https://www.collegebaseballhub.com/post/2023-college-baseball-rule-changes Here's the biggest one: Action Clock Modifications Before the 2020 season, the NCAA introduced a 20-second action clock for the intent of speeding up the pace of play. This meant with runners on base, pitchers had 20 seconds to begin their motion toward home plate or make a pickoff attempt. One caveat to this rule was that pitchers could perform unlimited step-offs or fake throws without penalty to reset that 20-second clock. Beginning in 2023, pitchers will be allowed one step-off or fake throw per batter to reset the action clock. If a defensive player is granted a timeout, it will also be counted as a step-off and burn the pitcher's ability to use that for the remainder of the at-bat. A pitcher will still be allowed unlimited pickoff attempts during an at-bat, but they must deliver the ball to either a base, or home plate, every 20 seconds. Some other changes include: Fence Padding Beginning in 2023, a minimum three-foot fence or protective netting must be in place on the field side of dugouts. The fence must be installed by Jan. 1, 2024 for Division I, and by Jan. 1, 2025 for Divisions II and III. They also recommended padding be added to all hard surfaces that a player could collide with during play. A new and Unnecessary, Anti-Celebration Regulation Now here's an unwelcome one from the stick-up-the-rear-end Puritanical "purist" camp: Beginning in 2023, celebratory props will not be allowed outside of the dugout. No high-fiving or boogie dances outside the dugout on home runs, etc. Some of the more viral moments came from home run celebrations that many teams adopted, such as Tennessee's fur coat, the OSU cowboy hat, or Virginia Tech's hammer. With the new rule, teams will no longer be able to perform these celebrations outside of the dugout. This decision likely doesn't come as a surprise to those that paid attention during the 2022 Road to Omaha, as the NCAA banned the use of props on the field before the Super Regionals due to "potentially volatile situations" observed in the Regionals. C'mon. Let 'em have some fun! This is college ball! It's supposed to be more exciting than MLB!
