MLB Will Use Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System During Entire 2026 Season
Have you hated a call or two this season? Are you a fan of accuracy at the plate? Truth be told, umpiring is a tough job. Baseball fandoms love when they get a call that is favorable; but want to go scorched earth when a bad umpiring decision affects their favorite team negatively. Well, the league is officially fixing this issue, the MLB will use the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System during the entire 2026 season.
This change has been a long time coming. And the ABS has been thoroughly tested and proved to be successful and another useful component/feature of the game. While the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System was utilized in the minor leagues; many baseball fans got to enjoy a preview during this year’s All-Star Game.
A few players did try the system during the closely contested 2025 ASG that proved to be a real thriller. And both times in a matter of seconds a verdict was rendered; showing clear evidence and visuals of where the ball actually landed. Now this system will be brought up top, front and center; to be used by major leaguers.
MLB Will Use Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System During Entire 2026 Season
Furthermore, the league released a statement online explaining how the “robo-umps” will work during games next season. The MLB reveals,
“Major League Baseball will use the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) during the entire 2026 season
ABS CHALLENGE RULES:
– Each team will get two challenges and can keep them if they’re successful
– Challenges can only be initiated by a pitcher, catcher, or batter, and the request must come right after the pitch
– To signal a challenge, the pitcher, catcher, or batter will tap his hat or helmet to let the umpire know
– No help from the dugout or other players on the field is allowed
– In each extra inning, a team will be awarded a challenge if it has none remaining entering the inning
The ABS Challenge System powered by T-Mobile 5G network uses cameras set up around the perimeter of the field to track the location of each pitch and a graphic on the scoreboard shows the result of the challenge.”
You probably will not notice too much of a difference in games. Catchers, pitchers and batters are not going to want waste challenges. Only getting two, therefore, they are precious. So then, most will most likely opt to just keep the game going as usual.
However, in late innings or crucial parts of a game or series; being able to challenge a “bad” call will certainly be difference makers. Keeping the game fair and competitively balanced. A win-win situation for all.
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