What to do with the ABS Challenge system: this is what we want in the MLB in the future?

One of the largest plot lines of Spring Training MLB has still been implementing a system of automatic problems with a ball (ABS) in the spring games of the Premier League.

Throughout Florida and Arizona, large ligers get the taste of the ABS Challenge system, which gives commands for two problems for the game for the ball or blows. Only the dough, a jug and a dex is allowed to dispute the calls, and they must do this immediately after receiving a step. The team retains its task for an indefinite period, if successful.

The call system that was checked in Triple-A last year will not be used in the regular season of the 2025 MLB. But depending on how this spring passes, it can be accepted in the higher league on 2026 or somewhere after that.

Last week, our first taste of the call system in spring training, and newcomers challenged twice in their first spring game against the docters. What are the conclusions from what we still saw? What are the pros and cons of this to baseball? Let’s discuss.

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What was your initial reaction to personally see the ABS systems system?

ShustermanI was present at the first call of ABS in the spring training of the Premier League and was the most impressed by the speed with which the system worked. The experience of observing the challenge discovered on displays in less than 20 seconds was a refreshing contrast with reproduction reviews, to which we are used to other close challenges that can drag out and destroy the flow of the game. At a time when the league is prioritized by the pace of the game, it is nice to see this potential new element that does not deviate from this goal.

Mints: The combination of confusion and interest from the crowd was the biggest thing that struck me: the symphony “HuHs”, “OOHS” and “OHS”. Obviously, some people in the first spring game of the Yankees-rays were not aware of the system. I was also impressed by how intuitively the display was on a large board.

Dorsie: Unlike most experimental things, for me it was not much meaning – which is positive. If it was like some kind of place, there would be much more thoughts on ABS. The fact that this seems quite simplified and simple is an advantage for all involved sides.

What are your biggest fears about ABS?

Shusterman: This is a lesser problem and a more possible adjustment that I would like to see. While I mainly support the call system in one form or another, I have already seen how some steps confirm that these are blows along which the tiny share of the ball touches the zone, and this is considered enough to control this blow.

This is potentially problematic in how it technically expands the zone and can give jugs an advantage at a time when we probably should facilitate a blow, and not more difficult. It seems to me that if the technology is good enough to determine the location of the tone height to such an accurate degree, most of the ball should be in the electronic zone so that it is called a strike.

Mints: I basically worry about what it can lead to. I think that full timber UMP would be a disaster. Given the negative reviews of the full testing of the UMP Robo, obtained in various secondary leagues, this seems unlikely right now, but, nevertheless, this applies to me. I am also less interested in the “truth” when it comes to sports than I am in “emotions”. The idea of ​​a tense play of the play -off ending through the ABS solution gives me trembling.

Dorsie: Gray area. We have a tendency to want to overwhelm things, both in society and in sports, and it looks like a area where baseball can go overboard. ROBO UMPS is a phrase that scares most people in sports because it does not look like baseball. The MLB show can be the same. In my opinion, the worst scenario lies in the fact that baseball will not cease to mess with such an extent that the human element of the game is completely lost.

What are the advantages with ABS?

ShustermanI understand that the purpose of this system is to provide a safe network for especially poor calls with a ball/blow in the hope of providing the most “fair” zone for attackers and jugs, but I am also forced to an entertainment element in the game. In Arizona it was clear that the fans enjoyed instant reviews of the scoreboard, and I think that players initiate reviews, not managers or coaches, adds unique dynamics compared to other forms of re -review not only in baseball, but also in other sports. I think it would be very interesting to find out what jugs, attackers and catchers know how to know the area of ​​the blow, and which are a little self -confident.

Mints: Players – those who are faced with problems. This is a rarity in large American sports, in which coaches usually adhere to this power. Tennis and cricket are really the only big sport that put responsibility for the players. In baseball, I am curious which players will be resolved and forced to give out problems. Who will be good at this? Who is sucking? When will the problems be used? I do not see a great entertaining value in a coach rushing to a call for earthlings in order to get an opinion of re -reproduction. But ABS should give us a more understanding of the players and how they work, what is good.

Dorsie: The biggest advantage is that the system is simple and effective. Problems are not taken from the natural flow of the game. From the point of view of fans, it will be interesting to see which players have a firm understanding of the strike zone and which are not. This is what we understand from watching games, but with this we will see the players’ feelings to the area of ​​the impact on the full display.

Do you play for the ABS Challenge system used in the MLB in the future?

Shusterman: Yes, but only if he stops there, and is not a gate for the full press. I believe that there is a version of the ABS Challenge system, which can serve as a valuable support system for judges, causing balls and blows, adding an intriguing element to the experience of watching the game.

Mints: In general, yes, but I think that the reviews from the large ligers of this spring training will be really indicative and will probably affect how I feel it. I am less fascinated by entertaining value here, and it seems like I like to watch the game in the cat and mice among the judge, jug, catcher and dough. I do not want to lose the influence of the frying of the catchers, so I hope that the call system will provide a decent middle.

Dorsie: Yes, because we would have much fewer egregious balls and blows throughout the season that reduce all wild ones. But I actually think that we will see the judges to improve their strikes over time. The fact that the system is not associated with a natural game stream is the biggest victory. If this seemed to be a problem in the NFL or even the new system in the MLB, this would be a distracting factor.