LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2026-21
PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS -- BASEBALL -- NUMBER OF NONCHAMPIONSHIP SEGMENT CONTESTS
Status: Adopted Final
Intent: In baseball, to increase, from two to four, the number of contests in which an institution and student-athletes may participate against outside competition during the nonchampionship segment of the playing season.
Bylaws: Amend 17.4, as follows:
17.4 Baseball. Regulations for computing the baseball playing season are set forth in Bylaw 17.1. (See Figure 17-1 and Figure 17-2.)
[17.4.1 through 17.4.4 unchanged.]
17.4.5 Number of Contests.
17.4.5.1 Maximum Limitations -- Institutional. A member institution shall limit its total playing schedule with outside competition in baseball during the institution's baseball playing season to 56 contests (games and scrimmages) during the segment in which the NCAA championship is conducted and two four contests (games and scrimmages) during the nonchampionship segment, except for those contests excluded under Bylaws 17.4.5.3 and 17.4.5.4.
[17.4.5.1.1 unchanged.]
17.4.5.2 Maximum Limitations -- Student-Athlete. An individual student-athlete may participate in each academic year in not more than 56 baseball contests during the segment in which the NCAA championship is conducted and two four contests during the nonchampionship segment (this limitation includes those contests in which the student represents the institution in accordance with Bylaw 17.02.10, including competition as a member of the varsity, junior varsity or freshman team of the institution).
[17.4.5.3 through 17.4.5.4 unchanged.]
[17.4.6 through 17.4.8 unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Baseball Oversight Committee
Effective Date:August 1, 2026
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Playing and Practice Seasons
Rationale: Increasing the maximum number of contests during the nonchampionship segment provides additional participation opportunities for student‑athletes during the nonchampionship segment and allows student-athletes to gain meaningful exposure in a controlled environment. Expanding nonchampionship competition promotes informed decision‑making regarding player roles and roster depth while alleviating roster-related challenges related to conducting fall intrasquad scrimmages. Existing restrictions on missed class time related to the nonchampionship segment would be maintained.
Division I Commitment addressed by proposal: The Commitment to Student-Athlete Well-Being.
Is the proposal consequential or nationally significant?: Yes. Playing and practice season legislation is nationally significant.
Is the proposal enforceable and how do the merits outweigh monitoring burdens?: Yes. This proposal does not create a new monitoring burden.
How does the proposal support student-athlete success/well-being?: This proposal provides increased competitive opportunities for student-athletes during the nonchampionship segment.
Estimated Budget Impact: Variable; dependent on local decision-making.
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): Variable; dependent on local decision-making.
History
| Mar 31, 2026: | In Progress | |
| May 4, 2026: | In Progress | Adopted by the Division I Baseball Oversight Committee pending review by the Division I Cabinet. |
| Jun 24, 2026: | Adopted Final | No cabinet action. |
Legislative References
| Division | Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| I | 17.4 | Baseball. |
| I | 17.4.5 | Number of Contests. |
| I | 17.4.5.1 | Maximum Limitations -- Institutional. |
| I | 17.4.5.2 | Maximum Limitations -- Student-Athlete. |