Technology Is Coming for Baseball’s Strike Zone. Just Don’t Call It a Robo-Ump
Inside Major League Baseball’s years-long journey to the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system — and how it could change the game forever
Rays Catcher Boldly Challenges Umpire's Call Way Out of Strike Zone
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt tried to pull a fast one on MLB's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system on Friday afternoon. In the bottom of the third inning of a matchup against the New York Yankees,
Strike zone challenges debut in over half of '25 spring training games
A tap of the cap or helmet has new meaning in 2025 spring training games. In more than 55 percent of spring training games over the next six weeks, Major League Baseball is employing the Automated Ball-Strike System,
The robo ump could cause a unexpected casualty: the TV strike zone box
MLB is weighing options to dramatically reduce or remove the ubiquitous broadcast strike-zone box as part of bringing the robo ump online.
What is ABS? How MLB's ball-strike challenge system will work in spring training
ABS is MLB’s name for an automated strike zone — also known as robot umps. In a full ABS game, there will be a human umpire behind the plate, signaling the calls communicated through ABS. We won’t be seeing that full system in action this spring. Instead, teams will have a limited amount of challenges.
Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt gives ABS challenge system an interesting try
The Rays got their first look during Friday’s exhibition opener at the automated ball-strike challenge system Major League Baseball is experimenting with throughout the spring. Catcher Ben Rortvedt figured he might as well give it a try,
Why ball-strike challenges decided by MLB robo umps are the start of something good
You’re going to love the robo ump. It’s here. It debuted Thursday in the first MLB spring training game. Nobody cried, nobody died. It’s fast, it’s easy, it works. Baseball has thrown some extra French pastry into the mechanism to needlessly slow the process,
MLB spring training 2025 features robot umpires, automated ball-strike testing, challenges
What to know about robot umpires, automated ball-strike testing, challenges at 2025 MLB spring training Cactus League, Grapefruit League games.
Giants catcher Patrick Bailey — a pitch framing savant — ‘not a fan’ of automated strike zone
Bailey, a Gold Glover, isn't a fan of the ABS system. "I think it's going to change the game a lot more than people realize." ...
How Miles Mikolas is starting to get outside of his comfort (strike) zone: Cardinals Extra
In his first start of spring, the veteran showed a change in "mindset" with the advantage in a two-strike count, breaking old ...
Diamondbacks' Corbin Burnes benefits from automated strike zone; system goes 5-for-5
The pitch was called a ball, but it was close, right on the edge of the strike zone. For an instant, Diamondbacks pitcher ...
MLB to Use ABS Challenge System in Spring Training; Strike Zone Explained in Photos
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