Get ready—robot umps are stepping up to the plate. They're not taking over completely , but Major League Baseball is rolling out the ABS (automated ball-strike) system to the big leagues this spring. The Minnesota Twins will get to experience it when action starts this weekend.
If you have watched any St. Paul Saints action over the last year, then you have seen both the replay and expanded version of the ABS system in play. Now we'll see how it effects the highest level of baseball.
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Baseball's long been ruled by umpires, but that's come with flaws—Twins fans have felt the sting more than most. A glance at Ump Scorecards postgame often stirs frustration. Now, technology's here, and has been, to hold umpires accountable and finally get it right.
The ABS system isn't the same as robot umpires. It keeps the human element in play and adds a twist by challenging it. Instead of switching to full automation, ABS gives batters, catchers, and pitchers the power to question a call, all within the flow of the game.
• During the spring, each team will be given two challenges per game and will retain successful challenges.
• Only the batter, catcher or pitcher can initiate a challenge, which must happen immediately after the umpire's call. The player must quickly tap his hat or helmet to indicate a challenge.
• The results of the challenge will be displayed on the scoreboard and television broadcast to communicate whether a call was overturned or not.
Hawk-Eye technology has been present in Major League Baseball stadiums since 2019. It works alongside Statcast to provide tracking data all over different aspects of the game.
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With the ABS challenge system, the umpire is not simply regurgitating a call made through the Hawk-Eye technology. Only when a player instigates a challenge is the technology put into use. The result is a quick and efficient representation on the scoreboard. The game then continues on.
Major League Baseball isn't interested in removing the human element of umpires, and they shouldn't be. A level of accountability not currently present is necessary, however.
By allowing players to challenge the human eye of umpires, there is a greater opportunity for everyone to feel satisfied with the result.
Baseball gets better this spring. pic.twitter.com/7t28PSGifn
— Ted (@tlschwerz) February 19, 2025
This is a non-invasive way to impact the game. Major League Baseball has suggested that just 17 seconds of game time are added through the ABS challenge system. The construction of this method allows for catcher framing effectiveness to remain in place, but gives everyone an opportunity to question the result.
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Umpires, all union members , hold onto their jobs but face a new layer of scrutiny. The league can now tweak things for those faltering under the system. Teams will feel it too, as coaching staffs adjust their trust in player initiated challenges based on the results.
Right now the ABS system is just in a trial period at the big league level. This is being instituted for the first time this spring, and the Minnesota Twins will see it throughout Grapefruit League play .
During the regular season, ABS will not be present at the highest level. However, Triple-A play will continue to use the ABS challenge system and compile as much data for Major League Baseball as possible. Full ABS went away at Triple-A in 2024 as it was deemed unnecessary.
The challenge system will be in play from the jump at Triple-A, and Major League Baseball will then decide on its usage at the highest level prior to the 2026 season.
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Spring Training presents a good testing ground for Major League Baseball, and will give many fans a look at something they have previously never seen. It could become the norm next year.
