News digest, Aug. 8

NCAA adjusts rules

Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.com reports several rules changes were approved Thursday by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel.

Changes include:
* double first base permitted in the postseason.

* bat testing before every game.

* relievers now have a two-game suspension after ejections (previously was four).

* permit one-way communication devices to be used in dugout/coaches box/position players to relay pitch/play call.

* fight rules/ejection rules amended.

* head coach and pitcher now ejected for 'foreign substances' being used on mound.

I don't see an effective date, so I assume it is for the 2025 season.

List of changes

See's hiring made official

Liberty University has made a post on X to welcome Andrew See as pitching coach. Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.com reported last month that the hiring was expected.

See, a former pitching coach at Clemson, will serve under first-year coach Bradley LeCroy, an Upstate native and former Clemson player an assistant coach. Andrew Cox, another Upstate and former player at Clemson, was hired as an assistant earlier this month. 

LeCroy is preparing for his first season at Liberty after serving at Virginia Commonwealth.

Dorsey wants Capital City Stadium revival

Midlands businessman Chris Dorsey is hoping to revitalize Capital City Stadium as a hub for baseball activity in Columbia.

Dorsey, a coach and administrator with the Richland American Legion Post 215 baseball program, recently made a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) lamenting the lack of baseball facilities in Columbia.

Capital City Stadium was once home to minor league baseball in Columbia. Benedict College played there for several years before building a field off Two Notch Road.

There have been one or two proposals for developing the property - one included retail, if I remember correctly - but the facility alongside Assembly Street near the S.C. State Fairgrounds remains vacant.

Dorsey said he has met with Columbia mayor Daniel Rickenmann about efforts to save the stadium. A Facebook page regarding the campaign is here.

Dorsey appears on a YouTube video here to detail his vision for the stadium.

I've been to Capital City Stadium a time or two to watch Benedict. I want to wish Dorsey good luck in his efforts.

Commitment

* Lee Ellis, IF, Fr., South Carolina, to Ohio State.
* Elijah Grant, OF, Westside HS, to Gaston College (had been USC commitment).

* Sims McClusky, RHP, West Orange (Fla.) HS, to Coker, 2025.

* Ethan Suchenski, RHP, P27 Academy, to Gaston College.

* Cameron Vachon, C/1B, Tuscarora (Ohio) HS, to Lander, 2025.

Signing

* Peyton Dhein, LHP, Catawba Ridge HS, VMI