Major League Baseball is set to introduce a significant change for the 2026 season: teams will have the ability to challenge certain pitch calls made by human umpires using a robot umpire system. This decision was announced on Tuesday and aims to enhance the accuracy of pitch calls during games.
Under the new rule, each team will receive two opportunities per game to contest a pitch they believe was incorrectly called. The Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) will assess the pitch using advanced camera technology to determine if the call was right or wrong. This system has already been tested in the Minor Leagues and during MLB spring training and the All-Star Game.
To initiate a challenge, the pitcher, catcher, or batter must act immediately after the pitch. The pitcher will signal the challenge by tapping their hat or helmet. Importantly, players from the dugout or other positions on the field cannot assist in this process.
If a game extends into extra innings, teams will receive one additional challenge per inning if they have already used their two challenges during regulation play.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized that player feedback was crucial in developing this system. Players preferred the challenge format rather than having technology call every pitch, which shaped the decision to implement this new rule.
The ABS system will be powered by T-Mobile’s 5G network, utilizing multiple cameras positioned around the field to track pitch locations. The results of each challenge will be displayed on the scoreboard, providing immediate feedback to players and fans.
Mike Katz, T-Mobile’s president of marketing, expressed excitement about this partnership with MLB, highlighting how technology can innovate the game while maintaining its traditional elements.
