Ball or strike? How MLB’s upcoming ABS system could change the game

By Adam Foley

The world is always changing… and so is the game of baseball. Throughout MLB history we’ve seen many changes, whether its rules, dimensions, and how the game is played through strategies. However, as the world continues to evolve with new technology, baseball is following suit.

In 2015, one of the first electronic technologies introduced to the MLB was Statcast, a technology that uses high-speed radar cameras to track ball movement, distances, exit velocity, and speed.

In 2022, MLB introduced PitchCom. A piece of technology that pitchers and catchers can use to communicate to decide what pitch to throw. Before this, catchers would rely on hand signals to communicate, however this proposed challenge as many players would steal the pitch signs to give them an advantage. The biggest example of this was in 2017 when the Houston Astros won the World Series in large part because of stealing hand signs. This obviously went against MLB trying to make the league fair. Now with pitchcom, it makes it almost impossible for teams to steal signs.

So with all these technologies, what’s next? This season the MLB is introducing a system called ABS, Automatic Ball Strike Challenging System. Where batters, pitchers and catchers can challenge a strike or ball call if they feel that decision the umpire made was not correct.

Each team gets two challenges per game, however, if they decide to challenge the call their team retains the challenge.

Now this seems good, right? Are calls going to be more accurate and fair? Well, it’s not all good, according to many observers.

So, what are some of the things we can expect?

1. Pace of play

Over the past few seasons, MLB has tried to cut down the length of games. Before 2023, the average time for some games was around 4 hours. With the pitch clock, it has been cut down to around two and a half hours. Since the league has been doing their best to shorten games, will this challenge system affect it. The short answer is yes. The reason for this is because of the time it takes to review a call, not only that but in spring training 2026 there have been multiple malfunctions where they have been unable to review calls. This poses its own challenges as not only are they taking the time to stop the game but for it not to work not only waste time, but also ruins the review for whoever challenged it. This could play into it not being fair as if the system only works some of time how will this be beneficial for the league.

2. What does this mean for umpires?

There have been some really great umpires, but there have also been some really bad ones when it comes to making strike zone calls. Not only is the system helping get rid of the bad calls, but in some ways it is “showing up” the umpire. Not only is this a jab at officials, but it’s also taking away their jobs and giving it to technology. So, this also begs the question; will umpires be replaced? “I’m not an umpire,” starting pitcher Chris Sale. “That’s their job… I’m a starting pitcher. I’ve never called balls and strikes in my life.” This was his response when asked about if he will ever challenge a pitch.

3. The game of framing

Since baseball was a thing, catcher framing has always been a big part of the game. It makes the position more strategic and makes skill involved. Take as an example Alejandro Kirk, the Catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays is one of the top skilled catchers when it comes to framing. This is gonna have a huge impact on catchers like him as if a batter can challenge a close pitch, why even frame the pitch to begin with? Unless the opposing teams run out of their challenges this skill becomes useless.

4. Pressure situation?

One of the biggest questions that will be asked is what happens in the post-season? Could a World Series game come down to a challenged pitch? Is that good for the game of baseball? Nobody really knows how this system is going to play out during the season and if it will even last past this year.

2026 will be the first regular season of the MLB that this technology will be used. Now, it has been used in spring training so most players have gotten used to it. With 162 games in the season, it’s going to be put to the ultimate test.