MLB will use robot umpires beginning next season

Major League Baseball (MLB) will implement the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) at home plate starting in the 2026 season. The ABS, which has been tested in minor league games, spring training, and the 2025 All-Star Game, is seen as a more accurate and fair way to determine balls and strikes, as opposed to relying on human umpires. The system uses 12 Hawk-Eye cameras and a T-Mobile private 5G network to track pitches and determine if they are within the strike zone. However, ABS will not completely replace human umpires; it will only be used when a player challenges an umpire's call. Each team will have two challenges per game, and only the pitcher, catcher, and batter can request an ABS review. According to the statistics from the spring training tests, teams challenged just over four pitches per game, with a success rate near 50%. The defense was more successful in their challenges, with a 54% overturn rate compared to 50% for the offense. Catchers had the highest success rate at 56%. The implementation of ABS is an attempt to improve the accuracy and consistency of ball and strike calls, which have been a source of frustration for players and fans. However, the decision to use it only for challenges, rather than for every pitch, reflects a balance between relying on human umpires and fully automating the process.