"The MLB has a player-controlled Automated Ball-Strike system (ABS) this season that lets a player tap on their hat shortly after a call to challenge the umpire. An AI-powered robot judge kicks in and quickly displays an easy-to-understand screen showing the strike zone and the pitch location on TV for the audience at home, as well as on the in-stadium jumbotron for everyone at the ballgame."
"In practice, this means that batters who don't swing can now immediately turn around after an ump calls a strike and demand a robo-review, and seconds later get the call overturned as a ball while the audience cheers on the umpire being proven wrong in real-time."
The 2026 MLB season introduces a player-controlled Automated Ball-Strike system that enables players to challenge umpire calls. Players signal for a review by tapping their hats, prompting an AI-powered robot judge to display the pitch location and strike zone. The review process is quick, with final results shown on screens for fans. If a challenge is successful, teams can challenge again, but repeated failures limit further challenges. This system has already led to notable moments, including overturned calls and crowd reactions against umpires.
Read at Kotaku
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