MLB Tests Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System at All-Star Game

Major League Baseball (MLB) is set to debut the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system during the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta, marking the first time this technology will be used in a high-profile major league setting. The ABS system, piloted in Triple-A and spring training games, allows pitchers, catchers, and batters to challenge an umpire’s ball or strike call by tapping their hat or helmet immediately after the pitch, with each team receiving two challenges per game that they retain if successful. The review is conducted using the Hawkeye system and displayed on the stadium scoreboard, with no input allowed from coaches or other players to ensure fair play and quick resolution, typically within about 14 seconds. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed optimism about the system, noting positive team feedback and increased fan demand for a more accurate strike zone following controversial calls in recent seasons. The introduction of ABS at the All-Star Game is seen as a test run before a possible full implementation during the 2026 regular season, pending approval from the competition committee comprised of league officials, players, and umpires. Surveys indicate strong fan approval, with over 70 percent responding positively to the system, and players favor a challenge system over a fully automated strike zone.