The Southeastern Conference is set to debut an automated balls-and-strikes challenge system at the 2026 SEC Baseball Tournament, marking a significant step toward technology-assisted officiating in college baseball.
Powered by Hawk-Eye, the system will allow teams to challenge umpire calls on pitches, with each squad starting the game with three challenges that can be retained after a successful review.
Human umpires will still make the initial call; the technology steps in only when a player initiates a challenge, ensuring that the final decision rests on a combination of on-field judgment and digital verification.
The Strike Zone and Protocol Details
The automated zone is tailored to each hitter, forming a two-dimensional rectangle that reflects the batter’s height and stance. The SEC’s ABS protocols also cover unique scenarios, such as a pitch being overturned from a ball to a strike three or vice-versa, and outline how these calls affect game flow.
During the tournament, the conference will closely monitor the system’s performance, including its impact on pace-of-play, challenge strategy, fan reception, broadcast presentation and overall game rhythm. These observations will inform a broader assessment of whether the technology could be rolled out into the regular season.
While the SEC is intrigued by the possibilities, officials acknowledge that cost and logistical constraints make widespread adoption across Division I unrealistic at this stage. The financial disparity between the SEC and other conferences could further influence the pace at which advanced officiating tools are implemented.