The following was submitted by Matt Dobbins, a baseball student-athlete from Jacksonville University and member of the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

During this past legislative cycle, a myriad of baseball-specific proposals have swept through my Division I Official Notice. This new legislation is full of changes that will revolutionize college baseball as we know it. Fostered by the Baseball Academic Enhancement Working Group, these proposals aim to decrease the unacceptably low APR in the sport of baseball. However, there is one piece of new baseball legislation that does not affect APR and simultaneously presents a great situation for student athletes.

Proposal No. 07-68 allows baseball walk-ons to be eligible for the one-time transfer exception without having an effect on an institution’s APR. But more importantly, this proposal echoes the mission of the NCAA: to support student-athlete well-being. Currently, baseball walk-ons are forced to sit out a year of competition if they decide to transfer to another Division I institution, which means an additional year with unnecessary monetary expenses for that student-athlete. Should we penalize these student-athletes for taking advantage of greater opportunities for themselves? I think not.

Further, Prop 07-68 forces baseball coaches to make informed decisions when choosing to give walk-ons athletics aid. If a coach decides to award aid to a walk-on, new legislation obliges them to give at least 25 percent equivalency. This presents a dilemma for coaches because they can no longer leisurely toss a book scholarship at a walk-on to persuade them to stay at their institution. Coaches must take a vested interest in their walk-on players via playing time or scholarships, because they will leave otherwise. Does this proposal work in favor of student-athletes? I think so.

Proposal 07-68 cultivates a situation where APR remains unaltered and the needs of the student-athlete will be met. In this momentary period of craziness for collegiate baseball, this proposal provides a little light at the end of the tunnel for baseball student-athletes as we ride this train of transition together.