Major League Baseball brought the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system to select Spring Training games this year, which was met with general approval across the sport.
While home-plate umpires were still tasked with calling balls and strikes, players had the opportunity to ask for a challenge by tapping the top of their head. A review would then follow, with assistance from Hawk-Eye technology that monitors the exact location of the pitch.
The ABS challenge system isn’t be used in regular season games this year, but some believe it could factor into the Majors as soon as the 2026 campaign.
When asked about the possibility, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he wouldn’t be surprised if the ABS challenge system doesn’t arrive until after the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is in place, via Michael S. Schmidt of The New York Times:
“Here’s why I’m uncertain: We could go to the M.L.B.P.A. and say we want to go in 2026. Given that’s a bargaining year, it would not be shocking for them to say: “Let’s deal with this in bargaining. Let’s wait.””
The ABS challenge system potentially being delayed another year for the sole purpose of negotiation tactics would be unfortunate, but likely necessary to help facilitate a deal between MLB and the Players Association.
It is widely believed that MLB is heading toward another lockout after the 2026 season, and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark recently alluded to that as well.
The Los Angeles Dodgers figure to receive some blame for the seemingly inevitable MLB lockout, as a salary cap is expected to be one of the core issues at the center of CBA negotiations.
Max Muncy among Dodgers in favor of ABS challenge system
The Dodgers got their first look of the ABS challenge system during their 2025 Spring Training opener against the Chicago Cubs when Cody Poteet challenged his 0-1 pitch to Max Muncy.
The original call of a ball was overturned by ABS and the count became 1-1 rather than 2-0.
“It’s interesting. I don’t hate the idea of it,” Muncy said of the ABS challenge system. “The technology, I think they’ll admit, is not entirely there yet, but it’s a cool idea. I like it. It’s cool, something that’s different.
“When that ball crossed, I thought it was a strike right away. I looked out there and he’s tapping his head, I’m like, ‘Well, I’m going to be the first one.’ I knew it was a strike. The idea of it is cool and it’s definitely interesting, but we’ll see how it progresses.”
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