Everything to know about MLB’s new ABS robot challenge system — and the potential for humiliation
Published on March 25, 2026.
Major League Baseball has introduced the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), a robot system that allows teams to appeal strike zone decisions to be made using 12 Hawk-Eye cameras. Major League Baseball's new system allows teams of teams to challenge strike zone calls to a system based on Hawk-eye cameras. However, umpires were overall their most accurate ever last season, with an average of 10.88 missed calls per game, down from an average 16.58 missed calls in 2016. While the accuracy rate of big league umps was the highest, the 92.83% accuracy rate was also the highest. Under ABS, each team gets two challenges per game and keeps a challenge if successful, with the team out of challenges receiving one additional challenge each extra inning.
Related Articles
Posey discusses SF Giants’ Opening Day roster choices, decision to DFA Matos
The Giants chose to release Luis Matos from their Opening Day squad, prioritizing Jared Oliva, due to his defensive abilities and emergence of Victor Bericoto.
TUCSON NOW: Damien Alameda previews U of A’s Sweet Sixteen appearance
Damien Alameda discusses the University of Arizona's upcoming Sweet Sixteen match against Arkansas, discussing the importance of the tournament and the need for increased awareness of social media.
‘It must stop:’ Florida AG threatens NFL over civil rights violations
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier threatens the NFL with civil rights violations for its race-based hiring policies, urging compliance with the Rooney Rule and non-compliance with regulations.