2027-28 NCAA Rules Changes

[grayhawk]

1-7 First, Second, and Third Base Require the use of a double base at first base for regular season and postseason competition. Exception: Competition held at non-institutionally owned facilities may use 18-inch square bases.

Rationale: To provide equal opportunity for both the offensive and defensive players to function in the same approximate area, potentially limit contact at first base between offensive and defensive players and emphasize batter-runners are to use the runner’s lane.

1-7 First, Second, and Third Base Permit the use of the 18-inch square bases at institutionally owned facilities, provided that a double base at first base is used. Note: The 15-inch square base remains the standard for use.

Rationale: This proposal will permit institutions the ability to use professional baseball base sizes at institutionally owned baseball facilities.

1-12 The Bat Permit the use of bat sensor technology for in-game swing data collection. Note: The device must be attached to the knob of the bat or embedded within the knob and data shall not be accessed during the game.

Rationale: Increased opportunities for swing data collection to take place during live-game situations.

Rule 3 3-3 Base Coach A base coach may not be closer to the foul line than the inside edge of the coaches’ box and no closer to home plate than the front edge of the box and no further than the back edge of the box once the pitcher has engaged the pitcher’s plate.

Rationale: Provides clarity on where base coaches can position themselves.

Rule 5 5-15-C-3 Eliminate the ejection penalty for players or team personnel leaving the vicinity of the dugout, bullpen, or position on the field at the time of a potential altercation or fight at the time of a verbal or physical altercation. Players or other team personnel remain subject to a game suspension.

Rationale: An updated penalty structure for players and other team personnel to not include an immediate ejection should they leave their position at the time of a potential altercation or fight; however, players and other team personnel are encouraged to not leave their position.

5-16 Electronic Devices Limit the use of electronic communication devices to defensive purposes only (i.e., the use on offense would not be permitted).

Rationale: Electronic communication devices were originally created to be used for defensive purposes only and remain strictly prohibited from use on offense in Major League Baseball.

5-16 Electronic Devices Permit use of in-game data/technology in the dugout to access scouting and analytics information during a game, including the use of preloaded and non-live recorded video. Note: Access to pitch location (i.e., balls/strikes) must be restricted during the game; a device management feature to limit access of applications must be managed by the conference; and live video during a game is permitted, provided that it is delayed by a half-inning at a minimum.

Rationale: To allow limited and controlled use of technology for use during a game for coaching and player development purposes.

Rule 6 6-5-F Dead Ball-Play Suspended Increase of offensive conferences to six (6) which would allow a batters’ request to reset the action clock. Similar to defensive conferences, a coach is allowed to be involved in a maximum of three (3) offensive charged conferences plus one additional conference in the event of an extra inning game.

Rationale: To allow a limited number of times for a batter to call a quick timeout to reset themself and the action clock. This would make offensive and defensive charged conferences similar.

Rule 8 8-3-E Entitled to the Base Fielder may not block the pathway of the base for the runner prior to having possession of the ball. Note: A fielder shall not be deemed to have obstructed unless they have both blocked the base or plate without possession of the ball, and also hindered or impeded the progress of the runner attempting to score. A fielder shall not be deemed to have hindered or impeded the progress of the runner if, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner would have been called out notwithstanding the fielder having blocked the base or plate.

Rationale: Reduce intentional acts of blocking the base prior to attempting to make a play at the base.

Appendices

Appendix E Permit any play that could result in a fair ball call being overturned to foul to be reviewed.

Rationale: This recommendation is consistent with the premise of Appendix E to get the call correct.

Appendix E Permit any tag play regardless of the location to be reviewed.

Rationale: This recommendation is consistent with the premise of Appendix E to get the call correct.

Appendix F-III Time Limit Require the following timing rule for between batters. A 30-second timer shall start at the conclusion of the prior play as indicated by the ball being in the possession of the pitcher in the proximity of the mound. In the event the batter/runner ends an at bat on second base and needs to hand protective equipment to a coach, the timer should start when the batter-runner hands their equipment to the coach. Note: NCAA rules regarding the stop and enforcement of the pitch clock shall apply (e.g., pitcher must begin motion to pitch prior to expiration of the clock and hitter must be alert to the pitcher and ready to hit with eight (8) or more seconds remaining).

Rationale: Pace of play.

Appendix F-III Time Limit Require the following timing rule for mound visits. A 30-second timer shall begin when a coach crosses the foul line or when a defensive player leaves their position to visit the pitcher’s mound. The home plate umpire shall proceed to the mound when the timer reaches nine (9) seconds. Unless the coach signals for a pitching change, the coach must leave the mound when (or before) the timer expires. If the coach has not left the mound or signaled for a pitching change by the time the clock expires, the umpire shall break up the visit and direct the coach back to the dugout or to signal for a pitching change. If a coach does not immediately leave the mound or signal for a pitching change upon being directed by the home plate umpire, a warning shall be issued for a first offense with a ball automatically awarded to the batter for any subsequent offense. Note: The mound visit clock shall not operate when a doctor or trainer accompanies a coach to evaluate a medical issue. Upon expiration of the clock, the 20-second NCAA pitch clock shall commence.

Rationale: Pace of play.

Appendix F-III Time Limit Require the following timing rule for offensive timeouts. A 30-second timer shall begin when an offensive timeout is granted by an umpire to a player or coach. The home plate umpire shall proceed to conclude the timeout when the timer reaches nine (9) seconds. Upon expiration of the clock, unless a substitution has been signaled, any visit must conclude and/or the batter must enter the batter’s box. If the visit does not immediately conclude or the batter immediately enter the box upon being directed by the home plate umpire, a warning shall be issued for a first offens e, with a strike automatically awarded to the batter for any subsequent offense. Note: The offensive timeout clock shall not operate when a doctor or trainer accompanies a coach to evaluate a medical issue.

Rationale: Pace of play. 

My takeaways:

1. We get to be coaches boxes police - big yuk
2. More batters will be asking for time - yuk
3. Well, at least players are encouraged to not leave the dugouts during an altercation - LOL. Actually, in some ways, it might be better for us. We get to focus on who the real troublemakers are rather than who is leaving their positions.
4. If you have replay review, err on the side of calling nutcutters fair.
5. We now have to time offensive and defensive conferences and in between batters. Not a fan unless it actually speeds up pace of play. TBD.

[JSam21]

13 hours ago, grayhawk said:

1. We get to be coaches boxes police - big yuk
2. More batters will be asking for time - yuk
3. Well, at least players are encouraged to not leave the dugouts during an altercation - LOL. Actually, in some ways, it might be better for us. We get to focus on who the real troublemakers are rather than who is leaving their positions.
4. If you have replay review, err on the side of calling nutcutters fair.
5. We now have to time offensive and defensive conferences and in between batters. Not a fan unless it actually speeds up pace of play. TBD.

1 and 5 are only for Division 1. All other divisions it will remain the same as before. 

[BLWizzRanger]

Rule 5 5-15-C-3 Leaving position during an altercation change reads to me that this is an example of if you didnt like it, call it exactly as written.

Tossing the 27th player on the bench for taking a few steps onto the infield during an altercation is draconian.

[Richvee]

Are they eliminating “unless the throw takes the fielder into the path of the runner”? and aligning more with FED? 

[MadMax]

2 hours ago, Richvee said:

Are they eliminating “unless the throw takes the fielder into the path of the runner”? and aligning more with FED?

Why, when the NCAA is largely being steered by those who would rather be sitting at the Big Table in the Fancy Restaurant (featured on TV, too!), would they regress to align with something they look upon like Chuck'E'Cheese, or Pizza Ranch? 

[jimurrayalterego]

56 minutes ago, MadMax said:

Why, when the NCAA is largely being steered by those who would rather be sitting at the Big Table in the Fancy Restaurant (featured on TV, too!), would they regress to align with something they look upon like Chuck'E'Cheese, or Pizza Ranch? 

Unless my reading comprehension has fallen favor to my dememtia, MLB and NCAA now do not want a fielder's body part  to be in front of the base. NFHS allows it. Your disdain for NFHS is warranted to some degree but RTFM.

[Richvee]

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

Why, when the NCAA is largely being steered by those who would rather be sitting at the Big Table in the Fancy Restaurant (featured on TV, too!), would they regress to align with something they look upon like Chuck'E'Cheese, or Pizza Ranch? 

Well, it does suggest that is indeed what they’re doing given the  way the rule change reads. . I guess we’ll need to see what’s actually written in, or edited out of the actual rule. 

[MadMax]

12 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

Your disdain for NFHS is warranted to some degree but RTFM.

It’s not my disdain. If you were to ask anyone attached to NCAA rules-making about the similarities of a (their) rule vis-a-vis an equitable NFHS rule, the damned citations could be an exact match, yet the NCAA guy will never acknowledge – let alone hint or indicate – that the NFHS rule set the precedent, was the origin, or was the mold or template for theirs. Not even an inspiration. 

Even if / when two rules are similar, or cover the same thing, just look at the vernacular (terms, word choice, etc.) alone to see evidence of that disdain. 

Why are you sniping me to Read the Fu¢ꓘing Manual? 

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, MadMax said:

It’s not my disdain. If you were to ask anyone attached to NCAA rules-making about the similarities of a (their) rule vis-a-vis an equitable NFHS rule, the damned citations could be an exact match, yet the NCAA guy will never acknowledge – let alone hint or indicate – that the NFHS rule set the precedent, was the origin, or was the mold or template for theirs. Not even an inspiration. 

Even if / when two rules are similar, or cover the same thing, just look at the vernacular (terms, word choice, etc.) alone to see evidence of that disdain. 

Why are you sniping me to Read the Fu¢ꓘing Manual? 

I think MLB and NCAA do not want any part of the fielder in front of the base. NFHS allows part of the fielder in front of the base. I'm not sure you were aware of that difference.

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

I'm not sure you were aware of that difference.

Of course I’m aware of the difference; I have to call games in all three codes on the same day. Am I perfect in my recall and application of these rules? No, but that’s where having robust working relationships with my colleagues is so crucial. I won’t beleaguer the details. 

I’m simply riffing on what @Richvee said in a satirical sense (and I can, because Rich  understands my humor, blatant, sarcastic, or satiric that it may be). If NCAA ever would need to do a modification, or course-correction, or even a regression – as we seem to be discussing – it would never be to “align to NFHS”, or any of the “lesser” rulesets. Instead, NCAA would state that the modifications are “self-initiated” or “self-directed”, if anything, and would make certain that any/all terminology was dissimilar-in-detail. 

You know the phrase “mimicry is the best / sincerest form of flattery”? Well, OBR will never mimic any other codex, and NCAA does not stoop to flattery. 

… certainly not to something (viewed as) beneath them.