This Tuesday’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Truist Park, Atlanta, promises to feature the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) system, which could become a staple in the league by next season. The ABS challenge system allows players to request video reviews for a limited number of strike or ball calls during the game.

How the ABS System Works
The ABS is tailored to individual player heights rather than a standard strike zone typically presented in broadcasts. Unlike a purely automated method, human umpires will continue to make most calls. Players signal a challenge by tapping their helmets, and video replay will determine the accurate decision. Each team has two challenges, and if correct, they retain them—a system akin to current game replay methods. During spring training, teams successfully challenged 52.2% of calls.

The ABS has already been utilized in minor league games, and its implementation means each player’s strike zone is crafted based on their specific body stance instead of a standardized one. The technology utilized integrates camera systems and limb-tracking, significantly enhancing pitch location accuracy.

Future of ABS in Regular-Season Games
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has proposed introducing the ABS system in regular-season games by 2026. The transition may not be without challenges, especially regarding players’ willingness to contest calls during a major event such as the All-Star Game. However, this game serves as a significant occasion for showcasing this technology.