Major League Baseball (MLB) will implement a groundbreaking Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System in the 2026 season. This system, developed after years of minor league testing and use in MLB Spring Training and the All-Star Game, represents a significant evolution in the sport’s history.
Human umpires will continue their traditional roles, but their ball and strike calls will be subject to challenges. According to MLB.com, the Hawk-Eye technology, already utilized for pitch tracking, will provide the basis for these challenges. Only the batter, catcher, or pitcher can initiate a challenge.
Upon a challenge, the Hawk-Eye view will be displayed via a 5G network provided by T-Mobile’s Advanced Network Solutions, visible both in the stadium and on television broadcasts. The umpire’s call will then be either upheld or overturned.
T-Mobile, a key partner in this technological advancement, celebrates this milestone as a way to innovate while preserving the essence of baseball. This system provides a middle ground, acknowledging human umpire imperfection while preventing a complete transition to automated umpiring.
The integration of this technology follows years of debate. Previous surveys of baseball fans revealed a spectrum of opinions regarding the role of technology in the game, with a general consensus favoring retaining the human umpire while improving accuracy.
MLB.com offers a comprehensive FAQ detailing the rules surrounding the ABS Challenge System, such as the number of allowed challenges per team and the procedural aspects of its implementation. This system marks a significant technological leap for baseball, aiming to enhance accuracy and fairness while upholding the game’s traditional spirit.