Rules by ruleset

NFHS, USA Softball & USSSA Pitch Calling Rules

Electronic pitch calling is legal in more places every season, but each rulebook draws the line differently. Here is what the actual rule text says, who may wear what, and how it has changed. Reviewed against the sources on September 20, 2026.

The short version

NFHS high school: one-way calls from the dugout to the catcher since 2025. From the 2027 season the pitcher may receive them too. Defense only, coach stays in the dugout, players may not transmit or record.
USA Softball and USSSA: one-way devices for offense and defense, any player may receive, no device type named. USSSA requires commercially available gear worn as designed.
NCAA: one-way on offense and defense; only the catcher may wear an in-ear device.
Everywhere: nothing two-way, nothing the player can answer with.

NFHS timeline: high school softball

The National Federation of State High School Associations writes the rules most public and private high schools play under. State associations may adopt their own modifications.

Through the 2024 season Long-standing rule

No electronic communication to players on the field

NFHS softball rules did not provide for electronic communication from the dugout to players on the field. Pitch calls travelled by hand signals or wristband cards.

Source: NFHS: One-Way Electronic Communication Approved for High School Softball
2025 season Announced July 2024

One-way communication from the dugout to the catcher

A coach may use an electronic device in the dugout or bench area for one-way communication to the catcher while the team is on defense. Earpieces, electronic bands and smartwatches are allowed as an exception, provided the player does not use the device to send anything back. The coach may not use the device to reach any other team member on defense, anyone on offense, or from outside the dugout or bench. Violations can bring ejection unless the umpire rules the offense minor.

Devices such as earpieces, electronic bands and "smart" watches are now permitted as an exception within the rule, provided the player does not utilize said device to return correspondence to the coaching staff.

Rules 1-8-6 and 3-6-11. Sources: NFHS: One-Way Electronic Communication Approved for High School Softball; NFHS: Softball Rules Changes, 2025
2026 season Committee meeting June 15 to 17, 2025

Players may not transmit or record audio or video from the field

The committee added that no player may transmit or record audio or video from the playing surface. It said the risks of players transmitting or recording during live play outweighed the benefits, and that clear guidelines were needed as wearable technology evolves. Receiving one-way calls stayed legal for the catcher.

No player shall be allowed to transmit or record audio or video from the playing surface in high school softball.

Rule 1-8-6. Source: NFHS: Electronic Communication by Players Clarified in High School Softball
2027 season Committee meeting June 14 to 16, 2026; announced July 9, 2026

Pitchers may receive one-way communication too

Pitchers join catchers as the only players permitted to receive one-way electronic communication from the dugout. The stated purpose is faster delivery of information. Every other electronic device that transmits or records information stays prohibited on the field, and players still may not transmit or record audio or video. The same meeting also simplified courtesy-runner language, let state associations set umpire uniforms, and clarified interference after a deflected batted ball.

Pitchers will now join catchers as the only players in high school softball permitted to receive one-way electronic communication from the dugout, effective with the 2027 season.

Sources: NFHS: One-way Electronic Communications Allowed for Pitchers Under 2027 High School Softball Rules Changes; OHSAA reprint of the NFHS release

USA Softball

2026 Official Rules (dated January 12, 2026); change adopted for the 2025 season. Youth (JO) and adult play sanctioned by USA Softball, the national governing body.

A base coach in the coach's box may carry "an exclusively one-way electronic communication device to relay signals to the offense" (Rule 4, Section 7C-1B).
The defense may use "an exclusively one-way electronic communication device" to relay the pitch or play call from the dugout (Rule 4, Section 7C-5).
The Rules Supplement repeats it for both sides: a one-way device "may be used by the defense or offense to relay the pitch or play call from the dugout or field" (Rules Supplement 11B).
The 2025 rule-change comment says the intent plainly: it "allows the use of one-way electronic communication to all players both on offense and defense." The rule names no device type and does not limit which players may wear a receiver.
No two-way devices, "to include cell phones, pagers, etc.," may be worn or carried on the playing field. A January 2025 ruling says a batter with an earpiece and a microphone back to the coach is illegal.
Devices used to talk between coaches, or with anyone outside the field of play, are prohibited (Rules Supplement 11A).
Penalty: disqualification or ejection from the game after a warning.

Sources: USA Softball 2025 Rule Changes (PDF); USA Softball 2026 Official Rules (PDF); USA Softball Plays and Clarifications, January 2025 (PDF)

USSSA Fastpitch

Fastpitch Rule Book and By-Laws, 18th edition (printed December 2025). USSSA travel and tournament fastpitch.

A coach may utilize exclusively one-way electronic communication devices from the dugout/bench area only (when on defense) and from the dugout/bench area or the coach's box (when on offense) for the purpose of relaying signals to his/her players.

A coach may use "exclusively one-way electronic communication devices" from the dugout or bench area on defense, and from the dugout, bench area or coach's box on offense, "for the purpose of relaying signals to his/her players" (Rule 2, Section 13).
The device must be worn as the manufacturer designed it and must be commercially available to the public. Customized systems and devices are prohibited.
No two-way devices, "such as cell phones, pagers, walkie talkies, etc," may be worn or carried onto the field.
The rule names no device type and does not limit which players may wear a receiver. Using the devices is each team's own decision.
Electronic communication, television monitoring or replay equipment is otherwise prohibited during the game except as authorized by Rule 2.13 (Rule 12, item G).
Penalty: first offense, a team warning and removal of the illegal devices; second offense, the head coach is ejected and the team loses the right to use the devices for the rest of the game.

Sources: USSSA Fastpitch Rule Book, 18th edition (PDF); USSSA Fastpitch rules and legal information

NCAA

2026 Softball Rules Interpretations, Clarifications and Reminders (updated March 24, 2026). College softball. One-way devices were adopted ahead of the 2024 season.

An exclusively one-way device "from the dugout or the coaches' boxes for the purpose of relaying the pitch or play call is permitted on defense and offense" (Rule 5.9.9).
In-ear devices are limited to the catcher on defense. Coaches may wear the same in-ear device in the dugout, but not on the field in any capacity.
Players may not carry or wear any device capable of transmitting information on the field, including a cell phone or smart watch, except as Rule 5.9.9 allows (Rule 5.9.8). A smartwatch used as a one-way receiver falls under that exception; a personal one does not.
Two-way devices such as cell phones, iPads and tablets may not be used to send signals to players from a team area or a coach's box.
Smart or AI glasses are prohibited on the field for coaches and players.
Penalty: the umpire warns the violator and the head coach; if the violator does not comply at once, the head coach is ejected.

Sources: NCAA Softball Rules Interpretations, Clarifications and Reminders, 2026 season (PDF); Team Insight: NCAA Softball Rule Changes for 2024 Season

Travel organizations set their own lines

Two examples. Your tournament's rules page is the one that counts on game day.

Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF)

PGF Rules, Rule 5.9.9 (2024)

A one-way device "may be used by the offense or defense to relay a pitch or play from the dugout to the field."
In-ear, hat or helmet audio devices: only the catcher may wear one.
Wristband-style digital devices may be worn by any player on defense or offense; PGF encourages players to remove them while at bat and not to refer to them in the box.

Source: PGF playing rules

NSA Fastpitch

NSA memo to umpires-in-chief, June 1, 2026, citing Fastpitch Rule 5, Section 11

A one-way transmitter may relay signals or plays to the offense and the defense.
An approved wearable may be worn by all players; an approved earpiece may be worn by the catcher.
On offense the coach may transmit from the dugout or the coaches' box; on defense, from the dugout.
Smart sunglasses and coach-to-coach earpieces violate NSA's electronic device definition. Penalty: warning to the head coach, then ejection.

Source: NSA Electronic Devices memo, June 2026 (PDF)

Equipment by ruleset

Read across a row to see where a piece of gear or a use is allowed. Read down a column for one rulebook.

Yes means the rulebook permits it as read on the review date. Limited means permitted with a condition in the note. Not addressed means the text we read is silent, so ask the umpire-in-chief.
Equipment or use	NFHS, 2026 season	NFHS, 2027 season	USA Softball	USSSA	NCAA
Coach sends calls from the dugout on defense (phone, app or transmitter)	Yes Dugout or bench area only.	Yes Dugout or bench area only.	Yes From the dugout.	Yes Dugout or bench area only on defense.	Yes Dugout or coaches' boxes.
Coach sends signals on offense	No Defense only.	No Defense only.	Yes Base coach may carry a one-way device in the box.	Yes From the dugout, bench or coach's box.	Yes From the dugout or coaches' boxes.
Catcher wears a smartwatch or wristband receiver	Yes Named in the 2025 exception.	Yes Unchanged.	Yes No device type is restricted.	Yes Must be commercially available and worn as designed.	Yes Covered by the Rule 5.9.9 exception.
Catcher wears an earpiece	Yes Named in the 2025 exception.	Yes Unchanged.	Yes No device type is restricted.	Yes No device type is restricted.	Yes The only player who may wear an in-ear device.
Pitcher wears a smartwatch or wristband receiver	No Catcher only.	Yes New for 2027.	Yes All players may receive.	Yes Rule covers "his/her players".	Yes Wearable, not in-ear.
Pitcher wears an earpiece	No Catcher only.	Yes New for 2027; NFHS names no device type for pitchers.	Yes No device type is restricted.	Yes No device type is restricted.	No In-ear is limited to the catcher.
Other fielders wear a receiver	No Catcher only.	No Catcher and pitcher only.	Yes All players may receive.	Yes Rule covers "his/her players".	Yes Wearable, not in-ear.
Batter or runner wears a receiver	No No device use on offense.	No No device use on offense.	Yes Offense may receive one-way signals.	Yes Offense may receive one-way signals.	Yes Wearable, not in-ear.
Two-way device, or a player who can answer back	No The player may not return correspondence.	No Unchanged.	No Disqualification or ejection after a warning.	No Phones, pagers, walkie-talkies barred from the field.	No Phones, iPads and tablets named.
Player transmits or records audio or video from the field	No Barred by the 2026 change.	No Still barred.	Not addressed Only devices that talk to people outside the field are named.	Not addressed Replay and monitoring equipment barred; recording not named.	No Rule 5.9.8; phone cameras barred in team areas during the game.
Coach-to-coach headsets or earpieces	No Device may reach the catcher only.	No Device may reach the catcher and pitcher only.	No Barred by Rules Supplement 11A.	No Two-way devices barred.	Limited A coach may wear the catcher's in-ear device in the dugout, never on the field.
Home-built or modified system	Not addressed Not addressed.	Not addressed Not addressed.	Not addressed Not addressed.	No Must be commercially available, worn as designed.	Not addressed Not addressed.

How Callerz fits

Callerz is a one-way system by design. The coach taps a pitch on an Android phone in the dugout. Every paired Wear OS watch shows the call. The watch app has no buttons for sending anything to the phone, and Ping goes from the phone to the watch, not back. Spoken calls and Hold to Talk play through a Bluetooth earbud connected to the phone, so the catcher hears the coach and the coach hears nothing in return.

Under NFHS rules that means a catcher's watch or earbud is legal now, and a pitcher's watch becomes legal with the 2027 season. Under USA Softball and USSSA any player may wear the watch. Under NCAA rules the watch is fine on any defender and the earbud belongs to the catcher only. The coach, not the app, is responsible for staying in the dugout, using it only on defense where the rule says so, and checking the tournament's own page.

Call pitches within the rules

$4.99 once on Google Play. Phone app and Wear OS app included.

Questions about the rules

Can a high school pitcher wear a smartwatch for pitch calls?

Starting with the 2027 season, yes. The NFHS Softball Rules Committee voted in June 2026 to let pitchers join catchers as the only players who may receive one-way electronic communication from the dugout. Through the 2026 season it is catcher only.

Is Callerz legal under NFHS rules?

Callerz is one-way by design. The coach taps on a phone in the dugout, the catcher's watch shows the call, and the player has no way to send anything back. That matches what NFHS permits for the catcher now and for the pitcher from 2027. The coach, not the app, is responsible for staying in the dugout and following state and tournament rules.

Do USA Softball and USSSA limit who can wear a receiver?

No. Both allow one-way devices for the offense and the defense and neither names a device type or a position. USSSA adds that the device must be commercially available and worn as the manufacturer designed it.

Can the catcher wear an earbud at every level?

Under NFHS, USA Softball, USSSA and NCAA, yes. NCAA and PGF go further and make the catcher the only player who may wear an in-ear device.

What if my tournament has its own rule?

Tournament and state association rules can be stricter than the national rulebook. Email the tournament director before the first game and show the device to the umpire crew at the plate meeting.

Sources

This page summarizes rule text as published by each organization on the review date. It is not legal advice, and rulebooks change every season. When in doubt, the current rulebook and the umpire-in-chief decide.

NFHS: One-Way Electronic Communication Approved for High School Softball (accessed September 20, 2026)
NFHS: Softball Rules Changes, 2025 (accessed September 20, 2026)
NFHS: Electronic Communication by Players Clarified in High School Softball (accessed September 20, 2026)
NFHS: One-way Electronic Communications Allowed for Pitchers Under 2027 High School Softball Rules Changes (accessed September 20, 2026)
OHSAA reprint of the NFHS release (accessed September 20, 2026)
USA Softball 2025 Rule Changes (PDF) (accessed September 20, 2026)
USA Softball 2026 Official Rules (PDF) (accessed September 20, 2026)
USA Softball Plays and Clarifications, January 2025 (PDF) (accessed September 20, 2026)
USSSA Fastpitch Rule Book, 18th edition (PDF) (accessed September 20, 2026)
USSSA Fastpitch rules and legal information (accessed September 20, 2026)
NCAA Softball Rules Interpretations, Clarifications and Reminders, 2026 season (PDF) (accessed September 20, 2026)
Team Insight: NCAA Softball Rule Changes for 2024 Season (accessed September 20, 2026)
PGF playing rules (accessed September 20, 2026)
NSA Electronic Devices memo, June 2026 (PDF) (accessed September 20, 2026)