Robot Umpires Have Come to MLB—and They’re Making Players Look Completely Clueless
The new computerized system is being tested during spring training, leading to a series of challenges from players who don’t know the strike zone quite as well as they think.
MLB Unveils New Challenge System Involving Robot Umpires for Spring Training
This year's MLB spring training could prove more consequential than any in years past as MLB will experiment with ABS, the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, to ensure the home plate umpire gets as many ball and strike calls correct as possible. On Thursday, the league announced how exactly this new challenge system will unfold.
Robot umps are here: What MLB players need to know to navigate ABS this spring
Here is what every big leaguer needs to know about ABS, according to players and managers who have experience with it in the minor leagues.
Robot umpires getting first spring training test
A computerized system that calls balls and strikes is being tested during Major League Baseball spring training exhibition games starting Thursday after four years of experiments in
MLB spring training 2025 features robot umpires, automated ball-strike testing, challenges
What to know about robot umpires, automated ball-strike testing, challenges at 2025 MLB spring training Cactus League, Grapefruit League games.
What is ABS? MLB begins spring training test of automated ball-strike challenge system
Starting Thursday at Camelback Ranch, where the Dodgers and Cubs will open Cactus League play, the ABS challenge system will begin being implemented.
MLB will test robo-umpires in spring training games starting this week
Major League Baseball this week will begin testing an automated system that will keep count of balls and strikes. The tests will take place during spring training and could be rolled into regular season play in 2026.
What is ABS? Explaining MLB spring training challenge system
MLB will be testing an automatic balls and strikes challenge system this spring training. Here's how it works.
What is MLB’s ‘ABS Challenge System’? Inside baseball’s newest ‘robot umps’ technology
Challenge System” during a Cactus League matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. Employing ABS — referred to by some as “robot umps” — is an innovative step for baseball. MLB is testing the technology at 13 spring training ballparks across Arizona and Florida — including KC’s spring home at Surprise Stadium — in coming weeks.
MLB debuts robot ump challenge system at Dodgers-Cubs spring training opener
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs played the first spring training game of 2025 on Thursday and debuted some new technology in the process. Thursday's Cactus League opener, a 12-4 Cubs win, saw the first use of an automated ball-strike challenge system,
This could be baseball’s last season without ‘robot umpires’
Though this hybrid umpire system won’t make its way to regular season major league games in 2025, player and fan reactions ...
This sport’s robot revolution has begun
Sports, in many ways, are about humans’ imperfect pursuit of perfection. Every athlete would love to shoot 100% from the free ...
New York Sun1d
‘Hey, Six Eyes, Get Yourself a New Pair of Glasses’
Major League Baseball is experimenting with robot umpires. Can automated batters be far behind?
Heavy.com2d
Rise of the Robots: MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike System Flawless in Spring Debut
Major League Baseball is back. And the robots have arrived ... Instead, ABS as it is currently utilized is a challenge system. A batter, pitcher or catcher may contest an umpire’s ball-strike ...
The Washington Post3d
Robot umpires are getting their first MLB test during spring training
A computerized system that calls balls and strikes is being tested during Major League Baseball spring training ... calls for the 2014 season. Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge ...