Major League Baseball (MLB) is exploring the possibility of testing robot umpires during spring training next year, potentially paving the way for their implementation in the 2026 regular season.
Since 2019, MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system (ABS) in the minor leagues, but there are still adjustments being made to perfect the strike zone’s parameters.
During a meeting with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Tuesday, baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred discussed the timeline and progress of the ABS. “As I mentioned at the owners’ meeting, it’s unlikely we’d bring ABS to the majors without a spring training test. So, if we’re looking at 2024 for that, 2025 could be the year for a full spring training test, making 2026 a feasible target,” Manfred explained. “But is that definite? I can’t say for certain.”
Manfred highlighted the advancements made, noting, “The technology is now accurate to a hundredth of an inch and is nearly perfect in tracking the ball’s path.”
This year marked the second consecutive season that Triple-A ballparks used ABS. However, there is limited interest in using the strike zone as strictly defined in the rule book, leading to various adjustments during minor league trials. Currently, ABS determines strikes based on the ball crossing the midpoint of the plate, 8.5 inches from both the front and back. This year, the top of the strike zone was raised to 53.5% of the batter’s height from 51%, while the bottom stayed at 27%.
“We still face technical challenges in defining the strike zone,” Manfred admitted.
Initially, MLB tested ABS by having the robot call all pitches for the first three games of each series and using a human umpire with a challenge system for the last three during the first part of the Triple-A season. However, from June 25, the league shifted to an all-challenge system where human umpires make most calls, with teams allowed to challenge decisions.
Teams in the Pacific Coast League have three challenges per game, while those in the International League have two. Successful challenges allow teams to retain their challenge, mirroring the system used for video reviews in the major leagues.
Tony Clark, head of the players’ association, voiced a preference for the challenge system over the ABS alone. “The challenge system has more support than the straight ABS system,” Clark said in a separate session with the BBWAA. “However, there are still concerns, such as the consistency of the strike zone, and potential technical issues like Wi-Fi disruptions.”
Clark added, “These issues are already evident in minor league parks. We aim to avoid situations in major league parks where the integrity of the game is compromised due to technological failures.”
Any changes to playing rules are decided by an 11-member competition committee consisting of four players, an umpire, and six team representatives. For the 2023 season, this committee implemented a pitch clock and restrictions on defensive shifts, despite opposition from players.
