Robots are coming: MLB players allowed to challenge balls and strikes in 2026 (www.theguardian.com)

Major League Baseball’s competition committee approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike (ABS) system in the majors starting in 2026, moving to an 11-man umpiring crew where human plate umpires still call pitches but teams get two challenges per game (plus extra appeals in extras). Challenges must be signaled by pitcher, catcher or batter (tap of helmet/cap), are retained if successful, and reviews will be displayed as videoboard graphics. ABS uses Hawk-Eye cameras and has been trialed in the minors since 2019 (Triple-A moved to an all-challenge model in June 2024 and spring training used it this year). Technically, ABS currently judges strikes when a pitch crosses the midpoint of the plate (8.5 inches from front/back), with the top of zone set at 53.5% of batter height and bottom at 27%; players will be measured in preseason to ensure correct zone calculation. Umpires historically call about 94% of pitches correctly, but MLB says >60% of ejections relate to balls/strikes, so ABS aims to reduce conflict. Early data: teams won 52.2% of spring-training challenges; Triple-A saw challenges per game rise to 4.2 and success rates fall to ~49.5% (defense 53.7%, offense 45%). The rule preserves pitch framing as a skill—fueling debate about catcher value and whether automating borderline calls will shift roster and strategy decisions.