NCAA Rules Updates for Baseball, Water Polo and Men’s Lacrosse

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (July 18, 2024) – The NCAA has some proposed baseball rules for the 2025 season and rule changes that are official for water polo and lacrosse.

Baseball

Expanding the use of one-way communication devices, beginning with the 2025 season, was recommended by the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee. Under the proposal, a player on the field or coaches in the third base or first base boxes could initiate one-way communication to relay signals to offensive or defensive players.

“Right now, catchers can’t call pitches electronically,” said Billy O’Conner, committee chair and baseball coach at Xavier. “This gives them the freedom to call pitches. As for the base coaches, it allows the third-base coach to call the signs electronically. Right now, the signs are being relayed in from the coach’s box to the dugout, then the sign is sent to the players. We just want this to be a more efficient process.” 

Currently, the use of an exclusively one-way electronic communication device from the dugout to the field for the purpose of relaying the pitch or play call is allowed. The use of an in-ear communication device is limited for use by the catcher. All rules proposals must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to discuss baseball recommendations Aug. 8. 

While one-way communication devices would be allowed, any other electronic devices (such as tablets) being used during a game would result in the individual violator of the rule and the head coach being ejected from the game. The individual violator also would receive a one-game suspension. Umpires would not issue a warning in this scenario.

Additional rules proposals include:

• A double first base could be an optional rule for all games, including NCAA championship competition.
• Bat testing would have to be conducted before each day of competition.
• The bat stickers being used that day for games would have to be placed on the lineup cards given to the home plate umpire. 
• Visual action clocks would be an optional rule in Division III. 

Water Polo

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved red markings being placed at each end of the field of play on the boundary line to denote the goal area in men’s and women’s water polo. The marks will be placed 2 meters outside the inner side of each goal post so that the goal area is defined as the rectangular area in front of the goal bounded by the goal line, the 2-meter line, and lines 2 meters outside the inner side of each goal post. The rule is effective beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. 

That first year, temporary markings can be used for the 2024-25 academic year. For floating goals, the temporary markings can include red tape, red paint, red foam markers, or a red towel tied to the goal line lane line, each at a distance of 2 meters outside the inner side of each goal post.

For wall goals the temporary markings can include cones on the pool deck, long red horizontal deck markers, red tape or red paint, each at a distance of 2 meters outside the inner side of each goal post.

However, for the 2025-26 academic year, continuous red markings will be required. For floating goals, continuous red buoys on the goal line lane line for a distance of 2 meters outside the inner side of each goal post are required. For wall goals, the continuous markings can be provided using long red horizontal deck markers or continuous red paint.

Rationale for the change is to allow is to allow for more movement on offense, which can create new offensive strategies, promote more scoring opportunities and enhance spectator appeal. Players on offense will now be allowed to be inside the 2-meter line ahead of the ball if they are not inside the Goal Area..

• An additional change requires a member of the coaching staff to report a change in cap numbers to the referee.

Men’s Lacrosse

NCAA men’s lacrosse players will be permitted to wear clear mouthguards in the 2025 season.