Experimental rule allows challenges on called pitches
Rules addressing technology in baseball were approved by the Division I Baseball Oversight Committee and the Division II and Division III Playing Rules Oversight Panel this month.
The technology rules include giving teams the option, when available, of implementing a system to challenge called balls and strikes that could be used in regular-season and postseason games for the upcoming season. This will be an experimental rule in all divisions for the 2027 season.
The Southeastern Conference experimented with a challenge system during its conference tournament in May.
Teams also have the option of using bat sensor technology for in-game data collection. Division I teams experimented with this rule the past two seasons.
One area where the Division I Rules Subcommittee wanted to take a step back is the use of technology to communicate offensive signals. Division I teams no longer will be allowed to use electronic devices to communicate with their offensive players during a game. Subcommittee members wanted to avoid any situations where a batter could have an advantage due to an electronic communication device before a pitch is thrown.
Other rules changes
- The use of 18-inch square bases for next season will be permitted at all facilities in all three divisions, while 15-inch square bases remain the standard.
- A double first base is required for all games.
- The number of allowable offensive conferences in a game will increase to six. This includes batters’ request to reset the action clock. Like defensive conferences, a coach will be allowed to be involved in a maximum of three offensive charged conferences, plus one additional conference in the event of an extra-inning game.
- In games using video review, teams can make a video challenge to see any play that could result in a fair ball call being overturned to foul and any tag play, regardless of the location.
- In Division I only, a 30-second timer will be used between batters, as well as during mound visits and offensive timeouts.
Additional experimental rules
Conferences in all three divisions could receive approval to experiment with allowing pitchers only two disengagements from the pitcher’s plate per batter. A third disengagement would be considered a balk unless the pickoff attempt results in an out.
Also, pitchers entering a game would be required to face at least three batters unless the inning ends before three batters could be faced.
