If they're not doing this once they're down to one challenge then they're not a very good manager. It's not rocket science here, you shouldn't have to tell your guys more than a couple times that after the 6th inning they are not to challenge unless there are runners on, less than 2 outs, and either a K or a BB on the line... unless no outs/runners and potential BB.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑30 Mar 2026 08:25 amNice write. Do you think managers hold or keep a challenge for a major risp situation- called strike/ball. That would greatly affect inning and game.3dender wrote: ↑30 Mar 2026 08:23 am Yes you don't lose the challenge if you're correct.
For me the most interesting part is seeing how players are gonna passively show up the umps, e.g. how Arozarena took his base the other day before the video even got up on screen.
I also think something to watch is how umps might crack down on the 2-second window in which someone can challenge... we've already seen some questionable rulings around that for both batter and catcher. Like the catcher might be waiting to hear a call, and then challenge when they don't hear it, but a petty ump could say they missed the window. This will be the only way umps have any control over it going forward, so you can bet there will be some less-than-professional application of this rule.
Also strategically it doesn't make much sense to challenge every pitch, you typically only want to do it with 2 strikes or 3 balls, and you want to wait until the 2nd half of the game.
A Youtuber did a pretty good video about the statistics of when to do it, and how the Brewers were trying to assist from the dugout:
ABS
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3dender
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Re: ABS
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scoutyjones2
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scoutyjones2
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Re: ABS
How are bases monitored? And for what?kscardsfan wrote: ↑30 Mar 2026 09:11 am Why have a challenge system? With todays technology let abs be monitored and signal the umpire. He could imnmediately change the call. Also why limit it to the plate. Bases could be monitored too.
Yes, every call can be immediately sent to a HUMPS earpiece
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3dender
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Re: ABS
We'll get there eventually but probably not for a couple decades at least.kscardsfan wrote: ↑30 Mar 2026 09:11 am Why have a challenge system? With todays technology let abs be monitored and signal the umpire. He could imnmediately change the call. Also why limit it to the plate. Bases could be monitored too.
Human umpires will still be needed for infield fly rule and to rule in the moment for catches/traps/tag-ups, fair/foul, the in-motion plays that are continuing based on the immediate ruling on the field. But for the vast majority of plays (force-outs, sliding tags, etc.) they're not needed anymore. And there's probably a signaling system even for fair/foul, which is another big chunk of why they're currently needed.
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Carp4Cy
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Re: ABS
Why does it say gets immediately banned - the video says nothing about that?3dender wrote: ↑30 Mar 2026 08:23 am Yes you don't lose the challenge if you're correct.
For me the most interesting part is seeing how players are gonna passively show up the umps, e.g. how Arozarena took his base the other day before the video even got up on screen.
I also think something to watch is how umps might crack down on the 2-second window in which someone can challenge... we've already seen some questionable rulings around that for both batter and catcher. Like the catcher might be waiting to hear a call, and then challenge when they don't hear it, but a petty ump could say they missed the window. This will be the only way umps have any control over it going forward, so you can bet there will be some less-than-professional application of this rule.
Also strategically it doesn't make much sense to challenge every pitch, you typically only want to do it with 2 strikes or 3 balls, and you want to wait until the 2nd half of the game.
A Youtuber did a pretty good video about the statistics of when to do it, and how the Brewers were trying to assist from the dugout:
Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.
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Hoosier59
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Re: ABS
In the Cardinals game yesterday, Jordan Walker was called out on strikes with a runner at 3B and two outs. Walker didn’t challenge the call. Made no sense unless he has been told he isn’t allowed to challenge the call. As matter of fact, very if any Cardinal hitters have challenged calls. Only Pages, while catching has made a challenge. Smells of Oli all over it.
On another note, the Rays catcher wanted to challenge a call, but the umpire said he waited too long! That’s was bull (bleep). The umpire was slow to make the call. The catcher was in his windup to throw the ball back to the pitcher, when he heard the ump call the pitch a ball, he instead tapped his head. No way he could have challenged it any sooner. Just a way for the umpire to get around the system.
On another note, the Rays catcher wanted to challenge a call, but the umpire said he waited too long! That’s was bull (bleep). The umpire was slow to make the call. The catcher was in his windup to throw the ball back to the pitcher, when he heard the ump call the pitch a ball, he instead tapped his head. No way he could have challenged it any sooner. Just a way for the umpire to get around the system.
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3dender
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Re: ABS
It's kinda buried at the end, but he does mention in the last minute or so that the league told the Brewers they can't do it because it is considered coaching/assistance from the dugout.Carp4Cy wrote: ↑30 Mar 2026 10:27 amWhy does it say gets immediately banned - the video says nothing about that?3dender wrote: ↑30 Mar 2026 08:23 am Yes you don't lose the challenge if you're correct.
For me the most interesting part is seeing how players are gonna passively show up the umps, e.g. how Arozarena took his base the other day before the video even got up on screen.
I also think something to watch is how umps might crack down on the 2-second window in which someone can challenge... we've already seen some questionable rulings around that for both batter and catcher. Like the catcher might be waiting to hear a call, and then challenge when they don't hear it, but a petty ump could say they missed the window. This will be the only way umps have any control over it going forward, so you can bet there will be some less-than-professional application of this rule.
Also strategically it doesn't make much sense to challenge every pitch, you typically only want to do it with 2 strikes or 3 balls, and you want to wait until the 2nd half of the game.
A Youtuber did a pretty good video about the statistics of when to do it, and how the Brewers were trying to assist from the dugout:
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3dender
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Re: ABS
Cardinals are one of four teams whose batters have yet to challenge a called strike (Dodgers, Rockies, Royals).Hoosier59 wrote: ↑30 Mar 2026 10:30 am In the Cardinals game yesterday, Jordan Walker was called out on strikes with a runner at 3B and two outs. Walker didn’t challenge the call. Made no sense unless he has been told he isn’t allowed to challenge the call. As matter of fact, very if any Cardinal hitters have challenged calls. Only Pages, while catching has made a challenge. Smells of Oli all over it.
On another note, the Rays catcher wanted to challenge a call, but the umpire said he waited too long! That’s was bull (bleep). The umpire was slow to make the call. The catcher was in his windup to throw the ball back to the pitcher, when he heard the ump call the pitch a ball, he instead tapped his head. No way he could have challenged it any sooner. Just a way for the umpire to get around the system.
I'm not reading anything into a sample size of 3 games.
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cards53
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Re: ABS
I like the ABs.
The biggest plus I have seen is umpires not calling any pitches 3"+ off the plate and getting away with it.
Most of the challenges are less than 2" misses and probably more than half around one " or less.
I watch the games on MLB.TV with a small delay, so they are able to show the box on all pitches.
I don't see why they can't show the box on every pitch in the park, just with a small delay to avoid cheating.
I would like to increase the number of challenges a little to maybe 4.
The biggest plus I have seen is umpires not calling any pitches 3"+ off the plate and getting away with it.
Most of the challenges are less than 2" misses and probably more than half around one " or less.
I watch the games on MLB.TV with a small delay, so they are able to show the box on all pitches.
I don't see why they can't show the box on every pitch in the park, just with a small delay to avoid cheating.
I would like to increase the number of challenges a little to maybe 4.