OMAHA, Neb. — A top NCAA umpiring official had to explain the NCAA rules for hit batsmen as the plunks have been plentiful this College World Series — most notably Monday when Cal State-Fullerton tied the CWS single-team record for hitting five batters.
"If the batter intentionally gets hit by moving or rolling any part of the body into the pitch, the batter shall not be awarded first base," said Dave Yeast, NCAA national coordinator for baseball umpires.
Five more players were hit by pitches Tuesday in the North Carolina-Louisville game and four more in the nightcap between Arizona State and UC-Irvine, bringing the nine-game College World Series total to 37 hit batsmen.
The inside throws became especially important when Irvine's Taylor Holiday was hit for the third time Monday to lead off the 13th inning. Fullerton coach George Horton was ejected for arguing that Holiday leaned into the pitch.
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Holiday was thrown out at the plate, but the Anteaters won the game on the next play.
"The application of this rule requires the umpire to make a split-second determination of the intent of the batter," Yeast said, adding that the Division I baseball committee would review the ruling.
Few hits for winning Tar Heels
Only one team in CWS history has won with fewer hits than North Carolina had Tuesday, and that club scored more runs.
In an opening-round game in 1968, Brigham Young pitchers Ken Crosby and Fred Caviglia combined for a two-hitter against USC. But three errors cost the Cougars as the Trojans won 5-3.
North Carolina had three hits Tuesday in a 3-1 elimination-game victory over Louisville, which also had three hits.
Game of catch, Dad?
UC-Irvine coach Dave Serrano spent a few minutes before Tuesday night's game playing catch with 13-year-old son, Kyle, who stood in center field as his dad threw fly balls from the left field line.
