ABS Challenge System Adopted by MLB for 2026

[moonslav59]

Better than nothing but still not Robo Umps Now!

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

[jad]

Except I do not agree this is better than nothing. This just adds a layer of 'administration'; sort of like saying 'we need more doctors and nurses; let's hire an insurance company.'

[Bellhorn04]

Excellent news.

[Bellhorn04]

39 minutes ago, jad said:

Except I do not agree this is better than nothing. This just adds a layer of 'administration'; sort of like saying 'we need more doctors and nurses; let's hire an insurance company.'

I see no similarity between the umpiring profession and the medical profession.  We don't need more umpires. And the umpires we have are generally good.  But calling balls and strikes 100% accurately is impossible and this gives everyone a chance to fix a few calls every game.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

And check the check the checks.

[moonslav59]

They need to just go 100% robo umps and Balls & Strikes calls.

[jad]

2 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I see no similarity between the umpiring profession and the medical profession.  We don't need more umpires. And the umpires we have are generally good.  But calling balls and strikes 100% accurately is impossible and this gives everyone a chance to fix a few calls every game.

Why not 100%?  Just use ROBO umps all the time, since ROBO umps under the challenge system are unerringly correct by definition.   Adding challenge drama is unnecessary, time-consuming, and irritating as hell.

 

[Bellhorn04]

32 minutes ago, jad said:

Why not 100%?  Just use ROBO umps all the time, since ROBO umps under the challenge system are unerringly correct by definition.   Adding challenge drama is unnecessary, time-consuming, and irritating as hell.

 

They're trying to find something that fixes some important calls without totally offending the purists.

The test run indicated that it shouldn't be overly time-consuming.

Let's see how it works.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

They need to just go 100% robo umps and Balls & Strikes calls.

The AAA system is fine and moves the game along quickly. I'm fine with it. 

[moonslav59]

13 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The AAA system is fine and moves the game along quickly. I'm fine with it. 

It's okay, but 100% robo calls and Balls and Strikes is better.

[Bellhorn04]

22 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

It's okay, but 100% robo calls and Balls and Strikes is better.

Can't have everything we want.  This is huge progress IMHO.   

[moonslav59]

8 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Can't have everything we want.  This is huge progress IMHO.   

It is, and I'm happy they made this choice. I'm hopeful it's a step towards total Robo umps for pitch calls.

[Bellhorn04]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

It is, and I'm happy they made this choice. I'm hopeful it's a step towards total Robo umps for pitch calls.

It's a step, but don't hold your breath waiting for Full Robo.

[mvp 78]

 

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

It's a step, but don't hold your breath waiting for Full Robo.

I'd die, if I did.

As John Mellencamp would sing..."and dyin' to me don't sound like all that much fun"

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

6 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

It's a step, but don't hold your breath waiting for Full Robo.

The chUMPires' Union will never agree to Full Robo.

[moonslav59]

7 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

The chUMPires' Union will never agree to Full Robo.

Why would they need to agree?

[Duran Is The Man]

5 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

 

no surprise the Skankees are up at the top in beneficial calls.

[oldtimer]

11 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

They need to just go 100% robo umps and Balls & Strikes calls.

Finally. While there a good umpires, there are those who make bad calls which change games. With  the technology adjusted calls, the players with good sense of the strike zone will be rewarded. 

[moonslav59]

32 minutes ago, oldtimer said:

Finally. While there a good umpires, there are those who make bad calls which change games. With  the technology adjusted calls, the players with good sense of the strike zone will be rewarded. 

Doesn't this expose a big weakness in the whole idea of a challenge needed?

A player can be a great hitter but not be good at knowing when to challenge and when not to.

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Doesn't this expose a big weakness in the whole idea of a challenge needed?

A player can be a great hitter but not be good at knowing when to challenge and when not to.

The challenge is intended to add a tiny human dimension to what is entirely a technological solution to calling balls and strikes.  I just read a description of how the system establishes a strike zone for every player and was impressed.  

There is no actual need for a challenge, but the test fans liked it.  

[Maxbialystock]

4 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Why would they need to agree?

They are already out of the picture because only hitters, catchers, and pitchers can challenge.  Roboump calls all balls and strikes.  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

1 minute ago, Maxbialystock said:

They are already out of the picture because only hitters, catchers, and pitchers can challenge.  Roboump calls all balls and strikes.  

Wrong. Human umps will still call balls and strikes. Robo umps will only be used for challenges.

I was referring to when MLB goes completely Robo Ump. Don't think that the Umpires' Union won't raise a fuss. Probably threatening going on strike.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I'm guessing that next season when strike and ball challenges are instituted, the strike zone frame we all see on TV will be removed.

[moonslav59]

8 hours ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Wrong. Human umps will still call balls and strikes. Robo umps will only be used for challenges.

I was referring to when MLB goes completely Robo Ump. Don't think that the Umpires' Union won't raise a fuss. Probably threatening going on strike.

Let 'em. There will never be a strike so unsupported by the public in the history of strikes.

Besides, the home plate ump still keeps his job and can pretend he's making the pitch calls by himself. He will never be wrong and can never be rightly criticized for a ball-strike call ever again. They should rejoice!

 

[mvp 78]

33 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Let 'em. There will never be a strike so unsupported by the public in the history of strikes.

Besides, the home plate ump still keeps his job and can pretend he's making the pitch calls by himself. He will never be wrong and can never be rightly criticized for a ball-strike call ever again. They should rejoice!

 

You don't remember the NFL referee strike I guess. 

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

You don't remember the NFL referee strike I guess. 

Why do you think that?

1. It was a lock out, mostly on finances.

2. Was it about robo umps in the NFL?

3. Did fan rush to support the refs?

[mvp 78]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Why do you think that?

1. It was a lock out, mostly on finances.

2. Was it about robo umps in the NFL?

3. Did fan rush to support the refs?

I figured you would have remembered the Golden Tate game and even the criticism of the refs leading up to that game. They had to pull a ref from a game for being a Saints fan. There were a few errors in weeks 1 and 2, but an absolute litany of awfulness from the refs in week 3. That week Goodell had to acknowledge the backlash and he lifted the lockout so that union refs could work that Thursday telling fans that they deserve better than games being officiated by replacements. 

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

I figured you would have remembered the Golden Tate game and even the criticism of the refs leading up to that game. They had to pull a ref from a game for being a Saints fan. There were a few errors in weeks 1 and 2, but an absolute litany of awfulness from the refs in week 3. That week Goodell had to acknowledge the backlash and he lifted the lockout so that union refs could work that Thursday telling fans that they deserve better than games being officiated by replacements. 

But were the fans screaming pay the refs or return to work and accept what the mans gives you?

Im not sure if the sentiment was on league side or ref side, but it should prob be with the refs.  NFL is awful.

[moonslav59]

34 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I figured you would have remembered the Golden Tate game and even the criticism of the refs leading up to that game. They had to pull a ref from a game for being a Saints fan. There were a few errors in weeks 1 and 2, but an absolute litany of awfulness from the refs in week 3. That week Goodell had to acknowledge the backlash and he lifted the lockout so that union refs could work that Thursday telling fans that they deserve better than games being officiated by replacements. 

I don't see anything I said as being related to that situation.