One of the new rules for 2025 is the Defensive Conference Rule.  Below is a closer look and rule interpretation. 

2.11 Defensive Conference Rule

Each team shall be allowed six (6) defensive conferences per game, no more than three (3) of which may include a coach. If the game goes into extra innings, the team will receive one (1) extra defensive conference plus any unused conferences from the first seven innings. A coach may be involved in any "extra" conference added to be used during extra innings. 

1) All umpires shall record offensive and defensive conferences, and the plate umpire should notify the coach when each conference is charged. 

2) After the maximum number of offensive (1 per inning) and defensive conferences have been used, the umpire shall warn the coach before penalizing the offending team. 

PENALTY for (2)—The player (pitcher) involved in the conference must be removed from the mound at the time of the offense. If it is in the middle of an at bat, the pitcher will finish the batter. The coach is ejected from the game.  

Interpretation of Rule 2.11

If the coach goes to the mound and makes a pitching change before the end of his conference, it does not count as a conference. Pitching changes do not count as a conference. 

If the team huddles around the mound at the start of the inning this would constitute a conference. If the third baseman hands the ball to the pitcher after the throw down this would not be a conference. Be proactive and warn the team the first time it happens. If it happens again, it is a conference.

After a pitching change, if the catcher goes back out to the mound after the pitcher finishes warming up, this would be considered a conference. Be proactive and warn the catcher about it being a conference before he goes out. If he still goes out, it is a conference. 

If after using all the conferences the catcher and pitcher get crossed up and need to get their signs down, this is allowed but the home plate umpire will walk out with the catcher to ensure only the signs are discussed.

A catcher (or any defensive player) may use all 6 defensive conferences. Coaches are limited to no more than 3 visits during a regulation game, unless defensive players have already used the conferences. (Example - If a defensive player uses 4 conferences, the coach would only have 2 left. If the players use all 6, the coach would not have any conferences and could only come out to make a pitching change.) 

The pitcher must be removed from the game on the second visit to the same pitcher in any inning. Make sure you do not allow 2 visits during the same at bat.