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First Look at Robot Umps Overturning Strike Call in 2025 MLB Spring Training

MLB is testing an Automated Ball-Strike challenge system in roughly 60% of spring training games in 2025.

Tim Capurso

The Automated Ball-Strike challenge system during a minor-league baseball game.
The Automated Ball-Strike challenge system during a minor-league baseball game. / Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
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As it seeks a solution somewhere between full-on robot umpires and human umpires calling balls and strikes, MLB is experimenting with one such compromise—an Automated Ball-Strike challenge system—during spring training games in 2025.

The Automated Ball-Strike system, or ABS system, which was tested at the Triple-A level during the 2023 and '24 seasons, is slated to be featured in roughly 60% of games this spring. As clubs begin training for game action with live batting practice sessions, the ABS system is being previewed for hitters and pitchers.

During a Wednesday live batting practice session with San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish on the mound, a pitch that was initially called a strike was challenged and then overturned into a ball.

Take a look at video, courtesy of Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan.

The system also made an appearance during a live batting practice session between New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and pitcher Luis Gil.

Per the system utilized in minor league baseball this past season, each team in spring training will start with two challenges and will only lose a challenge if the umpire's call is confirmed. Only the batter, pitcher or catcher can challenge a call, and can signal their intention to do so by tipping their cap or helmet to the umpire. Using Hawk-Eye technology, a replay will be shown on the video scoreboard, just as it was in the clip above. There will be no additional challenges in extra innings.

The technology already has its critics, namely Darvish, who, after shaking his head, said through his interpreter that he felt the system was inaccurate.

"I feel like there were probably about two pitches that I thought were strikes that were called balls," Darvish said. "Given that, I do not like it."

With plenty of experimentation to come this spring, it will be interesting to see how other players and managers react to the ABS system.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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