Major League Baseball has implemented an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System in 2026, allowing players to challenge balls and strikes calls for the first time in the sport’s history.
The ABS Challenge System has been tested in the minor league since 2022, and is finally making its way to the MLB regular season. Major Leaguers had the opportunity to try it out during last year’s spring training, and again this season ahead of Opening Day.
Only three players — the pitcher, catcher and batter — are allowed to challenge a call, and it must come immediately after the pitch without any assistance from the dugout. Each team gets two challenges, but a successful challenge is retained. Thus, players need to be sure about their challenge to not risk hurting their team later in the game.
Players have had mixed reviews regarding the change this spring. San Diego Padres superstar Manny Machado is among those that don’t seem to be in favor of it.
“I don’t like it,