Since baseball’s creation in the 1800’s, rules revolving around the game have drastically changed. Originally, pitching mounds were 45 feet from home plate. Pitchers also used to throw underhand until overhand pitching was legalized in 1884. What is considered modern day baseball is agreed to have started in 1901, with the introduction of the National and American League as rules and regulations for the game began to become more coherent.
The 2023 season marked the latest period of substantial changes for MLB, with the enforcement of the pitch clock, infield shift, enlarged bases, and universal designated hitters. With the 2026 MLB spring training nearly halfway over, one other change is already making a big impact: the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS).
Originally introduced and implemented into Minor League Baseball in 2022, the ABS system has proven it’s usefulness, properly challenging missed calls made by umpires. Combined with widespread fan approval and positive results, the MLB decided to implement the system into the Majors for the 2026 season.
The ABS system works with the cooperation of 12 separate “hawk eye” cameras that work together to track the location of each pitch in correlation to the batter’s strikezone. If the batter or pitcher/catcher feel as if the umpire got the call wrong, then they can challenge the pitch, therefore displaying it on the stadiums video board instantaneously to see the correct call. Teams who incorrectly challenge a pitch will lose one of their two challenge opportunities, however if they get the call correct they will retain both of their challenges. The whole process only lasts 30-45 seconds.
Initial thoughts regarding the ABS system in MLB spring training has mostly been positive from the coaches and players. With this being the first time many veteran big leaguers will see the system in action, it will be interesting to see their reactions, especially in a post-season setting.
“I think it’s interesting,” Colorado Rockies outfielder Hunter Goodman said to newspage Purple Row. “But I think in those big situations – in big games – it gives the player the power if they think something was wrong versus getting rung up in a big situation. Now you have the power to say, ‘Alright, I think that was wrong.’ So I think it’ll be cool to see. I think there’ll be some fan interaction with it, and that’ll be exciting as well.”
It’s introduction has brought up high praise from players for how difficult it is to umpire a Major League game.
“I think my biggest takeaway from ABS so far is that people really, really, really do not give umpires enough credit for how great they are at a truly difficult job,” MLB state analyst Mike Petriello said on Bluesky (per Purple Row).
Many also agree that the ABS system keeps umpires in check, making sure they learn from their mistakes, especially in big moments.
“It keeps umpires accountable,” Rockies outfielder Brentan Doyle said to Purple Row. “When the umpires do miss, they know what they’re missing, so I think it’s a good reminder for them, and it’s also a chance for us to maybe get some good out of it too.”
It will be interesting to see further complications or cicrumstances occur because of the ABS system. Feedback has mostly been positive from coaches and players of the league, with many teams already finding strategies to get the most out of its oppertunities.
