Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday that it is adopting the Automated Ball-Strike System for the 2026 season, meaning that pitchers, catchers and hitters will have the ability to challenge a ball or strike call by a home plate umpire.

Teams can challenge two calls per game, with additional appeals in extra innings. A team will retain a challenge if successful.

There was by no means unanimity among players about the idea of adopting it. Yankees outfielder Austin Slater was one of four players on the 11-person competition committee that voted to have ABS installed and said that their votes – three in favor and one against – reflected the votes that were held in all 30 Major League clubhouses.

“The players, in terms of clubhouses, were 22 in favor, seven against and one was spli

See Full Page