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MLB Debuts Ball-Strike Challenge System at All-Star Game

The midseason showcase tests Hawk-Eye’s 5G-powered ABS challenges to inform MLB’s competition committee ahead of a vote on full-season adoption in 2026.

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Third base umpire Steven Jaschinski checks his notes with an array of cameras, some used to track pitches, in the outfield during a game where an Automated Balls and Strikes System is used during play as the Sacramento River Cats played the Tacoma Rainiers at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday May 28, 2024. 
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 5: The Atlanta 2025 All Star Game sign stands in left field at Truist Park on June 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Overview

  • MLB debuted the ABS challenge system at the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta, allowing pitchers, hitters and catchers to tap their caps or helmets to request ball-strike reviews.
  • Each league team received two challenges, which are retained if successful, following the same format used during spring training.
  • Hawk-Eye tracking over T-Mobile’s 5G network delivers instant animated replays of pitch locations on stadium scoreboards for umpire rulings.
  • Spring training trials recorded a 52.2% overturn rate on challenges and generated roughly 72% positive fan feedback with 69% favoring permanent implementation.
  • MLB’s competition committee is scheduled to meet later this summer to decide on extending ABS across the regular season in 2026.