Baseball

OAITW r.2.0

(31,921 posts) Fri Feb 27, 2026, 09:21 PM 3 hrs ago

Baseball ABS is a game changer.

MLB has started using radar/AI to determine the actual pitch location within the strikezone. The human factor is being tuned out. Umps call the game, but balls and strikes can now be contested. Probably only effects a dozen calls a game, but it will overcome the limitations of human subjectivity.

I thought, at some point, umpires would use Google Glasses or some similar tech to determine tough call pitches....but the results are interesting in Spring training. Umps are getting over-ruled on a lot of challenges.

14 replies

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Baseball ABS is a game changer. (Original Post) OAITW r.2.0 3 hrs ago OP

What?!? Sun-Moon 3 hrs ago #1

An Umpire Had Five Straight Calls Get Overturned With ABS Brother Buzz 3 hrs ago #2

This is the vid that I watched that made me realize how big a game changer this tech is. OAITW r.2.0 3 hrs ago #5

There is another Video with the analysis giving the ump a pass on one pitch Brother Buzz 3 hrs ago #6

I imagine ABS will compensate. If the batter changes his stance at the pitch , the zone will change at the same time. OAITW r.2.0 2 hrs ago #13

It's spring training for umps, too... Wounded Bear 3 hrs ago #3

You definitely need limitations on challenges. Most shouldn't be contested. OAITW r.2.0 3 hrs ago #4

Managers have no direct say in the pitch challenge action. WestMichRad 3 hrs ago #7

How is the review done? OAITW r.2.0 2 hrs ago #9

I'm a high school umpire and would love to have ABS and reviewed calls. chicoescuela 2 hrs ago #8

It has to be controlled use. Otherwise, the game breaks down. OAITW r.2.0 2 hrs ago #10

Of course, you're right the number of challenges has to be controlled. chicoescuela 2 hrs ago #11

It's a beautiful thing to be involved at your level. OAITW r.2.0 2 hrs ago #12

Absolutely right. I love the game and being involved with the kids that love it too. chicoescuela 2 hrs ago #14

Sun-Moon

(246 posts)

1. What?!?

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 09:28 PM

3 hrs ago

I haven’t heard about this.
What a shame. It’s part of the game to have to deal with the umps calls- whether you agree to his huge or small strike zone..
you learn to adjust.

Brother Buzz

(39,810 posts)

2. An Umpire Had Five Straight Calls Get Overturned With ABS

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 09:28 PM

3 hrs ago

OAITW r.2.0

(31,921 posts)

5. This is the vid that I watched that made me realize how big a game changer this tech is.

Reply to Brother Buzz (Reply #2)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 09:37 PM

3 hrs ago

Thanks for posting.

Brother Buzz

(39,810 posts)

6. There is another Video with the analysis giving the ump a pass on one pitch

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Reply #5)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 09:44 PM

3 hrs ago

Showing how the batter crouched low, lowering the entire strike zone; crouching, it was a strike, standing upright, a ball

OAITW r.2.0

(31,921 posts)

13. I imagine ABS will compensate. If the batter changes his stance at the pitch , the zone will change at the same time.

Reply to Brother Buzz (Reply #6)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 10:37 PM

2 hrs ago

Wounded Bear

(64,099 posts)

3. It's spring training for umps, too...

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 09:29 PM

3 hrs ago

They're getting back into the game as well.

Last season they used the ABS in spring training games. By the time the season had started it had kind of evened itself out to where only a few calls are overturned. Teams only get 2 fails on challenges per game, with extras added for extra innings.

I like it. It's fast and decisive. Doesn't slow the game much and doesn't cause the delays that other challenges cause.

OAITW r.2.0

(31,921 posts)

4. You definitely need limitations on challenges. Most shouldn't be contested.

Reply to Wounded Bear (Reply #3)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 09:36 PM

3 hrs ago

And the managers are going to hold them until they count. No guarantee that the umpire will be over-ruled...but at least there is a consistent point of reference that will make sure bad calls lessen the impact of bad calls throwing games.

WestMichRad

(3,137 posts)

7. Managers have no direct say in the pitch challenge action.

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Reply #4)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 09:47 PM

3 hrs ago

Challenges must be made immediately, by either the pitcher, catcher or batter. No hesitation (taking time to look at the dugout, for example) is permitted.
At least, that’s my understanding of the new rule.

OAITW r.2.0

(31,921 posts)

9. How is the review done?

Reply to WestMichRad (Reply #7)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 10:22 PM

2 hrs ago

Will it be by monitor or some other means? Not sure...but it is a huge step forward to getting balls and strikes called right.

chicoescuela

(2,932 posts)

8. I'm a high school umpire and would love to have ABS and reviewed calls.

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 10:14 PM

2 hrs ago

Of course that won’t happen during my career but I think it would make me a better official. I’ve wondered about utilizing the Meta glasses would help me evaluate my performance after the game.
Love the concept.

OAITW r.2.0

(31,921 posts)

10. It has to be controlled use. Otherwise, the game breaks down.

Reply to chicoescuela (Reply #8)

Fri Feb 27, 2026, 10:24 PM

2 hrs ago

Teams can't challenge every ball and strike. But a few strategic challenges when the call counts makes a lot of sense.

Keep calling 'em chicoescuela!