{
  "id": 3346881,
  "title": "NCAA approves Automated Ball/Strike system option for baseball next season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/ncaa-approves-automated-ball-strike-system-option-for-baseball-next",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-25T20:44:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/uncategorized/2026/08/25/ncaa-approves-automated-ball-strike-system-option-for-baseball-next-season"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nTeams 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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nA 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.\n\nFinally, pitchers entering a game in Division I will need to face at least three batters, unless the inning concludes before three batters are faced.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "NCAA approves Automated Ball/Strike system for baseball next season",
    "Teams can challenge called balls and strikes in regular-season and postseason games",
    "Additional rule changes include 18-inch square bases and 30-second timer in Division I"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}