NCAA BASEBALL VISIBLE CLOCK GUIDANCE
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2024
Effective Date:
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, for Division I and Jan. 1, 2025, for Division II, the use of one or more visible
clocks will be required during all times of the game to enforce all timing rules effectively. Effective
Jan. 1, 2025, for Division III, the use of one or more visible clocks shall be highly recommended
during all times of the game to enforce all timing rules effectively.
Location of the Clock:
While only one (1) visible clock is required, two or more (2+) allow for greater visibility. Clocks
shall ideally be located on the outfield scoreboard or atop the outfield fence in either left- or right-
centerfield as well as behind home plate. The clock should be as readily visible to the pitcher,
catcher, batter and home plate umpire as possible.
Below are placement options based on the number of clocks being used. The highlighted placement
options emphasize visibility for the pitcher, catcher, batter and home plate umpire. (Note: This list
is not comprehensive to all locations that the clock may be placed. The identified locations consider
access to power and staffing personnel to operate the clock.)
One (1) Clock:
Two or More (2+) Clocks:
Three of More (3+) Clocks:
• Outfield fence in either
left or right-centerfield.
• Located on the outfield
scoreboard.
• Behind home plate offset
to the left or right.
• One (1) clock on the
outfield fence in either
left or right-centerfield
and one (1) behind home
plate offset to the left or
right.
• One (1) located on the
outfield scoreboard and
one (1) behind home
plate offset to the left or
right.
• One (1) on the outfield
fence in either left or
right-centerfield and two
(2) behind home plate
offset to the left and right.
• Two (2) on the outfield
fence in left- and right-
centerfield and one (1)
behind home plate offset
to the left or right.
Time Limits/Timing Devices:
The clock should have the ability to produce whole numbers for the 20-second action clock limit
and the 120-second (or 150-second) time limit (or clock) between innings. A three-digit clock is
recommended, but a two-digit clock is permissible on the condition that the time between innings
will reach “00” twice.
NCAA Baseball Visible Clock Guidance
September 1, 2024
Page No. 2
NCAA/08_20_2024/SVB:bzb
Use of Alternate Competition Sites:
Institutions that regularly schedule games at non-institutionally owned facilities shall plan to
facilitate the use of a visible action/between innings clock. If the alternate site is identified with a
reasonable amount of time, a portable clock is certainly an option. If the site is identified last
minute and there is no other option, the umpires should/must be prepared to keep the clock on
the field–similar to if the clock fails or stops functioning.
