The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league announced rule changes for the 2025 season regarding the pitch clock and the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) system.
Pitchers will have to start their delivery within 20 seconds with the bases empty and 25 seconds with runners on. There will be a 33-second limit between trips to the plate for batters, who will have only two timeouts per plate appearance.
The KBO will not put a limit on the number of disingagements for pitchers.
"The goal of the pitch clock is not to penalize pitchers but to reduce unnecessary time for fans," the KBO stated. "With the pitch clock being used at international tournaments, we also wanted to enhance our international competitiveness."
The strike zone under the ABS was introduced in 2024. The KBO will lower the strike zone in 2025.
The KBO will also test a check swing challenge system in the Futures League. The league office confirmed the installation of cameras in a few stadiums. The league plans to implement the system in 2026.
The KBO will also widen the runner's lane from home to first base. The runner will have to keep both feet on the dirt and won't be forced to be in foul territory.
