer than 36 inches, and can weigh no less than the length minus three ounces (e.g., 36 inches long, 33 ounces in weight). The barrel must not have a diameter larger than 2 5/8 inches and be made of a noncomposite material. The bat must also have an exit speed of 97 miles per hour or less. If an umpire decides that a bat is illegal for play, the bat shall be removed. If this is determined after a batter has completed an at-bat, he shall be called "out" if he reached base. Runners do not advance.

    Substitutions

    • A starting player, other than a pitcher or a designated hitter, is allowed to be removed from the lineup and re-enter the game later once during each game, provided he re-enters the batting lineup in the same position. A courtesy runner is also allowed to be used for the pitcher, designated hitter or catcher positions at any time, provided he is not already in the lineup, and the same runner may not be inserted more than once per inning. The courtesy runner is not "officially" considered to be in the game, but a run scored, stolen base or caught-stealing statistic will be given to him when applicable.

    Designated Hitter

    • A designated hitter is used by the NAIA in a batting lineup for the pitcher position similarly to American League MLB rules. However, if a pitcher is also used as a DH at the beginning of the game, he remains as the DH even if he is taken out of the game as a pitcher. A DH may be moved to a defensive position, but the pitcher must then bat in the same lineup position as the replaced defensive position player, unless additional substitutions are made, in which case the batting lineup may be adjusted by the coach as well. A DH may not be a pinch runner, but he may be substituted from the game for a pinch runner, who will then become the DH.

    Sliding

    • Sliding to break up an out or double-play attempt is not permitted. Sliding beyond a base is allowed if no contact with the defensive player is made. If a runner is on the ground at the time, contact is acceptable. The runner may not attempt to disrupt the fielder by rolling, blocking, using a pop-up slide or attempting to kick or slash the fielder, whether it be a head- or foot-first slide. If the umpire decides that the runner could have avoided collision or was attempting to disrupt the fielder intentionally, the runner is called out. If collision was intentional, he is out and ejected from the game.