A bit OT: SEC baseball to try ball/strike challenge system during SEC Tourn
Per ESPN: "SEC given OK to use ABS for conference baseball tournament
"The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee on Monday approved the SEC's request to implement a challenge system for balls and strikes for each game of this year's conference tournament. It will be similar to the system used in Major League Baseball.
"Teams can challenge an umpire's strike or ball call via an automated ball tracking system that monitors the exact location of each pitch, relative to the specific batter's zone.
"The introduction of this challenge system at the SEC Tournament reflects our continued commitment to innovation," commissioner Greg Sankey said. "This addition represents a continued step forward for our game, aligns more closely with the professional level and supports the development of our student-athletes as they prepare for success at the next level."
"Each team will have three challenges to start the game. If a challenge is successful, the team will retain the challenge. If the original call is confirmed, the team will lose the challenge.
"Upon a challenge, the pitch location will be compared against the electronic strike zone. The result will then be displayed on the stadium videoboard and broadcast.
"The ABS system would be allowed for other conference tournaments if a conference wanted to use it and followed the same protocols as the SEC.
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Based on some of the ball/strike calls I've seen this season in softball (i.e., Nora's strike 3 call from Sunday), I would not be opposed to the idea.
Link:
ESPN Story
Posted: 05/04/2026 at 10:50 PM ET
Thread Replies (16)
A bit OT: SEC baseball to try ball/strike challenge system during SEC Tourn
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-- VTChip
May 04, 2026 at 10:50 PM ET
VTChip
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05/04/26 10:50 PM ET
This is my single biggest gripe about college softball
-- Hokie Koooster
May 05, 2026 at 11:13 AM ET
Hokie Koooster
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05/05/26 11:13 AM ET
There was a horrendous called 3rd strike on Sam Grube Sunday. It ended up
-- VTBAMA
May 05, 2026 at 08:43 AM ET
VTBAMA
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05/05/26 08:43 AM ET
Maybe we could donate $1 to Poppin' It! for each reversed call
-- TomTurkey
May 05, 2026 at 09:09 AM ET
TomTurkey
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05/05/26 09:09 AM ET
If the technology is in place the computer should be calling balls/strikes
-- MidloHokie
May 05, 2026 at 07:08 AM ET
MidloHokie
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05/05/26 07:08 AM ET
Been a good thing so far in MLB. Looks like about half get overturned.
-- nkhooch
May 05, 2026 at 02:24 AM ET
nkhooch
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05/05/26 02:24 AM ET
SEC baseball tournament is a neutral site, so hard to gauge reaction
-- VTsportscaster
May 05, 2026 at 01:31 PM ET
VTsportscaster
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05/05/26 01:31 PM ET
A friend who I umpired with had a "pitcher's" SZ. I had a"hitter's" SZ.
-- TomTurkey
May 05, 2026 at 09:31 AM ET
TomTurkey
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05/05/26 09:31 AM ET
Interesting. I have never umped,
-- nkhooch
May 05, 2026 at 01:37 PM ET
nkhooch
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05/05/26 01:37 PM ET
Not perfect, but a human official is just part of the game.
-- TomTurkey
May 05, 2026 at 01:46 PM ET
TomTurkey
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05/05/26 01:46 PM ET
This can’t start soon enough. But how hard is this to setup? And does it
-- HOKIE SEAN
May 04, 2026 at 11:32 PM ET
HOKIE SEAN
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05/04/26 11:32 PM ET
It would have to use the dimensions of the batter or it won't
-- nkhooch
May 05, 2026 at 02:45 AM ET
nkhooch
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05/05/26 02:45 AM ET
And the rules say "normal stance."
-- TomTurkey
May 05, 2026 at 09:34 AM ET
TomTurkey
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05/05/26 09:34 AM ET
Great points. Jordan Lynch stands very close to the plate. And she
-- nkhooch
May 05, 2026 at 02:01 PM ET
nkhooch
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05/05/26 02:01 PM ET
There is an ongoing discussion of the upper part of the "zone."
-- TomTurkey
May 05, 2026 at 02:15 PM ET
TomTurkey
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05/05/26 02:15 PM ET
I think its probably already set up in most places
-- VTChip
May 04, 2026 at 11:45 PM ET
VTChip
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05/04/26 11:45 PM ET