CONTACT: Paul J. Wetzel
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MIAA APPOINTS TASK FORCE TO STUDY
WOOD BASEBALL BAT RULE PROPOSAL

Franklin, MA – Dec. 5, 2002 - - The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) has appointed a nine member Task Force charged with conducting a review of the proposal to use only wood bats in baseball. The Task Force has been asked to first determine if there is a compelling safety reason that requires the Board to enact an "emergency rule" to use wood bats in the upcoming 2003 season.

The Task Force will review existing information on the issue of metal vs. wood bats, develop protocols for interested parties to provide information to the Association through the Task Force, and report to, and provide recommendations to the Board. The Sports Medicine Committee submitted a rule change proposal calling for wood bats during the summer. As the proposal began to work its way through the MIAA’s rule change process, the Sports Medicine Committee voted to withdraw its support for the idea.

Meanwhile, the Baseball Committee voted in favor of the proposal and asked the MIAA Board to consider making a temporary rule change for the 2003 season. In addition, the Baseball Committee voted to use wood bats in the 2003 tournament, a decision that stands separately from the permanent rule change proposal. "In light of these conflicting views, the Board is requesting the Task Force to consider a resolution to these differing views, and to bring a consensus recommendation for our consideration." Jeffrey Long, MIAA President said.

The Task Force will be chaired by Stephen Woodcock, MIAA Vice President and Principal of Arlington High School. Other members include representatives of the MIAA Baseball and Sports Medicine Committees and the Massachusetts State Baseball Coaches' Association.

It is expected that the Task Force will hold an organizational meeting this month, at which it will establish a schedule for conducting its review of the issue. If it determines a temporary rule change is not needed, the Task Force will complete its work and report to the MIAA Board by April 1, 2003.

Task Force members are:

Chairman: Stephen Woodcock, MIAA Vice President and Principal of Arlington High School

From the Baseball Committee:

• Thomas Pileski, Baseball Committee Chair and Athletic Director of Brockton H.S.
• Patrick Jackman, Principal – Taunton High School
• Lincoln DeMoura, Superintendent – Norton Public Schools
• Thomas Suchanek, Athletic Director - Greenfield High School

From the Sports Medicine Committee:

• Alan Ashare M.D.
• Robert McQuaid, PAC
• Jeff Stone, Athletic Trainer

From the Massachusetts State Baseball Coaches' Association:

• Bill White, President