Ejections for high hits gets approval

INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA has announced the playing rules oversight panel approved a new rule that would allow officials to eject players who target and contact defenseless players above the shoulders, effective for the 2013 season. The ejection would be in addition to the existing 15-yard penalty.

Under Wednesday’s decision, players would be ejected for the remainder of the game if the penalty occurs in the first half. If the foul occurs in the second half or overtime of a game, the player is ejected for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next contest. The ejection portion of the penalty can be subject to a video review.

Other approved changes:

• Add a 10-second runoff with less than a minute remaining in either half when the sole reason for the clock stoppage is because of injury.

• To establish three seconds as the minimum amount of time required to be on the game clock in order to spike the ball to stop the clock. If one or two seconds remain on the clock, there is only time to run one more play.

The panel denied a proposal to require an institution’s uniform to be different color than the field, a decision that involves Eastern Washington with its red turf.