Spring training is in full swing in Florida and Arizona. All 30 teams are taking time to ramp up their activities to get ready for a brand new season. Top prospects are performing at a high level and household superstars are making fans crave opening day with their performance. Something else has taken baseball by storm this spring, and that’s the Automatic Balls and Strikes (ABS) system.
What is the ABS System?
The ABS system is going to change the game. Each team will begin the game with two challenges. Only three people can challenge: The batter, catcher, and pitcher. To initiate a challenge, the player will tap the top of their head to signal a challenge. If the player gets it correct and the call is overturned, the team retains their challenge. If the player gets the call wrong, they will lose their challenge. Once a team loses both their challenges, the calls from the umpires will stand as they did prior.
The Yankees went 6 for 7 in challenging strikes.
ABS might save Aaron Boone’s life 🤣 pic.twitter.com/oL82Ah92UW
— Joe Randazzo (@YankeeLibrarian) February 24, 2026
MLB Personal Reviews
The Commissioner and managers
This system has been in the works for some time. The best part of the system is the gamesmanship that comes with it. Teams are going to be strategic with when and how they use the system. “The strong preference from players for the challenge format over using the technology to call every pitch was a key factor in determining the system we are announcing today.”Comishoner Rob Manfred said. “The real goal for us has always been in the high-leverage situations when it really matters, to have an outlet where you can get a bad call corrected.”
“You can like it, dislike it, it doesn’t matter. It’s coming.” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It’s going to change the game. It’s going to change the game forever.”
Players Reviews
Managers are preparing their teams for the ABS system. Some players will have restrictions on who can challenge or not at the plate. This is in attempt to preserve the challenge for egregious calls late in the game. Players like Aaron Judge have a good concept of the strike zone, and get certain pitches called on them, like the low pitch.
“We’ve got to get a feel for it.” Judge said at the start of spring training. “We’ve got to use it… I’m excited for it. I think it’s going to be a little weird, because I’m not an umpire. I’m a hitter.”
Some have lobbied over the past week after seeing the system in action for full implementation. The umpire union is not likely to approve something like that because it takes a big portion of the home plate umpires job away. Players still like the human element of calling balls and strikes in the game.
“I still love the human element of the game. That’s kind of been my thing growing up.” Judge added. “I don’t know if it’s old school or not, but I just love having the umpire back there, the human feel.”
The implementation of the ABS system is going to make the game of baseball better. It’s going to revolutionize the way the game is played for the better, and it’s time to embrace the change.
(Top Image Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images)
