What is baseball’s Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS)?

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Images

An umpire stands in front of the scoreboard at Camelback Ranch, which displays an ABS Challenge System review showing a pitch called a ball during a Dodgers and White Sox game.

Jesus Sanchez of the Miami Marlins signals for an ABS review during a 2025 spring training game, holding a bat and wearing a blue jersey with a blurred crowd in the background.

What is baseball’s Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS)?: Media

It won’t replace umpires (yet), but it will change the game. For better or for worse is still TBD.

Images

An umpire stands in front of the scoreboard at Camelback Ranch, which displays an ABS Challenge System review showing a pitch called a ball during a Dodgers and White Sox game.

The future of baseball?

An umpire looking on during an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System review...

© David Durochiki—Diamond Images/Getty Images

Jesus Sanchez of the Miami Marlins signals for an ABS review during a 2025 spring training game, holding a bat and wearing a blue jersey with a blurred crowd in the background.

Using a challenge

Jesús Sánchez of the Miami Marlins tapping his helmet to start an Automated Ball-Strike...

© Megan Briggs—MLB Photos/Getty Images