Overview
- The Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) is being trialed in 13 spring training ballparks, covering 60% of games, after years of testing in the minor leagues.
- Players, including pitchers, batters, and catchers, can challenge ball-strike calls within two seconds of a pitch, with each team allotted two challenges per game.
- The first use of the system occurred during a Cubs-Dodgers game, where a successful challenge overturned an umpire's call, showcasing the system's functionality.
- While some players and managers appreciate the system's potential for accuracy, others, including Yu Darvish, have raised concerns about its consistency and impact on the game's human element.
- The system is not expected to be used in the 2025 regular season, but MLB is gathering player and team feedback to refine the technology for possible adoption in 2026.