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4w ago

MLB's Automated Ball-Strike System Achieves 52.2% Overturn Rate in Spring Training Tests

The challenge-based system showed improved accuracy and minimal game disruption, with potential for regular-season implementation by 2026.

Jazz Chisholm successfully challenged a called third strike using the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system during a Spring Training game.
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Overview

  • The Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) was used in 60% of 2025 Spring Training games across 13 ballparks, covering 19 teams, and achieved a 52.2% overturn rate on ball/strike challenges.
  • Challenges averaged 4.1 per game, with each review adding just 13.8 seconds to game time, contributing to a slight increase in average game length from 2 hours and 35 minutes to 2 hours and 38 minutes.
  • Catchers had the highest success rate at 56%, while pitchers had the lowest at 41%, and batters succeeded in 50% of their challenges.
  • Overturn rates were higher earlier in games, peaking at 57% in the first three innings and declining to 41% by the ninth inning.
  • MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated the ABS system could be introduced in regular-season games as early as 2026, pending further testing and refinement.