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Major League Baseball’s Automated Ball-Striking System (ABS) had arguably its finest moment Saturday afternoon during spring training.
In a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, Robbie Ray faced Sean Mooney, who was at the plate for the tying run in a 3-0 game and a 0-2 count with two outs in the top of the fourth.
Mooney took a low sinker that was called a ball by home plate umpire Bill Miller, but catcher Patrick Bailey challenged the call.
Only a batter, catcher or pitcher can challenge calls, and the challenge must be almost immediate. Each team receives two and keeps the good challenges.
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MLB umpire Bill Miller during the first inning of a game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Reggie Hildred/USA Today Sports)
Miller announced to the crowd that the Giants were disputing the call to opt out of the inning, but he accidentally left his mic on, leading to a hilarious misstep.
“Please strike,” Miller said, before quickly realizing that everyone had just heard him. Bailey also had a pretty hysterical reaction.
Miller was actually convinced his call was wrong, but it was over 100 degrees in Scottsdale, so maybe Miller just wanted to calm down.
MLB umpire Bill Miller during a New York Mets game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
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Miller didn’t get his wish. His call was correct to within three-tenths of an inch. Two pitches later, Mooney struck out and everyone was able to calm down for a moment.
The ABS system was implemented during last year’s spring training after years of experimentation in the minor leagues and the Arizona Fall League, and it will finally be introduced in the regular season this year.
The system brings some interesting nuances as strike zones will be based on each hitter’s exact height, resulting in many changes to multiple players’ listed measurements.
Home plate umpire Bill Miller gestures during the 10th inning of a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park. (Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)
The Giants will host the New York Yankees on Wednesday, while the other 28 teams open their seasons the following day.
