Major League Baseball returns Wednesday with a new system in place. For the first time, players and managers can challenge ball and strike calls using a robot umpire system known as the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system.
Breakdown
- Players can now challenge ball or strike calls using the ABS system 10s
- Each team gets two challenges per game; successful ones are retained 36s
- ABS adjusts strike zone by player height and uses stadium cameras 1m 1s
- System tested in minor leagues since 2022, averaging four challenges per game 1m 51s
- TV strike zone graphic now matches the ABS system's strike zone 2m 35s