Overview

• An 11‑member Joint Competition Committee voted to adopt the Automated Ball‑Strike Challenge System for all 2026 MLB games, including spring training, the regular season and the postseason.
• Only the pitcher, catcher or batter may challenge a ball/strike call immediately after the pitch, with two team challenges per game that are retained if successful and an extra opportunity granted upon entering each extra inning with none left.
• The system runs on a T‑Mobile 5G private network using 12 Hawk‑Eye cameras, compares pitch location to a standardized 2‑D strike zone 17 inches wide scaled to each certified player height, and displays outcomes on videoboards and broadcasts.
• MLB testing showed about 4.1 challenges per game in trials, a 52.2% overturn rate and reviews averaging roughly 13–15 seconds, with human umpires continuing to call every pitch.
• Commissioner Rob Manfred cited player preference for challenges over full automation, though the MLBPA said the players’ votes on the committee were not unanimous, and the owners’ six seats constituted a decisive bloc.