Robot Umpires Officially Coming to MLB Next Season
▼ Summary
– MLB will implement its Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) for home plate calls starting in the 2026 season.
– The system will be used on a challenge basis, where players can request a review of a human umpire’s ball or strike call.
– Each team gets two challenges per game, which are not lost if the call is overturned, and only the pitcher, catcher, or batter can request a review.
– The ABS technology uses 12 Hawk-Eye cameras connected to a private 5G network to track the ball’s position for an accurate strike zone.
– The challenge system was chosen over full automation based on player preference, though its impact on the game’s strategy and enjoyment remains a topic of discussion.
Major League Baseball is set to introduce a groundbreaking change to America’s pastime, with the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) officially joining the big leagues starting in 2026. This decision follows extensive testing in the minor leagues, spring training, and special events like the 2025 All-Star Game. The move aims to bring a new level of precision to one of the game’s most debated elements: the strike zone.
Rather than replacing home plate umpires entirely, the system will operate on a challenge basis. Each team will have two challenges per game, available only to the pitcher, catcher, or batter involved in the play. If a challenge successfully overturns the umpire’s call, the team retains its challenge. League officials emphasize that the process is designed to be swift, taking roughly 15 seconds from request to result. To ensure accuracy, MLB will certify each player’s official height to tailor the strike zone to their individual stance and size.
The technology behind ABS relies on a network of 12 high-speed Hawk-Eye cameras positioned around the ballpark, all connected via a T-Mobile private 5G network. This setup tracks the trajectory of each pitch in real time, similar to systems already used in tennis for line calls and in football for precise down-and-distance measurements. The goal is to eliminate human error on close pitches while preserving the traditional role of the umpire.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted that player feedback significantly influenced the league’s approach. Players showed a strong preference for the challenge system over a fully automated strike zone, favoring the ability to question specific calls rather than removing the human element entirely. This hybrid model strikes a balance between technological accuracy and the flow of the game.
Reactions to the new system will likely vary depending on a player’s position or the game situation. A full count with the bases loaded, for example, might lead to different strategic use of a challenge compared to a less critical moment. Some observers also raise a broader question: does introducing millimeter-level precision enhance the sport’s fairness, or does it risk overshadowing the intangible drama that sometimes comes from human judgment?
During spring training trials, MLB collected revealing data on how the challenge system performed in real-game conditions. While specific numbers were not detailed in the initial announcement, the league indicated that the results supported moving forward with the challenge format. As the 2026 season approaches, players, fans, and officials alike will be watching closely to see how this technological evolution reshapes the experience of the game.
(Source: The Verge)