"Major League Baseball's 11-man competition committee on Tuesday approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System in the major leagues in 2026. Human plate umpires will still call balls and strikes, but teams have two challenges per game and get additional appeals in extra innings. Challenges must be made by a pitcher, catcher or batter signaled with a tap of the helmet or cap and a team retain their challenge if successful. Reviews will be shown as graphics on outfield videoboards."
"Adding robot umps is likely to cut down on ejections. MLB said 61.5% of ejections last year were related to balls and strikes, as were 60.3% this season through Sunday. Big league umpires call roughly 94% of pitches correctly, according to UmpScorecards. ABS, which utilizes Hawk-Eye cameras, has been tested in the minor leagues since 2019, MLB switched Triple-A to an all-challenge system in June 2024, then used the challenge system in spring training this year."
Major League Baseball approved the Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS) for 2026 while keeping human plate umpires. Teams will have two challenges per game, additional appeals in extra innings, and retain successful challenges; challenges must be signaled by a pitcher, catcher or batter with a tap of the helmet or cap. Reviews will display as graphics on outfield videoboards. ABS uses Hawk-Eye cameras and has been tested in the minors since 2019, including Triple-A and spring training. Big league umpires call roughly 94% of pitches correctly; ABS could reduce ejections tied to balls and strikes. The system calls strikes at the plate midpoint and players will be measured preseason for accurate height assessments; pitch framing remains in play.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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