Section 5: Rules of Play
Game Length
- A regulation game is nine innings. The home team does not bat in the bottom of the ninth if it is already ahead.
- Conferences may schedule seven-inning games for doubleheaders under the rules book's provisions.
- If the score is tied after the regulation number of innings, the game continues into extra innings.
The Pitch Timer
- NCAA baseball uses a pitch timer with the pitcher required to begin the delivery within the allotted time, plus action timers for the batter and between-innings/pitching-change timers.
- A timer violation by the pitcher results in a ball; a violation by the batter results in a strike.
Pitching
- The pitcher delivers from the windup or the set position, with the rules defining legal foot placement on and movement from the pitcher's plate.
- Balk: With runners on base, an illegal motion or deception by the pitcher is a balk, and runners are awarded one base.
- Mound visits: The number of charged conferences/mound visits a team may take is limited; exceeding the limit requires the pitcher to be removed.
- The pitcher is allowed a set number of warm-up pitches at the start of an outing and between innings.
Base Running
- Runners may lead off and attempt to steal at any time the ball is live.
- Force-play-slide rule: A runner approaching a base on a force play must slide directly into the base or veer away; an illegal slide that interferes with a fielder results in the runner and the batter-runner being declared out.
- Collisions at the plate: The rules restrict malicious contact and require the runner to attempt to reach the plate without initiating flagrant contact with the catcher; the catcher may not block the plate without the ball.
Video Review
- The NCAA permits instant-replay / video review of designated reviewable plays where the equipment and protocols are in place — most notably at NCAA championships — and provides for a coach's request to review within the rules' limits.
Run-Ahead Rule
- Conferences may adopt a run-ahead ("mercy") rule ending a game when one team leads by the prescribed margin — commonly 10 or more runs after seven innings (or after five innings in a seven-inning game).