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EspañolWorld Baseball Classic rule guide: Pitch count, mercy rules, designated hitter originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Baseball season is in full swing.
As Major League Baseball wraps up Spring Training with the regular season looming, the World Baseball Classic is also on deck.
The last WBC in 2023 featured Team USA and Japan in the final, with Shohei Ohtani and Co. coming out victorious in a 3-2 thriller.
But which MLB rules will be followed during the tournament and will there be the new Automatic Ball-Strike System (ABS) involved?
Ahead of the tournament, here’s everything you need to know about the rules for this year’s WBC:
Can MLB players play in the World Baseball Classic?
MLB players are allowed to participate in the World Baseball Classic and this year’s tournament is loaded with star talent from the bigs.
How many teams qualify for the World Baseball Classic?
There are 20 teams involved in the 2026 tournament, the same as 2023.
Who qualifies for the World Baseball Classic?
Sixteen teams qualified for the 2026 tournament by thanks to placing in the top four of their respective pools in 2023. Colombia, Nicaragua, Brazil, and Chinese Taipei all punched their tickets through qualifiers.
Is there a DH at the World Baseball Classic?
Just like MLB, there is a designated hitter in the WBC.
Are defensive shifts allowed in the World Baseball Classic?
Bad news for pull-hitters: defensive shifts are permitted in the WBC.
Is there a pitch clock in the World Baseball Classic?
For the first time in the WBC, there will be a pitch clock. It will follow MLB rules: Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw with the bases empty and 18 seconds when runners are on. Batters have until the eight-second mark to be ready to hit.
Will the Automatic Ball-Strike System (ABS) be used in the World Baseball Classic?
No, the ABS will not be involved in the 2026 tournament.
Are there extra innings in the World Baseball Classic?
Yes, there are extra innings. If a WBC game is still tied after nine innings, a runner will be placed on second base at the beginning of each half-inning. The “ghost runner” placed on base is whichever player made the last out in the previous inning.
What is the mercy rule in the World Baseball Classic?
A mercy rule will go into effect during the first round if:
- A team is leading by 15 or more runs after five innings
- A team is leading by 10 or more runs after seven innings
The quarterfinals will follow the same rules.
What are the pitch count rules in the World Baseball Classic?
There are restrictions on how many pitches a player can throw and how often they can be used.
The pitch count regulations are different for each stage of the tournament:
- 65 pitches per game in the first round
- 80 pitches per game in the quarterfinals
- 95 pitches per game in the semifinals and final
If a pitch count is reached during the middle of an at-bat, the pitcher is allowed to exceed it to complete the at-bat.
For pitcher usage, these guidelines have to be followed:
- If a pitcher throws 50 or more pitches, at least four days must pass until he pitches again
- If a pitcher throws 30 or more pitches, at least one day must pass until he pitches again
- If a pitcher pitches on consecutive days, at least one day must pass until he pitches again
Is there a three-batter minimum rule in the World Baseball Classic?
The three-batter minimum rule for pitchers will be in place for the WBC. Barring injury, a pitcher must either face at least three batters or record the final out of an inning before being replaced.
Is there replay review in the World Baseball Classic?
MLB’s replay review rules are being applied in the WBC. Managers will have one challenge per game and retain it if the first challenge is successful.
In the semifinals and final, each team will have two challenges per game.
What are the World Baseball Classic tiebreakers?
The two teams with the best winning percentage in each pool will advance to the knockout rounds. In the event of a tie, these tiebreakers will be used:
- Head-to-head record
- Lowest quotient of runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teams
- Lowest quotient of earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teams
- Highest batting average in games between the tied teams
- Drawing of lots
Editor’s note: This story was first published in 2023