Major League Baseball has taken another swing at modernizing the game. Beginning in 2026, the league will introduce the Automated Ball/Strike System, but with a twist: human umpires will still make the initial calls, and pitchers, catchers, or batters will be allowed to challenge up to two per game.
This hybrid model might be the best compromise yet. Purists who fear losing the human element can rest easy—umpires will still be part of the rhythm of every pitch. But for players and fans frustrated by inconsistency, the challenge system provides a safety net to ensure the strike zone is accurate when it matters most.
The move could also calm some of the fiery emotions we see in dugouts. Most ejections stem from disputes over balls and strikes. With ABS available for review, there’s less room for debate, and fewer chances for tempers to boil over.
Change is never easy in baseball, a sport that clings to tradition more tightly than most. But just as instant replay reshaped close plays on the bases, robot umps will bring greater fairness and consistency to the strike zone. And that’s good for everyone—the pitchers, the hitters, the managers, and most importantly, the fans.
MLB hasn’t made a rule change this significant since the pitch clock in 2024, but this one could prove just as transformative.
By blending technology with tradition, baseball may finally have found a strike zone that works.
