'Learning on the fly': Guardians, MLB to test ABS challenge system in spring training 2025

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'Learning on the fly': Guardians, MLB to test ABS challenge system in spring training 2025

Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal

Tue, Feb 18, 2025 ·

3 min read

What is ABS? MLB challenge system explained

ABS has been used in some cases in the minor leagues, and MLB wants to take the testing a step further this spring. If the reviews are positive, it's possible the system could be implemented in Major League games for the 2026 season.

Not all spring training ballparks have been outfitted with the technology, though. For the most part, ballparks that are home to multiple major league teams will feature ABS. That includes Goodyear Ballpark, home to the Guardians and Cincinnati Reds .

Because it isn't yet everywhere, teams will have varying experiences with it. For example, the Guardians will play 27 games with ABS available before Opening Day. Other teams could play fewer than 10 games with it.

"It's going to be interesting," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "It's going to be a lot of learning on the fly, and we'll see how it goes."

The 121 Financial Ballpark scoreboard shows a pitch challenge under the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during a Triple-A game between the Gwinnett Stripers and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on March 29, 2024.

Why are Major League players tapping their heads?

In order to initiate a challenge, a hitter, catcher or pitcher must quickly tap their heads. The review is ordered by the home plate umpire, and the system almost instantaneously determines whether it was a strike or ball using automated technology.

This will bring quite a bit of strategy and trust into certain situations. Teams only have two challenges — if they get them wrong — in a game, so they need to be used wisely. But there also won't be time to confer with managers, as teams only have a second or two to initiate it.

"It's pretty instantaneous," Vogt said.

Historically, umpires tend to have slight biases with their personal strike zones. They also tend to vary those strike zones based on the count. The ABS aims to eliminate some of that variance, which some argue is simply part of the game.

Guardians to test ABS challenge system in spring training 2025

With the system at times being used in the minor leagues recently, younger teams will likely feature players who have already had some experience with it. That means the Guardians, who have had one of the youngest rosters in baseball the last several years.

"Our team's pretty unique," Vogt said with a smile. "We have a lot of people who have used it before."

The system being in place in 2026 during regular-season games still wouldn't mean catchers framing pitches becomes a thing of the past. With only a few challenges, the point of the ABS is simply to correct any egregious mistakes during the game's biggest moments.

"You still need to present every pitch because hitters are maybe not challenging an 0-0 pitch, right?" Vogt said. "You still want to steal the strike there. So, I mean, the challenge system still allows for framing to be a big deal."