The 2026 SEC Baseball Tournament will feature an automatic ball-strike system challenge system — the “robot umpire” — similar to what is used in Major League Baseball.
The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee this week approved the Southeastern Conference’s request to implement a challenge system for balls and strikes. The tournament runs from May 19-24 in Hoover, Alabama.
Teams will be able to challenge an umpire’s strike or ball call via an automated ball tracking system that monitors the exact location of each pitch, relative to the specific batter’s zone.
“The introduction of this challenge system at the SEC Tournament reflects our continued commitment to innovation,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “This addition represents a continued step forward for our game, aligns more closely with the professional level and supports the development of our student-athletes as they prepare for success at the next level.”
Each team will have three challenges to start the game. If a challenge is successful, the team will retain the challenge. If the original call is confirmed, the team will lose the challenge.
Upon a challenge, the pitch location will be compared against the electronic strike zone. The result will then be displayed on the stadium video board and broadcast.
