Expanding the use of one-way communication devices, beginning with the 2025 season, was recommended by the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee during its meeting this week in Indianapolis.
Under the proposal, a player on the field or coaches in the third base or first base boxes could initiate one-way communication to relay signals to offensive or defensive players.
"Right now, catchers can't call pitches electronically," said Billy O'Conner, committee chair and baseball coach at Xavier. "This gives them the freedom to call pitches. As for the base coaches, it allows the third-base coach to call the signs electronically. Right now, the signs are being relayed in from the coach's box to the dugout, then the sign is sent to the players. We just want this to be a more efficient process."
Currently, the use of an exclusively one-way electronic communication device from the dugout to the field for the purpose of relaying the pitch or play call is allowed. The use of an in-ear communication device is limited for use by the catcher.
All rules proposals must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to discuss baseball recommendations Aug. 8.
While one-way communication devices would be allowed, any other electronic devices (such as tablets) being used during a game would result in the individual violator of the rule and the head coach being ejected from the game. The individual violator also would receive a one-game suspension. Umpires would not issue a warning in this scenario.
Timing changes
The committee proposed that hitters must be alert toward the pitcher by the time the 20-second action clock reaches 8 seconds. Currently, hitters have to be alert to the pitcher with 10 seconds remaining on the clock.
Committee members think allowing hitters two additional seconds balances the action-clock rule where pitchers can't hold the ball for up to 10 seconds in an attempt to "freeze" the hitter.
"After the first two years of this rule, we came to an agreement that the rule should be shifted slightly to give the hitter more time to prepare for the pitch," O'Conner said. "We are trying to find the right balance that the pitcher and the hitter need before the pitch is delivered."
The committee also recommended eliminating the limit on how many warmup pitches can be made before an inning. Starting pitchers could take as many throws as possible in 120 seconds. Relievers would be allowed to take as many warmup pitches as possible in 150 seconds.
"Oftentimes early in the season, games are played in inclement weather, and this gives pitchers the time they need before the inning starts," O'Conner said.
Other rules proposals
- Relievers who enter the game to replace a pitcher who had to leave unexpectedly due to injury or being ejected could take all of their warmup pitches in the bullpen instead of on the game pitcher's mound.
- During a delivery from the windup position, pitchers could take one step without gaining ground toward home plate and one step forward toward home plate with their free foot.
- A double first base could be an optional rule for all games, including NCAA championship competition.
- Bat testing would have to be conducted before each day of competition.
- The bat stickers being used that day for games would have to be placed on the lineup cards given to the home plate umpire.
- Suspensions for relief pitchers who are ejected for unsportsmanlike actions would be amended to two games. Starting pitchers still would be suspended for four games.
- Players already on the field at the time of a potential altercation would not be ejected if they are judged not to be a participant by their actions or not contributing to the escalation of an on-field confrontation.
- The rule that requires a hitter to remain in the batter's box between pitches would be eliminated.
- A team would receive a warning when a pitcher starts the motion to come set or deliver a pitch before a hitter is alert to the pitcher. Any subsequent violations would result in a ball being added to the count for the rest of the game.
- As an optional rule, the action clock would be set at 30 seconds between at-bats for the on-deck hitter to get into the batter's box. Hitters would have to be alert to the pitcher by the time 8 seconds remain on the action clock. It also would be optional for the clock to be set at 30 seconds for mound visits and offensive conferences.
- On force plays slide rule calls, the ball would remain live until the play has fully concluded.
- If a pitcher is found to be using a foreign substance on the baseball, the pitcher and the head coach both would be ejected from the game. A starting pitcher also would serve a four-game suspension, and a relief pitcher would receive a two-game suspension.
- The video review criteria for fair/foul plays would be expanded to include where a line drive may have touched a fielder's glove before hitting the ground.
- Visual action clocks would be an optional rule in Division III.