HUGE rule change for upcoming SEC Tournament

[Blake Munroe]

Per D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers, this years upcoming SEC tournament will have ABS (automated ball-strike) challenges. 

The NCAA approved this earlier today. The SEC proposed this earlier in the year. 

- 3 ABS challenges (if you win the challenge, you retain)
- You get a bonus challenge in extra innings if you don't have any left
- ONLY a pitcher, catcher, hitter can request ABS challenge (within 2-3 seconds). Untimely challenges will NOT be granted.

[Kyle Vochoska]

From what I’ve seen in the MLB they don’t go off of the 2-3 second rule. It has to be your first movement after the call is made. 

[Tres Comas]

Just go to ABS and forget the challenge

[GoHorns1]

Great slowing down an already slow moving game!

Edited May 5 by GoHorns1

[Han Soul Hole]

3 minutes ago, Tres Comas said:

Just go to ABS and forget the challenge

Communist.  😉

[ClubWhatever]

22 minutes ago, GoHorns1 said:

Great slowing down an already slow moving game!

It hasn’t done so in MLB.  It has reduced the number of meltdowns that lead to ejections, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your perspective as a fan.

[Hookem1012]

44 minutes ago, GoHorns1 said:

Great slowing down an already slow moving game!

This is incorrect and I’m a baseball purist.

[Paul L]

11 hours ago, GoHorns1 said:

Great slowing down an already slow moving game!

Those 6 challenges, if used are really going to slow baseball down to a standstill. 🤦‍♂️ 

[.45s]

Maybe they should issue challenges based on the umpire's grades (if the SEC grades the umpires).  Some umps in the big leagues has been overturned multiple times at a high percentage and others at a low rate.  I know that the teams keep a challenge if successful, but they aren't always successful.  The accuracy of the big league umps is really being documented now.

[Blake Munroe]

On 5/5/2026 at 7:44 AM, Paul L said:

Those 6 challenges, if used are really going to slow baseball down to a standstill. 🤦‍♂️ 

It’s not like reviewing a football play. It goes quick. 

[Paul L]

11 hours ago, Blake Munroe said:

It’s not like reviewing a football play. It goes quick. 

I was being sarcastic.  

[Burnt Orange Horn]

17 minutes ago, Paul L said:

I was being sarcastic.  

Wrong font!!   🤘🏻🤘🏼🤘

[pinkman_90]

Some of these college umpires are so bad.  I can see games where both teams win 10+ challenges.  MLB it seems ok because even the worst MLB umps are light years better than college.  

[tmataya]

I’m glad. I’m tired of pompous umpires having “their own strike zone”. And you better not look at an umpire or question them, you will be ejected. 

[Skoal Brother]

Its being adopted as a result of its resounding success in MLB.  Tinney knows the zone, leads the team in walks, it will be a substantial plus for Texas.  It sure seems to be a lot of installation in not much time. 

[Blake Munroe]

On 5/7/2026 at 7:36 AM, Paul L said:

I was being sarcastic.  

lol my bad