Finally, the panel examined adjusting the protocol in such a way that would make the testing procedure more closely replicate field conditions. The additional speed you can generate is offset by a lower mass, however. Changing the swing speeds should make for a more accurate test. The original protocol, finalized in September 1999, stipulated that no changes would be made to the testing procedure or standard until August of 2000. These recommendations will be forwarded to the NCAA's Baseball Rules Committee for discussion at its annual meeting in July.
Bats seem to improve their performance after being used in the field.
The panel instructed Sherwood to collect additional data on the subject. The NCAA will notify manufacturers of the data collected during random testing and reemphasize that bats may fail testing due to workhardening and would be ruled ineligible. The panel noted that manufacturers should be aware that bats could increase performance after use, and should allow room for this increase. The panel also recommended that the NCAA continue to support workhardening experiments in addition to certification testing. Further, the panel recommended that the NCAA collect data to determine the accuracy of the testing procedures.