In a historic moment during a spring training game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitcher Cody Poteet challenged a call using the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) for the first time. The 95 mph fastball that Poteet threw to Dodgers slugger Max Muncy was initially called a ball by plate umpire Tony Randazzo, but upon review, it was determined to be a strike, changing the count and ultimately leading to Muncy striking out.
The ABS system, which is being tested in select spring training ballparks, allows teams to challenge two calls per game, with no additional challenges in extra innings. Only players on the field – batters, pitchers, or catchers – can initiate a challenge by tapping their helmet or cap within 2 seconds of the call. The process, which includes a quick review and announcement of the updated count, is estimated to take an average of 17 seconds.
Both teams, the Cubs and the Dodgers, are part of the early testing of the ABS system as they prepare for their upcoming series in Tokyo to kick off the regular season. The Dodgers fielded some of their regular players in the spring training opener, while Japanese star Shohei Ohtani continues his recovery from offseason surgery and is expected to be ready for hitting duties by the start of the season.
With the introduction of robot umpires in exhibition games, Major League Baseball is exploring the possibility of implementing the ABS system in regular-season games as early as 2026. The system aims to provide more accurate and consistent strike zone calls, potentially impacting the dynamics of the game in the future.
As the ABS system continues to be tested and refined, players and fans alike are witnessing a new era in baseball officiating that could shape the sport's future in significant ways.
