Probably some crying coach who got burned by the old rule and didn't think it was "fair" to count outs made with an improper batter at the plate.
The NCAA rule committee is coach driven (after all, they're the experts, it's their game, and they know what's best for it) and there is a long list of NCAA rule changes that came about by coaches not being happy about the outcome they got under the old rule. With their direct ties to the rule committee, by gosh, they can do something about it!
If that all sounds too cynical, consider these recent rule changes that were all coach driven, most of which went into effect the following season after a high-profile coach was disadvantaged by the old rule:
- Merely holding bat in the strike zone is now a bunt attempt, even if there's no motion to contact the ball.
- A batter hit by a pitch inside the batter's box need not try to avoid the pitch.
- Two nice pretty white stripes alongside the pitcher's plate to define where the pitcher can and can't step.
- Penalties for filling out an incorrect line up card.
- Penalties for touching a batter following a home run, along with requiring teammates to not step into fair territory.
- The elimination of the three-foot running lane to first base.
- Interference rules on a double play that encourage the fielder to take aim at the runner with her throw.
And the list goes on and on...all recent NCAA changes made because some coach got burned and instead of adopting to the rules, they just went ahead and changed the rules!
