Overview
- The system will be used in all regular-season games except the Mexico City Series (Diamondbacks vs. Padres, Apr. 25–26), the Field of Dreams Game (Twins vs. Phillies, Aug. 13) and the Little League Classic (Brewers vs. Braves, Aug. 23) because those venues lack the required infrastructure.
- Each club gets two challenges in a nine-inning game and one per extra inning, with a successful challenge retained; only the batter, pitcher or catcher may signal within two seconds by touching helmet or cap as the pitch graphic appears in-stadium and on TV.
- Cameras track every pitch against batter-specific zones set at 53.5% of height for the top and 27% for the bottom, with measurements taken from 10 a.m. to noon during spring training and verified by the Southwest Research Institute.
- In last spring’s trials across 13 parks, teams won 52.2% of 1,182 challenges and reviews averaged 13.8 seconds.
- Managers expect catchers to lead most challenges and plan to conserve them for high-leverage moments, with several emphasizing that preserving the game’s human element and emotion remains important.