NCAA approves Automated Ball/Strike system option for baseball next season

The NCAA has approved the use of an Automated Ball/Strike system for college baseball next season, according to a Tuesday announcement. This decision was made by the Division I Baseball Oversight Committee and the Division II and Division III Playing Rules Oversight Panel.

Teams will now have the option to challenge called balls and strikes during regular-season and postseason games. The Southeastern Conference had previously tested this system during its conference tournament in May, leading to its nationwide implementation.

In addition to the Automated Ball/Strike system, other rule changes are being introduced. Division I will require 18-inch square bases, while 15-inch bases will remain the standard. A double first base will also be mandatory for all games.

A 30-second timer will be implemented in Division I to manage batters, mound visits, and offensive timeouts. Pitchers in Division I will be limited to two disengagements from the pitcher's rubber per batter, with a balk called if a third disengagement occurs unless a pickoff attempt results in an out.

Finally, pitchers entering a game in Division I will need to face at least three batters, unless the inning concludes before three batters are faced.