The Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), presented by T-Mobile, will be tested in roughly 60% of Spring Training games this year as MLB evaluates whether it’s ready for the Major League level. The system, which tracks pitch location with high precision, aims to make ball-and-strike calls based on where pitches cross the plate.

While many are hopeful that this will reduce controversial calls, MLB is taking a cautious approach. They’re using the exhibition season to gather feedback and data to ensure the technology can maintain fairness without undermining the tradition of human involvement in the game. This experiment is part of MLB’s broader effort to modernize the game while preserving its core values.

The ABS will be tested under real-game conditions to determine whether it can improve the accuracy of the strike zone without compromising the integrity of the game. Since 1864, the strike zone has been a source of disagreement, with players and managers frequently challenging umpires’ calls. Over the years, these calls have sparked countless arguments, ejections, and even physical confrontations. As technology advanced, the idea of replacing human umpires with robots gained traction.

How Does the ABS Challenge System Work?

The ABS Challenge System is designed to provide the best of both worlds—enhanced pitch tracking technology with the human element of challenges. It’s a key part of MLB’s efforts to modernize the game while preserving some of the traditions that make baseball unique. As the system is tested during Spring Training, both players and fans will have the chance to see how effective this hybrid approach is in ensuring fairness and accuracy on the field.

“This is a pretty big decision for the game of baseball,” said MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword, “that we want to get everybody to weigh in on.”

After a pitch is called a ball or strike by the ABS, players can challenge the call if they believe it was incorrect. Teams are typically given a set number of challenges per game (usually one or two), and if the challenge is successful, the call is overturned. If it’s not, the team loses a challenge for the remainder of the game. This system aims to strike a balance between technology and human oversight, ensuring that incorrect calls can still be reviewed and adjusted when necessary.

How Will the ABS Challenge System Impact the MLB?

The introduction of the ABS Challenge System has the potential to significantly change the dynamic of Major League Baseball, blending cutting-edge technology with the traditional human element. By allowing players to challenge ball-and-strike calls, the system could shift the way managers and players approach the game, creating a more strategic layer to the decision-making process.

Additionally, the ABS Challenge System could alter how umpires and players interact during games. While human umpires would still have the final authority in overseeing the game, players would no longer have to rely solely on their ability to argue calls.

However, the success of the ABS Challenge System in adding a new dynamic depends on how well it’s integrated into the game. If it disrupts the flow too much or leads to frequent delays, it could detract from the game’s pace.

On the other hand, if it enhances fairness and adds a compelling new layer of strategy, it could become an integral part of the sport. As MLB continues to test the system, the potential for this hybrid approach to reshape the dynamics of baseball is something players, managers, and fans will be watching closely.