CONTACT: Paul J. Wetzel
617-451-9663

BASEBALL BAT TASK FORCE TO HOLD
OPEN MEETING ON JANUARY 15

Franklin, MA - Dec. 26, 2002 – The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Task Force reviewing a proposed rule change to use wood bats will hold an information gathering meeting on Wednesday, January 15. The multi-session meeting, will begin at MIAA headquarters at 9:00 a.m

Task Force Chair Stephen Woodcock (Arlington High School Principal) announced the morning session will be dedicated to presentations from selected parties with technical and statistical information regarding the issue of wood vs. metal baseball bats. Many of the parties have provided information recently to the MIAA Sports Medicine and Baseball Committees, or to other organizations.

The second session will provide an opportunity for representatives of MIAA member schools, coaches and umpires, as well as for the general public to express their views on the subject. While the presentations will be limited in time, the Task Force is committed to hearing from any interested party. Written materials also are welcome. People interested in speaking must advise the MIAA in writing or e-mail PSmith@miaa.net by January 10. It is the intent of the Task Force to provide a forum to all interested in this issue so as to relieve the Board of Directors and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council (MIAC) of presentations during their meetings when rules are considered.

The Task Force was recently appointed by the MIAA Board of Directors and asked to determine whether the Board should issue a temporary rule change calling for wood bats for the 2003 regular baseball season. (The MIAA Baseball Committee already has mandated wood bats for the 2003 MIAA Baseball Tournaments.) The Task Force was also asked to make a recommendation on the permanent rule proposal calling for wood bats, which ultimately will be decided on May 22 by the MIAC. The Sports Medicine and Baseball Committees have previously developed differing recommendations on the rule change, causing the Board to ask the Task Force to attempt to resolve those differences. In addition to Mr. Woodcock, who is Vice President of MIAA, the Task Force includes representatives from each of the two committees and the President of the Massachusetts State Baseball Coaches' Association.