Expanding the use of one-way communication devices in baseball, beginning with the 2025 season, was approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Thursday.
Under the new rule, a player on the field or coaches in the third base or first base boxes can initiate one-way communication to relay signals to offensive or defensive players.
Previously, 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 was allowed.
While one-way communication devices will be allowed, any other electronic devices (such as tablets) being used during a game will result in the individual violator of the rule and the head coach being ejected from the game. The individual violator also will also receive a one-game suspension. Umpires will not issue a warning in this scenario.
Timing changes
The panel approved that hitters must be alert and ready to hit with 8 or more seconds remaining in the 20-second time limit. Previously, hitters had be alert and ready to hit with 10 or more seconds remaining on the clock.
NCAA Baseball Rules 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.
The panel also approved eliminating the limit on how many warmup pitches can be made before an inning. Starting pitchers can take as many throws as desired within 120 seconds. Relievers will be allowed to take as many warmup pitches as desired within 150 seconds.
Other rules changes
- Relievers who enter the game to replace a pitcher who had to leave unexpectedly due to injury or being ejected can 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 can take one step without gaining ground toward home plate and one step forward toward home plate with their free foot.
- A double first base will be an optional rule for all games, including NCAA championship competition.
- In Division I, bat testing will be conducted before each day of competition.
- The bat stickers being used that day for games will have to be placed on the lineup cards given to the home plate umpire.
- Suspensions for relief pitchers who are ejected for unsportsmanlike actions will be amended to two games. Starting pitchers still will be suspended for four games.
- Players already on the field at the time of a potential altercation will 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.
- A hitter will not have to remain in the batter's box between pitches.
- A team will 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 will result in a ball being added to the count for the rest of the game.
- As an optional rule, the action clock will be set at 30 seconds between at-bats for the on-deck hitter to get into the batter's box. Hitters will have to be alert to the pitcher by the time 8 seconds remain on the action clock. It also will be optional for the clock to be set at 30 seconds for mound visits and offensive conferences.
- On force play slide rule calls, the ball will 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 will be ejected from the game. A starting pitcher also will serve a four-game suspension, and a relief pitcher will receive a two-game suspension.
- The video review criteria for fair/foul plays will be expanded to include where a line drive may have touched a fielder's glove before hitting the ground.
- Visual action clocks will be an optional rule in Division III.