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Browsing: Coming
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In 2023, AEW introduced the Continental Classic, which is a round-robin tournament that occurs throughout November and December to crown the AEW Continental Champion. This year will mark the third ever Continental Classic in history, with the finals of the tournament taking place at Worlds End like usual, but it seems like many of the round-robin matchups will take place overseas this time around.
This coming December, AEW is scheduled to debut in the city of Manchester, England, leading company President Tony Khan to confirm in an interview with “Z100 New York” that multiple Continental Classic matches will take place during their tour of the United Kingdom.
“We’ve been to the UK, we’re going back. We’re going to debut in Manchester later this year. I’m really excited about that. I’m excited to bring the Continental Classic to Manchester and back to Cardiff which is a great venue for us. But Manchester will be a new city … next year I think particularly in Europe there can be more opportunities. We’re definitely going back to London next year. Everyone knows that. I’m very excited to bring AEW All In back to Wembley Stadium.”
Khan also touched on the company returning to Australia next year for AEW Grand Slam, stating that he’s excited to bring the Jacksonville-based promotion to more cities in the country. “I’m continued [with] really excitement about going back to Australia and seeing new places in Australia. We had a great debut in Brisbane and I’m excited to go back to Australia and visit more cities over the coming years and also to go tour Europe more extensively.”
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Z100 New York” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Wales’ World Cup qualifier at home to Belgium on Monday already had the feel of a big game. Now, it has the makings of a defining night.
That is because Wales’ fate is back in their own hands, thanks to Belgium’s goalless draw at home to North Macedonia on Friday.
If Craig Bellamy’s side win their three remaining games, they will qualify for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
That, though, is quite a big if.
The most imposing hurdle to clear is arguably their next one.
This might not be the Belgium that finished third at the 2018 World Cup or the team that topped the world rankings just three years ago, but they are still formidable opponents with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku among their phalanx of attacking talent.
Not that Wales are intimidated, not with a head coach as single-minded – and optimistic – as Bellamy.
“I believe there’s always a special moment coming,” he said.
“Players have been in this situation so many times over the last 10 years, especially Cardiff nights. When we’ve managed to qualify, it’s been here. The crowd is used to this environment and these moments.
“You just have to embrace it. Embrace it and enjoy it. Tomorrow night we’re home, full stadium, just enjoy every second of it.”
WWEâ€s recent wave of developmental cuts may not be the end — and insiders are now warning that more names could be on the chopping block soon.
On Saturday, Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer reported that “possible more cuts [are] coming next week,â€following the confirmed exits of several talents from WWEâ€s NXT and ID programs. That initial round of departures hit on Friday, October 10, and included some notable names.
Bodyslam.net confirmed that the list features former NXT North American Champion Wes Lee, former EVOLVE General Manager Stevie Turner, Drako Knox, Jamar Hampton, Jin Tala, Haze Jameson, Summer Sorrell, and Brayden “BJ†Ray. Kylie Rae and Zayda Steel had already revealed the week prior that they were also out, as their WWE ID contracts werenâ€t being renewed.
Alvarez also reiterated that budget wasnâ€t the issue behind the cuts. WWEâ€s focus is clearly performance-based.
“WWE cuts were not budget related, they have over 130 people in developmental and hire more regularly,†Alvarez wrote. “If youâ€re not progressing fast enough or they feel you donâ€t have what it takes for main roster, youâ€re out to make room for someone new.â€
Wes Leeâ€s release is especially surprising given his resume. Signed in 2020 after a strong indie run as Dezmond Xavier, Lee found success in WWE as part of MSK, capturing the NXT Tag Team Titles twice. After going solo, he went on to hold the NXT North American Championship for 269 days — the longest reign in the titleâ€s history. He had been off TV since late 2023 with a back injury.
Stevie Turner also had a unique trajectory. After starting in NXT UK, she moved to NXT and was recently named the on-screen GM of the rebranded EVOLVE brand. The rest of the talent pool cut mostly consisted of newer names who had been working within the WWE ID and EVOLVE systems.
The cuts are being described as part of a larger shift in how WWE views its developmental structure — if a talent doesnâ€t show main roster potential quickly, theyâ€re cycled out to make room for the next prospect.
Do you think WWE is too quick to cut developmental talent, or is it smart business? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
When “Full Swing” debuted on Netflix in 2023, the series was the first of its kind in pro golf, offering an in-depth, insider look at some of the game’s most famous names and the intricacies of their competitive and personal lives.
The series was released at an opportune time, too — the golf world had recently split into PGA Tour and LIV Golf silos, and tensions were high. Viewership numbers reflected fans’ intense interest in the emerging power struggles between the two tours and their stars.
And according to Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter, there’s more to come, with a fourth season reportedly on the way. “Sources anticipate a six-episode season,” Carpenter said on X. The first two seasons of “Full Swing” had eight episodes, while the third season had six.
Details on what will be covered in Season 4 have yet to be announced, but there’s plenty of fodder to work with, from Rory McIlroy’s redemptive win at the Masters to clinch the career Grand Slam to Scottie Scheffler’s six-win season. Netflix cameras were also rolling at the recent Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where Keegan Bradley captained the U.S. team to a 15-13 loss to the Europeans. Bradley’s storyline is another likely focal point, as his gutted reaction to being left off the 2023 Ryder Cup team in Rome remains one of “Full Swing’s” most memorable moments.
A release date for Season 4 has not yet been announced, but if it follows the cadence of the previous three seasons, viewers can expect the episodes to drop sometime in February or March next year.
In the meantime, you can catch up on some previous season episode recaps here.
Golf.com Editor
As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style IsÂsue, which debuted in February 2018. Her origiÂnal interview series, “A Round With,†debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
At media day, coach Jason Kidd attempted to tamp down expectations of a quick return from ACL surgery by Kyrie Irving saying, “He is doing quite well, as we can see, but heâ€s not ahead of schedule.â€
In a Twitch stream (which you can see here on YouTube) Irving took that a step further (hat tip Hoopshype):
“Thereâ€s no timetable for when Iâ€m coming back, so please donâ€t ask me when Iâ€m coming back. Please donâ€t badger me with all the questions like, ‘Hey, if youâ€re healthy by November, what do you think about it?†Please donâ€t badger me with any questions, guys. Iâ€m going to be ready when Iâ€m ready. Iâ€m taking the necessary steps to put my best foot forward—and Iâ€m enjoying it …
“I appreciate you guys being there to support me during my, uh, kind of down times—when I was dealing with my ACL and dealing with not necessarily knowing, okay, whether or not Iâ€m going to be back to where I was at. And of course, there was doubt. Naturally, I have doubt like everyone else. But I was fueled by the next generation even more—because I know when Iâ€m able to show the resilience, the authenticity, the ugly times that go on with rehab or coming back from injury—I feel like that will, in turn, spark the next brain or inspire the next person. Or inspire some of my ACL twins out there—you know, that tore their ACL and dealt with all of the rigors of rehab. So shout out to all you guys.â€
Irving tore his ACL last March. Individual recovery times vary, but using the average recovery timeline for an NBA player, he would return in December or January. What Irving understands at age 33 is not to rush back to play in a couple more regular-season games and risk re-injury.
Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game while shooting 40.1% on 3-pointers last season before his injury. The hope in Dallas is that Irving returns with plenty of time to shake off any rust and get his legs under him, and then, paired with Anthony Davis and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks become a team that can make postseason noise in a deep Western Conference.
Thatâ€s going to happen on Irvingâ€s timeline.
Manchester United have now gone 12 years since winning the title after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson – and they’re a long way from returning to those lofty heights.
The Red Devils won the Premier League 13 times during the first 21 years of the division’s existence, but have gone through six different permanent managers since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
This season, Manchester United currently sit 14th in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim, after finishing 15th last term.
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Manchester United legend has his say on club’s plight
Nicky Butt (Image credit: Getty Images)
Nicky Butt was part of the legendary Class of 92 that spearheaded Manchester United’s dominance under Ferguson, and has teamed up with former team-mate Paul Scholes and presenter Paddy McGuinness for a new podcast, entitled The Good, The Bad & The Football.
FourFourTwo visited a recording of the podcast and spoke to Butt about his thoughts about the current Manchester United side.
Matheus Cunha (Image credit: Getty Images)
“If they get top half this season, I wouldn’t be happy, but you’d take that now because it’s going to be a slow time to get back to where we want to be,” Butt told FFT. “We’re a long way off.”
Asked which summer signing he was most excited about, he said: “I think Matheus Cunha. He’s got Premier League experience with Wolves, he did an amazing job down there, and he came in and started off really well. He’s had his injury, but I’m excited to see him this season.”
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As for which player from Ferguson’s great Manchester United team that Butt would put into the current team, he said: “Probably Roy Keane. I think he’d shake them up a little bit and do an unbelievable job of being the manager on the pitch if you like, and the captain.
“There’d be a lot of good quotes coming from him too, that would be interesting.”
Who could succeed Ruben Amorim?
Ruben Amorim (Image credit: Getty Images)
Butt was also asked about his overall thoughts on Manchester United’s decline, and their struggles under Amorim.
“Fundamentally, the club is rotten from the bottom at the minute,” the former midfielder told us. “Sack Amorim tomorrow and who’s coming in? No-one knows, no-one can give you a name.
Alex Ferguson (Image credit: Getty Images)
“If you brought prime Sir Alex in there, he wouldn’t be able to turn it around straight away, it would take time. You put Pep in there, or Klopp, and it wouldn’t work.”
The Good, The Bad & The Football with Butt, Scholes and McGuinness is a brand-new weekly video podcast, available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. There will be an in-depth chat with the trio about football and their careers in an upcoming issue of FourFourTwo magazine.
It wasn’t the first rodeo for Michael Keiser. But it was a first look at his latest project, on bucking-bronco land in Colorado.
If you own clubs and you like to travel, you probably know of Keiser, son of Bandon Dunes founder, Mike Keiser, and co-developer, with his brother, Chris, of Sand Valley in Wisconsin. You’ve also likely heard that he’s been busy adding to the family’s Dream Golf portfolio, in the Colorado sand hills, roughly 50 minutes northeast of Denver.
Early this week, Keiser and Co. offered a sneak peek of their destination-in-the-making with a day of preview play at Rodeo Dunes.
All 18 holes are grassed at the property’s namesake course, a Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw design. But with the turf too young in places to absorb wear and tear, play was limited to 11 holes: Nos. 1-4 and 12-18. That sampling, though, was a faithful taste of what’s to come: a light-on-the-land, walking-only layout stitched through the folds of a tussled, sandy canvas. Fairways bend and sweep to the lilt of the terrain, with plenty of width but an emphasis on angles.
The par-4 1st, for instance, is a friendly opener with ample leeway right, but the best line is up the left, over sizable bunkers that shroud the landing area. Fan or block your drive and you’ll see it touch down in the short grass. What you won’t see is the green on your approach. You don’t often see other players, either, as the heaving dunes hide portions of the course, which pop into view from high points on the property along with vistas that stretch to the Rockies.
The chop hills surrounding Rodeo Dunes are reminiscent of those that ring Ballyneal, in eastern Colorado, as well as several esteemed clubs on the high plains of Nebraska, including GrayBull and Sand Hills. The most glaring difference is that those courses are private. They’re also more remote. That Rodeo Dunes will be open to the public, less than an hour’s drive of a major metropolitan area, already makes it feel like a place apart.
3 other things to know…
About those tee times
Preview play is meant to help pique public interest, but the public will still have to wait a bit. After this week’s preview play, the course shut down for the season, and in 2026, it will be open primarily for its founding members. The official public opening is scheduled for 2027. Rodeo Dunes will start accepting 2027 tee times next spring.
More golf to come
Like Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley before it, Rodeo Dunes is getting started with a single course. But there’s room for more golf, potentially six courses. A second has already been routed through the dunes by former longtime Coore & Crenshaw shaper Jim Craig, who will be stamping his name on his first solo design credit. If all goes smoothly, a Dream Golf rep told me, the second course may see preview play late next year.
In the wake of the Mets’ season ending with them falling all the way out of the playoffs, there will be no shortage of takes about what went wrong with a team that entered the year as an expected World Series contender.
There will be discussions about the inconsistent offense, the subpar defense, the coaching, the trade deadline, the decisions made by manager Carlos Mendoza, and the team’s failure to win a single game they trailed after eight innings.
And while it’s understandable to want to point fingers in a whole bunch of different directions, it can be argued that doing so is kind of a waste.
Yes, there seemed to be a spark missing at times.
Sure, the offense could’ve been more consistent.
And yes, there were injuries that threw a wrench into things.
But as the dust settles on the 2025 Mets and the 2026 team starts to take shape, it’s pretty easy to determine the main culprit for what went wrong.
It was the starting rotation.
The rotation is the nerve center of a team. Everything flows from there. If there isn’t enough length provided (the Mets finished 27th in MLB in innings pitched per start) it negatively impacts the bullpen, which becomes overworked.
If the starting pitching is constantly putting the team in holes, there’s that much more pressure on the offense to dig out of it.
It’s a vicious cycle.
/ Sep 21, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (21) reacts as he exits the game against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Citi Field.
Take Game 162 for an example.
The Mets had simply run out of starting pitchers to rely on. That led them to start a struggling Sean Manaea, who was pulled after 1.2 innings. From there, it was a march of relievers — Huascar Brazobanfor 1.0 inning, Brooks Raleyfor 0.2 of an inning, Ryne Stanek for 0.1 of an inning, and Tyler Rogers for 0.1 of an inning.
By the time Edwin Diaz was called on to stop the bleeding in the fifth inning, the Mets were in a 4-0 hole. And the season, for all intents and purposes, was over.
You can question Mendoza’s decision to pull Raley as quickly as he did, or to go to Stanek. But the fact of the matter is that he was managing the last three and a half months of the season with one hand tied behind his back. That’s because the starting pitching was simply not good enough in any aspect, and it took the rest of the team down with it.
So this was a collapse, sure. But it’s one with an asterisk, because it can be easily argued that the 2025 Mets were irretrievably flawed from the start.
Looking at how things were shaping up back on Feb. 18, following Frankie Montas‘ injury (and the questionable decision to sign him in the first place), the Mets’ rotation still had a high ceiling. But the floor was alarmingly low.
As I laid out at the time, there were injury concerns with Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes was transitioning from reliever to starter, Sean Manaea‘s late-season results in 2024 were perhaps unsustainable, and David Peterson had yet to put together back-to-back strong seasons.
Meanwhile, Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill, and Paul Blackburnwere fine as depth options, but counting on two out of three of them in the rotation could be asking a lot. Regarding Brandon Sproat, his initial struggle with the transition to Triple-A meant that it could possibly take longer than expected for him to become a big league option.
To put it simply, there were lots of what-ifs — too many for a team with championship aspirations. And while the starting staff excelled over the first few months of the season, the cracks were easy to see.
That included regression from Canning, who had a 5.90 ERA from May 23 to June 26, when he tore his Achilles. And it included the struggles of Megill, who had a 5.79 ERA from May 4 through June 14, which was his last appearance of the season as he dealt with injuries.
Jun 14, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill (38) reacts during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citi Field. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
When the injuries hit Canning, Megill, and then Senga, the Mets — who were also without Manaea — were left in a precarious spot.
It would’ve seriously impacted any team, but the way New York chose to address it was puzzling.
They in effect punted a handful of games as they relied on bullpen games, four starts from Paul Blackburn(losses on June 13, 18, 23, and 28), and one start from Blade Tidwell.
The bullpen game strategy cost the Mets two games in July, and came at a time when Nolan McLeanwas dominating for Triple-A Syracuse.
Against the backdrop of David Stearns choosing to not promote McLean, the Mets kept losing games that were winnable.
It’s impossible to know how McLean would’ve fared if he was called up a month or so before his debut on Aug. 16. But it’s hard to believe his presence in the rotation wouldn’t have led to at least one more win, which would’ve resulted in the Mets making the playoffs.
You can also point to not adding a starting pitcher around the trade deadline, but the scarcity of available arms and the high price tags make that one a lot more understandable than the strategy they employed over the summer as the injuries mounted — when it at times felt like New York thought a giveaway loss here or there wouldn’t matter.
Still, it all comes back to the way the starting rotation was put together during the offseason. There was just not enough certainty, and it put the team in a precarious spot really quickly — one Stearns and Co. were unable to wrest themselves out of.
Given Stearns’ history of success and analytical nature, it’s fair to believe he’ll take a different approach to the rotation for 2026 — one that places an emphasis on track record over hope.
Alexa Bliss and WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker are coming to the world of Call of Duty: Mobile as part of a new cross-promotional campaign with WWE. On social media, Call of Duty: Mobile shared that the duo will take center stage in the game on Wednesday, October 1.
This isn’t the first time WWE has allowed its talent in non-WWE video games. In 2023, Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair were added to Fortnite, a game that has also seen John Cena and The Rock involved. A year earlier, The Undertaker, Asuka, and Xavier Woods were all in-game costumes in Fall Guys.
FALL GUYS X WWE COSTUMES IN-GAME
– The Undertaker
– Asuka (i think)
– Xavier WoodsGuess I was wrong about the other 2 costumes, oops pic.twitter.com/UqcU10CjpD
— ? Krxnky – Fall Guys Leaks (@KrxnkyFG) July 14, 2022
Back in the world of WWE gaming, Bliss and The Undertaker continue to be regulars in the WWE 2K franchise. Including the Deadman Edition of WWE 2K25, The Undertaker has been on the cover of 18 WWE video games, an honor Bliss has yet to reach.
Now, fans and gamers alike can look forward to Bliss and the Phenom being part of the world of Call of Duty: Mobile. Their role in the game proves how the popularity of the pair is able to extend far beyond the squared circle.
Image credit:
(Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Southeastern Conference enters 2026 as the unquestioned standard-bearer for college baseball. Last spring, 13 of its 16 programs reached the NCAA Tournament, a record that reflected both the leagueâ€s depth and its sustained grip on the sport. LSU carried the banner all the way to Omaha, winning its second national title in three years and extending the SECâ€s streak of champions that dates back to 2019.
Against that backdrop, the conferenceâ€s coaches gathered this month to discuss the state of the game and issues shaping its future. Topics ranged from rule tweaks and player welfare to the ever-evolving balance of technology in dugouts.
Here is a look into those discussions and how they could shape SEC baseball—and the broader landscape of the sport—in the years ahead.
ABS Challenge System Gaining Traction
Across the country last fall, players experimented with the automated balls and strikes challenge system.
Pitchers tapped the tops of their caps, hitters tapped their helmets and catchers gestured behind the plate—all invoking technology to dispute an umpireâ€s call. For most programs it was less about competition than education, a chance to help players grow comfortable with a strike zone no longer subject solely to human interpretation.
One coach described it as simply making his hitters “more familiar with the strike zone.â€
But what once felt like a novelty is edging closer to permanence in college baseball. After trials in the minor leagues, spring training and the All-Star Game, MLB will be bringing its ABS challenge system online full-time in 2026. The SEC is already laying the groundwork to follow, though not on the same timeline.
“I have been vocal in saying that my ambition for us is to be in close follow when Major League Baseball implements that fully,†an SEC official told Baseball America. “We implemented the action clocks a year after Major League Baseball, so Iâ€ve used that as kind of the barometer for us for the ABS. When commissioner (Rob) Manfred said theyâ€re going to seek to start to employ that through the challenge system starting next year, 2026, for them, that caught my attention.â€
For the SEC, the target is 2027, though even that goal comes with caveats.
“Thatâ€s kind of the target date,†the official said. “But even standing here today in September 2025, I would tell you Iâ€m not naive. I think even thatâ€s ambitious for us, given the significant commitment to resources thatâ€s involved with that.â€
The official explained that the league is working to set up the foundation now, from the technology infrastructure to the logistics of training and implementation. But those steps will take time, and the runway is long. The target date of 2027 reflects both a desire to shadow MLBâ€s model and the recognition that the cost of outfitting stadiums, wiring broadcast feeds and retraining umpires will be substantial.
Itâ€s why the SECâ€s approach mirrors how it handled the introduction of the action clock in 2023—waiting a season to observe how the professional game adjusted, identifying pressure points and only then installing its own version with lessons already learned.
“I thought it was valuable for us to observe it at the major league level and to see what issues, if any, they identify, and kind of let them be the test case,†the official said. “And then for us to try to follow as soon as possible thereafter.â€
With MLB flipping the switch on ABS challenges for 2026, SEC ballparks could see the challenge system the following spring. Though the ambition is clear, the league is under no illusions: Adapting the game at college scale is a massive undertaking.
The First Base Bag Debate Continues
First base remains a point of contention.
The SEC has discussed whether to move from the double bag now in use to the larger “pizza box†base MLB adopted. Coaches see value in aligning the college game with the professional standard, but the path is complicated and highly unlikely to be uniform across the country based on conversations with SEC sources and several from outside the league.
Within the conference, there is reluctance to implement the bigger bag for conference games only, knowing teams would then toggle between two sets of rules in midweek and postseason play.Â
“If you want to call it experimental in which we employ for conference competition only, I think thatâ€s probably too much for our programs,†the SEC official said. “Is it feasible? Yes. Is it something that you want to do? Probably not.â€
The challenge is that while SEC schools could handle the cost and logistics of switching, many smaller programs may not.
One mid-major administrator told Baseball America it would cost in excess of $4,000 just to drill new holes in a turf field for the larger bag plus several more thousand dollars to adjust the bag locations at second and third. Even within Division I, resources vary enough that smaller conferences might not be able to keep up with those kinds of costs.
That disparity underscores a central tension in college baseball: the SECâ€s commitment to preparing players for pro ball by mirroring MLB standards vs. the broader NCAA ecosystem in which lower-budget Division I programs hold equal sway in rules decisions.
“It is a good illustration of the challenges that we face in this sport,†the official said. “Our players want to play 162 games a year at the next level. So, we try to take pride in preparing them as best as we can, including playing the game in the same type of way.â€
For now, the pizza box bag remains on the wish list rather than in the rulebook. Unless the NCAA moves toward uniform adoption—including at the tournament level—the SEC is hesitant to go it alone. But the conference has made clear that if consensus builds among power four leagues, it will push hard for the bigger base.
Pace Of Play Back On The Table
The SEC has prided itself on staying close to Major League Baseball when it comes to pace of play, but coaches were reminded this fall that progress is fragile. After three straight years of average conference games finishing under three hours, 2025 saw game times climb back to 3:10.
An SEC official said the trend concerned both the league and television partners.
“That three-hour line kind of seems arbitrary, but itâ€s actually pretty impactful,†the official noted.
The culprit, in part, is hitters gaming the action clock—stepping in with their heads turned and waiting until the countdown nears zero before engaging.
One proposal was to mirror MLBâ€s 15-second and 18-second pitch clocks. Coaches pushed back, arguing hitters need more control, but the league made clear that adjustments—either to clock rules or umpire instructions—could be coming.
“Weâ€ve got to figure out a way to curtail that,†the official said. “If a hitter gets in the box and they have enough time to just stand there and watch the clock tick down, that tells me thereâ€s too much time on the clock.â€
Exit Velocities On The Rise
One trend the SEC is keeping a close eye on is the continued climb in exit velocities across Division I baseball. Between 2022 and 2025, the average jumped from 82.5 mph to 86.1 mph, while 90th percentile averages have climbed from 96.5 mph to just under 102 mph to mark the first time the sportâ€s peak output has cracked triple digits in the data-tracking era.
Administrators and coaches in the SEC have discussed the issue, but no clear answers have emerged. The league is wary of calling it a safety problem yet acknowledges the trend is significant enough to monitor.Â
“Exit velocities in college baseball are objectively up right now,†an SEC official said. “Itâ€s something that weâ€re following and at least having conversation about ways in which that may be explored.â€
The likeliest starting point is the ball itself, but even that idea is at a very early stage. For now, the conversation remains just that—a conversation.
More Quick Hits
Roster Cuts On The Horizon
The SEC is helping coaches navigate the first mandatory roster declaration, which requires teams to be down to 34 players by Dec. 1. The timing is awkward, with the winter transfer portal window opening the very next day.Â
“Youâ€re going to declare your roster on one day and then the next day weâ€re going to invite the opportunity for anybody on that roster to enter into the portal,†an SEC official said. “It seems quite impractical and illogical, at least to me.â€
The league has encouraged coaches to step back and look at roster management holistically, recognizing how many overlapping dates—draft, portal windows and signing periods—now complicate the process.
Staff Size Flexibility
Baseball coaches want the same staff freedoms football and basketball recently received. Prior to the 2024 football season, the NCAA allowed analysts and other non-designated staffers to provide on-field instruction, eliminating what had become an archaic rule often ignored in practice. With staffs growing and more programs investing in analytical specialists, SEC coaches are lobbying for similar latitude.Â
As one official put it: “This is high-level competitive baseball—you should have the ability to put somebody out there. But because of these antiquated NCAA rules, youâ€re just hamstrung in what you can do.â€
Uncertainty Around New NCAA Committee
The NCAAâ€s new baseball oversight committee officially began work Sept. 1, but its role and influence remain unclear.Â
The SEC is pressing for clarity on how the group will operate, how it will be staffed and what authority it will carry in shaping the sport. Several coaches admitted they donâ€t yet understand its responsibilities, reflecting the uncertainty across the league.
“Thereâ€s a lot that needs to be addressed there,†an SEC official said. “Iâ€ve encouraged (coaches) to be pretty active and aggressive in asking those questions.â€