Everything you need to know about ABS ... a must read !!

[ramfandan]

https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026

After reading this article, I highly recommend all Cardinal fans read this article. It covers specific instances ... for example, on a 2-2 pitch the catcher drops a ball that the umpire called ball 3 but the pitch was challenged and overturned to a strike. Because the ball was dropped , does the catcher need to throw down to first base to complete the out ?
What happens if runners on 1st and 2nd nobody out and double steal on a 3-2 pitch called ball 4 is reversed to strike 3. Since the catcher initially did not throw to any base (since the ball 4 call loaded them up ) , once it's reversed to strike 3 must the runners return to their previous base ?
What happens if a pitch is challenged but on the play there is a challenge play at a base (example a stolen 2nd base call ). Can there be both a challenge at home plat on the pitch AND the call at 2nd base ?

Can an umpire deny a challenged pitch ?
What is the procedure for extra innings if you have a remaining challenge or have burned both challenges ?

Enjoy the article !

[Dazepster]

Thanks for sharing.

Going to take a bit to get familiar with all the nuances.

[rockondlouie]

I read about it on ESPN.com early this morning

Dizzying at times, here are some highlights:

• Umpires will be given discretion on plays that happen on the bases, even when a pitch is being challenged. For example, the outcome of a stolen base attempt is likely to stand no matter the outcome of the challenge, with the lone exception coming on a ball-four or strike-three call that is overturned. If the umpire deems "player behavior" has been impacted -- for example, if the catcher stops playing because he hears ball four and the call is overturned -- he might send the runner back to his original base and the stolen base won't count.

• A pitch may not be challenged if a position player is pitching.

• The league is measuring the standing height of each player to determine their individual strike zone, which will be slightly smaller than the umpire called zone.

• It's possible for both an ABS challenge and video replay challenge to occur on the same play. If that happens, the ball-strike call will be adjudicated first, followed by the video replay on the bases

Here's another rule change that was adopted by owners:

Also Thursday, the league announced a tweak to its obstruction rule: A runner who initiates contact with a fielder with the intent to draw an obstruction call will be called out. This sometimes occurs in rundowns when a baserunner purposely runs into a fielder hoping to be declared safe due to obstruction. Umpires have now been told to ignore such attempts and instead call the runner out.

[45s]

What could possibly go wrong…

[blackinkbiz]

What could possibly go wrong…

A lot. But if it, moving forward, prevents an undeserving team from advancing in the playoffs, almost any amount of problems is worth it.

If I'm not mistaken, the Dodgers would not currently be the WSC if ABS had been implemented in last year's playoffs.

[82birds]

What could possibly go wrong…

[Stlcardsblues]

https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026

After reading this article, I highly recommend all Cardinal fans read this article. It covers specific instances ... for example, on a 2-2 pitch the catcher drops a ball that the umpire called ball 3 but the pitch was challenged and overturned to a strike. Because the ball was dropped , does the catcher need to throw down to first base to complete the out ?
What happens if runners on 1st and 2nd nobody out and double steal on a 3-2 pitch called ball 4 is reversed to strike 3. Since the catcher initially did not throw to any base (since the ball 4 call loaded them up ) , once it's reversed to strike 3 must the runners return to their previous base ?
What happens if a pitch is challenged but on the play there is a challenge play at a base (example a stolen 2nd base call ). Can there be both a challenge at home plat on the pitch AND the call at 2nd base ?

Can an umpire deny a challenged pitch ?
What is the procedure for extra innings if you have a remaining challenge or have burned both challenges ?

Enjoy the article !

I have watched the usage at the minor league level and am all for it being at the Major League level.

[82birds]

thnx for the link Dan

[ramfandan]

I read about it on ESPN.com early this morning

Dizzying at times, here are some highlights:

• Umpires will be given discretion on plays that happen on the bases, even when a pitch is being challenged. For example, the outcome of a stolen base attempt is likely to stand no matter the outcome of the challenge, with the lone exception coming on a ball-four or strike-three call that is overturned. If the umpire deems "player behavior" has been impacted -- for example, if the catcher stops playing because he hears ball four and the call is overturned -- he might send the runner back to his original base and the stolen base won't count.

• A pitch may not be challenged if a position player is pitching.

• The league is measuring the standing height of each player to determine their individual strike zone, which will be slightly smaller than the umpire called zone.

• It's possible for both an ABS challenge and video replay challenge to occur on the same play. If that happens, the ball-strike call will be adjudicated first, followed by the video replay on the bases

Here's another rule change that was adopted by owners:

Also Thursday, the league announced a tweak to its obstruction rule: A runner who initiates contact with a fielder with the intent to draw an obstruction call will be called out. This sometimes occurs in rundowns when a baserunner purposely runs into a fielder hoping to be declared safe due to obstruction. Umpires have now been told to ignore such attempts and instead call the runner out.

Regarding the measuring you mentioned (copy/pasted below from your post ).. all players are measured NOT wearing spikes .. so that will make them each a tad shorter.

The league is measuring the standing height of each player to determine their individual strike zone, which will be slightly smaller than the umpire called zone.

[CCard]

https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026

After reading this article, I highly recommend all Cardinal fans read this article. It covers specific instances ... for example, on a 2-2 pitch the catcher drops a ball that the umpire called ball 3 but the pitch was challenged and overturned to a strike. Because the ball was dropped , does the catcher need to throw down to first base to complete the out ?
What happens if runners on 1st and 2nd nobody out and double steal on a 3-2 pitch called ball 4 is reversed to strike 3. Since the catcher initially did not throw to any base (since the ball 4 call loaded them up ) , once it's reversed to strike 3 must the runners return to their previous base ?
What happens if a pitch is challenged but on the play there is a challenge play at a base (example a stolen 2nd base call ). Can there be both a challenge at home plat on the pitch AND the call at 2nd base ?

Can an umpire deny a challenged pitch ?
What is the procedure for extra innings if you have a remaining challenge or have burned both challenges ?

Enjoy the article !

That''s why they played with it in the minors, to work out the kinks. Most of it is common sense. You can't give a double steal on a ball 4 call that's reversed. At least in my opinion. When a call is reversed then it's like a dead ball.

[ScotchMIrish]

https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026

After reading this article, I highly recommend all Cardinal fans read this article. It covers specific instances ... for example, on a 2-2 pitch the catcher drops a ball that the umpire called ball 3 but the pitch was challenged and overturned to a strike. Because the ball was dropped , does the catcher need to throw down to first base to complete the out ?
What happens if runners on 1st and 2nd nobody out and double steal on a 3-2 pitch called ball 4 is reversed to strike 3. Since the catcher initially did not throw to any base (since the ball 4 call loaded them up ) , once it's reversed to strike 3 must the runners return to their previous base ?
What happens if a pitch is challenged but on the play there is a challenge play at a base (example a stolen 2nd base call ). Can there be both a challenge at home plat on the pitch AND the call at 2nd base ?

Can an umpire deny a challenged pitch ?
What is the procedure for extra innings if you have a remaining challenge or have burned both challenges ?

Enjoy the article !

The computer should call balls and strikes on all pitches. The technology exists to do that. The only reason not to is so the umpires can determine the outcome of games.

[ramfandan]

https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026

After reading this article, I highly recommend all Cardinal fans read this article. It covers specific instances ... for example, on a 2-2 pitch the catcher drops a ball that the umpire called ball 3 but the pitch was challenged and overturned to a strike. Because the ball was dropped , does the catcher need to throw down to first base to complete the out ?
What happens if runners on 1st and 2nd nobody out and double steal on a 3-2 pitch called ball 4 is reversed to strike 3. Since the catcher initially did not throw to any base (since the ball 4 call loaded them up ) , once it's reversed to strike 3 must the runners return to their previous base ?
What happens if a pitch is challenged but on the play there is a challenge play at a base (example a stolen 2nd base call ). Can there be both a challenge at home plat on the pitch AND the call at 2nd base ?

Can an umpire deny a challenged pitch ?
What is the procedure for extra innings if you have a remaining challenge or have burned both challenges ?

Enjoy the article !

The computer should call balls and strikes on all pitches. The technology exists to do that. The only reason not to is so the umpires can determine the outcome of games.

At least for now , the players (pitchers) are opposed to having a fully ABS called system . Over 60% oppose it .

MLB players are sharply divided on full Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) systems, with a 2025 poll showing 63.4% opposed, preferring to keep human, in-the-moment judgment. While many prefer the precision of technology to reduce missed calls, others argue it ruins the "art" of pitching, removes catcher framing value, and creates a smaller, unrealistic strike zone.

One concern also that wasy expressed in the minors is that if ABS calls every pitch , there would be more 'balls' called (as close pitches now called strikes by a human ump would result in a ball ) so effect would be many more 'walks' and less balls put in play by the batters.

For fans, one of the complaints currently with the high velo pitches , etc. is that they don't see many hits in a game and fewer balls put into the field of play. Guess if fans want to pay to see a lot of walks , a full ABS would be good . the old 'be careful what you wish for ' may apply .

[sikeston bulldog2]

https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026

After reading this article, I highly recommend all Cardinal fans read this article. It covers specific instances ... for example, on a 2-2 pitch the catcher drops a ball that the umpire called ball 3 but the pitch was challenged and overturned to a strike. Because the ball was dropped , does the catcher need to throw down to first base to complete the out ?
What happens if runners on 1st and 2nd nobody out and double steal on a 3-2 pitch called ball 4 is reversed to strike 3. Since the catcher initially did not throw to any base (since the ball 4 call loaded them up ) , once it's reversed to strike 3 must the runners return to their previous base ?
What happens if a pitch is challenged but on the play there is a challenge play at a base (example a stolen 2nd base call ). Can there be both a challenge at home plat on the pitch AND the call at 2nd base ?

Can an umpire deny a challenged pitch ?
What is the procedure for extra innings if you have a remaining challenge or have burned both challenges ?

Enjoy the article !

A teaser piece. Meaning just enough data to make one more curious. I agree with your idea of all reading. Will make us smarter when it happens.

[rockondlouie]

I read about it on ESPN.com early this morning

Dizzying at times, here are some highlights:

• Umpires will be given discretion on plays that happen on the bases, even when a pitch is being challenged. For example, the outcome of a stolen base attempt is likely to stand no matter the outcome of the challenge, with the lone exception coming on a ball-four or strike-three call that is overturned. If the umpire deems "player behavior" has been impacted -- for example, if the catcher stops playing because he hears ball four and the call is overturned -- he might send the runner back to his original base and the stolen base won't count.

• A pitch may not be challenged if a position player is pitching.

• The league is measuring the standing height of each player to determine their individual strike zone, which will be slightly smaller than the umpire called zone.

• It's possible for both an ABS challenge and video replay challenge to occur on the same play. If that happens, the ball-strike call will be adjudicated first, followed by the video replay on the bases

Here's another rule change that was adopted by owners:

Also Thursday, the league announced a tweak to its obstruction rule: A runner who initiates contact with a fielder with the intent to draw an obstruction call will be called out. This sometimes occurs in rundowns when a baserunner purposely runs into a fielder hoping to be declared safe due to obstruction. Umpires have now been told to ignore such attempts and instead call the runner out.

Regarding the measuring you mentioned (copy/pasted below from your post ).. all players are measured NOT wearing spikes .. so that will make them each a tad shorter.

The league is measuring the standing height of each player to determine their individual strike zone, which will be slightly smaller than the umpire called zone.

Thx for the clarification RFD!

[Kelledr]

Interesting article, but I am an old man. Back in the day and per the rule book the strike zone went from the knees to the letters. It is not even close now. It is basically knees to the waist. What happened ?

[ScotchMIrish]

https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-mlb-2026

After reading this article, I highly recommend all Cardinal fans read this article. It covers specific instances ... for example, on a 2-2 pitch the catcher drops a ball that the umpire called ball 3 but the pitch was challenged and overturned to a strike. Because the ball was dropped , does the catcher need to throw down to first base to complete the out ?
What happens if runners on 1st and 2nd nobody out and double steal on a 3-2 pitch called ball 4 is reversed to strike 3. Since the catcher initially did not throw to any base (since the ball 4 call loaded them up ) , once it's reversed to strike 3 must the runners return to their previous base ?
What happens if a pitch is challenged but on the play there is a challenge play at a base (example a stolen 2nd base call ). Can there be both a challenge at home plat on the pitch AND the call at 2nd base ?

Can an umpire deny a challenged pitch ?
What is the procedure for extra innings if you have a remaining challenge or have burned both challenges ?

Enjoy the article !

The computer should call balls and strikes on all pitches. The technology exists to do that. The only reason not to is so the umpires can determine the outcome of games.

At least for now , the players (pitchers) are opposed to having a fully ABS called system . Over 60% oppose it .

MLB players are sharply divided on full Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) systems, with a 2025 poll showing 63.4% opposed, preferring to keep human, in-the-moment judgment. While many prefer the precision of technology to reduce missed calls, others argue it ruins the "art" of pitching, removes catcher framing value, and creates a smaller, unrealistic strike zone.

One concern also that wasy expressed in the minors is that if ABS calls every pitch , there would be more 'balls' called (as close pitches now called strikes by a human ump would result in a ball ) so effect would be many more 'walks' and less balls put in play by the batters.

For fans, one of the complaints currently with the high velo pitches , etc. is that they don't see many hits in a game and fewer balls put into the field of play. Guess if fans want to pay to see a lot of walks , a full ABS would be good . the old 'be careful what you wish for ' may apply .

They could get rid of the DH and have plenty of offense if they went to 100% computerized strike zone. Also the highest paid players would not be given a better strike zone by the computer which is one reason it is opposed.