ABS (automated ball strike) coming to MLB in 2026

[chitownsportsfan]

Good article from ESPN. Hell no I wouldn't want Sox pitchers challenging. I agree with the managers pitchers think everything is a strike. 

Hinch had a good quote: 

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch: "I've spent some time talking to our player development group and even some of the players who have gone up and down [to the minors]. I think, similar to the replay, there are subtle little adjustments that everybody's had to make around some new rules. It will fall into a good rhythm and a good understanding of it. I think the first month will probably be the hardest month. Maybe spring will help a little bit. But in the spring, you can try and fail and it's not that penal.

"You do that in San Diego or Arizona or a home opener against St. Louis and it's a little more costly. We'll have a running tab on who's good at it and who is not. Because there might be some position players who get their optionality taken away from the challenge call."

Edited December 19 by chitownsportsfan

[WestEddy]

On 12/19/2025 at 4:44 PM, chitownsportsfan said:

Good article from ESPN. Hell no I wouldn't want Sox pitchers challenging. I agree with the managers pitchers think everything is a strike. 

Hinch had a good quote: 

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch: "I've spent some time talking to our player development group and even some of the players who have gone up and down [to the minors]. I think, similar to the replay, there are subtle little adjustments that everybody's had to make around some new rules. It will fall into a good rhythm and a good understanding of it. I think the first month will probably be the hardest month. Maybe spring will help a little bit. But in the spring, you can try and fail and it's not that penal.

"You do that in San Diego or Arizona or a home opener against St. Louis and it's a little more costly. We'll have a running tab on who's good at it and who is not. Because there might be some position players who get their optionality taken away from the challenge call."

I actually don't mind the ball 1" off the plate getting called for a pitcher who's been painting it for 6 innings. This will fix the ball right down the middle being called a ball. Now make an actual rule on what constitutes a swing.