News digest, June 29

Division II regional setup may get shakeup

NCAA Division II baseball teams may be getting a new playoff bracketing process that will allow teams to play outside their regions in the postseason.

The DII Championships Committee, meeting earlier this month, recommended the elimination of NCAA bylaw 18.4.3.1, which requires sports committees to pair teams strictly within their region.

The Committee's report stated "While keeping regionalization principles related to selections, consider changes to the division’s championship model concerning regionalization bracketing policies with the goal of reducing first-round conference matchups and maintaining fiscal responsibility.”

In the past, the seven playoff spots in the Southeast Region went to teams from the Peach Belt Conference, Conference Carolinas and the South Atlantic Conference.

If the new guidelines are approved, teams could be assigned to a regional outside their home region. There are eight regions.

Note: The next step was not outlined in the release, but I suspect the recommendation will have to be approved by a vote at an NCAA convention. - Rudy

NCAA

Commitments

* Gavin Creede, 1B.LHP, So., USC Salkehatchie, to Columbia International.
* Josh Foulks, OF, R-Fr., Campbell, to North Greenville.

* Quinton Hall, OF/LHP, Jr., Eastern Kentucky, to Winthrop.

* Tucker Meredith, LHP, Emerald HS, to Presbyterian, 2025.

* Jace Stancil, RHP, P27 Academy, to College of Charleston, 2025.

* Peyton Wilson, IF, Jr., Francis Marion, to Eastern Illinois.