For players at FAU, limiting the opposing players’ ability to steal signs from the pitching coach is the most significant change that earpieces would provide.
In August 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) formally announced the approval of the use of one-way headsets for the 2022 baseball season as a way for catchers to communicate with their coaches to prevent sign stealing.
Not only will the headset help stop sign stealing by opposing players, but the five seconds or so a catcher would spend watching signs from his coach will be shaved, leading to a potential reduction of 20 minutes per game.