We’re had a week with the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System. I think we’ve been waiting for this for at least five years. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that you like it. The only question here is how happy are you to have ABS?
I’ve gotta say that I’m really really happy with it. It’s been around in the minor leagues since 2022. So we knew what we were getting. But to see it in action in (kinda sorta actual) MLB games is really fun.
I’m really gonna like this. Everyone involved
is going to profit from this. The umpires will get real-time feedback on their calls. The hitters will get real-time feedback on their judgement. Actually, minor leaguer hitters have been improving from this anyway. Catchers figure out what hey can and can’t get away with. Does it help pitchers? Can they develop millimeter-fine pinpoint control with ABS? I don’t know, but there’s only one way to find out.
Oh yeah, and the whole thing takes less than 10 seconds to check and get all of the calls correct. So there’s that too.
