Terry Francona, Reds manager, has decided to opt out of the automated ball-strike challenge (ABS) trial during spring training, although he is supportive of its use for Cincinnati's minor league players who are familiar with the system. Francona expressed concerns that utilizing ABS would not benefit Major League teams and could detract from preparations for the season. The ABS allows players to challenge ball-strike calls, a feature not fully implemented by Major League Baseball this season but being trialed in select spring training locations.
I'm OK with seeing our younger kids do it because they've done it. It's not a strategy for [the MLB teams], so why work on it?
I don't want to make a farce of anything, but we're here getting ready for a season and that's not helping us get ready.
Major League Baseball is not fully adopting the system, which has been used in the minor leagues, this season but began a trial Thursday.
Teams are allowed two challenges per game, which must come from on-field players and not the dugout or manager.
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