Baseball purists look away – the human element is slowly withdrawn from the game.
Major League Baseball is implementing the Ball-Strike Automated Challenge system (ABS) for the first time this spring; It has been tested in the minor leagues since 2021.
Well, spring training matches officially started on Thursday, while the Chicago Cubs visited the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Cactus League in Arizona – and it did not take long for ABS entering vigor.
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A general view of a referee handing a bullet during the second round between the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park in Camden Yards on April 22, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
On her seventh throw, the Chicago launcher, Cody Poteet, launched a quick bullet of 95 MPH and Max Muncy, and she was originally called ball.
The right -hander disagreed with the call and immediately typed his hat twice, which is considered to be the fan of red deficits for launchers and strikers when they want the call to be given a second look.
Indeed, the instincts of Poteet were correct, and the call was overthrown, which made it an account of 0-2 instead of 1-1.
Cody Poteet # 38 of the Chicago Cubs trains during spring training in Sloan Park on February 16, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. (Matt Dirksen / Chicago Cubs / Getty Images)
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The whole test lasted 25 seconds and the game was in class shortly after. The average challenge of ABS among minors took 17 seconds, which should not affect the rhythm of the game, which has increased considerably in the middle of the rule changes of Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Last year, Manfred said that the 2026 season was a “viable option” to implement the full -time system.
This spring, the teams will obtain two challenges per game, but will be able to keep each challenge won. Only the striker, the launcher or the receiver can contest a call, and he must be immediately after the call without the help of the bench or other players.
The New York Yankes Yankees Center Player Aaron Judge (99) and manager Aaron Boone (17) argue with the marble referee Ryan Blakney (36) in the seventh round against the Tigers de Detroit Yankee stadium. (Wendell Cruzusa today Sports)
This is another big change in the sport commanded by Manfred, which implemented a pitch timer, larger bases and quarter -work limits in 2023. However, fans seem to love changes, As attendance has increased in each of the last two years.
