NCAA Baseball pitch clock rules are the rules relating to the 20-second action clock and visible action clock. These rules are effective with the 2023 season.
To allow pitchers to maintain a level of defensive strategy, the rule on Appendix F’s 20-second Action clock has changed from the previous season. It states that the pitcher should start the motion to deliver the pitch or attempt a pickoff before the 20-second time limit.
It is the change of clock rule with runners on base to the following. This change also emphasizes the action taking place. They are implemented in Minor League Baseball and increased the length of games by 18-25 minutes per game over the previous two years.
In the same Appendix, another rule with Visible Action Clock has been changed and reviewed by the NCAA that states the requirement for upcoming seasons, the use of a visible clock during all times of the game to enforce all timing rules equitably.
As in the review, the NCAA gave the rationale for that rules, declaring the requirement of these rules is to make it visible for all the players to enforce the 20-second action clock to be effective and equally enforced in all the games.
This rule will also help the team improve the pace of play as this has been effective at the MiLB level for reducing the game by 18-25 mins.
The Appendix F of the rule book has also changed the rule for pitch between innings timing. This rule states that if the pitcher/designated hitter is either on the base or makes the last out of an inning, the umpire should give additional time for warm-up of the player if they have requested.
This rule will provide some benefit if it is requested by the defensive team to allow them additional time if they are on the base or bat during the last out of the inning.
NCAA Baseball Pitch Count Rules 2023
NCAA baseball pitch count rules have not been changed since 2018. There were no changes to the pitch count rules at the latest review.
Pitch count is the actual number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a game which is crucial for pitchers who have recently faced injuries and are learning to pitch. This rule gives the pitch limit to the pitchers who must come out of the game once the limit is reached.
The pitch count rule is only implemented in college-level baseball players to avoid injuries at a young age. There is a maximum of 110 pitches per game in one day. If pitchers throw more than 110 pitches in a day, they must take three days’ rest before the next match.
There are a variety of such rules to help the player for avoiding injuries. If the pitch count reaches between 1 to 25, no rest is required before playing the next game. But if it ranges between 26 to 50, there will be one day of rest, 51 to 75 two days, and 76 to 110; there will be the requirement of 3 days of rest.
