MLB to adopt Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system in 2026
Major League Baseball will introduce an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system across spring training, the regular season and postseason starting in 2026. Under the new system, umpires will continue to make the initial ball/strike call, but pitchers, catchers or batters can immediately challenge that call. The system uses Hawk-Eye camera technology to track each pitch.
How the ABS challenge works
- Each team starts a game with two challenges; unsuccessful challenges cost a team one opportunity.
- If a team has no challenges left at the start of extra innings, it will receive an additional challenge for the extra play.
- The ABS system relies on a network of cameras; if any part of the pitch is shown touching the batter’s strike zone, it is ruled a strike.
- Only the pitcher, catcher or batter may initiate a challenge — coaches and other players cannot.
Background and context
ABS has been tested in the minors and was trialed during MLB spring training and the All-Star Game. MLB and other major sports have been increasingly using electronic systems (e.g., VAR in soccer, electronic line calls in tennis) to reduce clear human errors. While no system is perfect, ABS aims to provide a consistent backup for ball/strike calls that are often decided by millimeters.
Sources
What do you think — will ABS improve the game or take away from baseball’s human element? Share your thoughts below.