MLB's Automated Ball-Strike System May Debut in 2026 Season

The foundations of baseball might see a technological upheaval come 2026, as Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred hints at the potential introduction of an Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) in the regular season.

Aimed at refining the accuracy of ball and strike calls, this system has already undergone experimental runs during spring training, covering 288 games with intriguing results. Teams had a successful challenge rate of 52.2% when disputing ball/strike decisions via ABS.

Manfred noted, "I do think that we’re going to pursue the possibility of change in that process and we’ll see what comes out at the end of that. The teams are really positive about ABS." His informal barometer for public interest, what he calls his "email traffic," indicates a growing clamor among fans advocating for ABS after its trial run.

In parallel explorations, baseball is also testing the waters with a technology-aided system to review checked-swing calls, specifically in the Class A Florida State League since May. However, this isn’t currently in the cards for a major league rollout in 2026.

Manfred added, "I think we've got to get over the hump in terms of either doing ABS or not doing it before you’d get into the complication of a separate kind of challenge." The league appears to be in the throes of weighing ABS implementation before considering other technological integrations.

With these technological initiatives testing the traditional fabric of America's pastime, fans and officials alike watch eagerly to see how these changes might enliven or disrupt the game they hold dear.