Major League Baseball is dragging the Midsummer Classic into the future.
Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta will feature a challenge system that will allow players to appeal ball and strike calls using an automated system. MLB said Wednesday it intends to make the All-Star announcement Thursday.
League officials have tested the Automated Ball-Strike System in the minor leagues. It made its big-league debut at this year’s spring training. ABS was installed at 13 spring training ballparks hosting 19 teams, and an animation of the pitch was shown on video boards displaying the challenge result for spectators to see. Circulating rumors have claimed that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred plans to implement the system across the majors next season.
The challenge system does not completely replace home-plate umpires. An official behind the plate will still call balls and strikes, but hitters, pitchers can immediately challenge calls they don’t agree with.
The final decision is then made by the automated system, commonly referred to as the “robo-ump.”
Players challenged 2.6% of pitches during the spring training period. Approximately 52% of challenges were successful, MLB reported.
League officials considered the experiment a success, with the average challenge adding just 13.8 seconds to a game. Only 10% of surveyed fans held a negative attitude toward the system during spring training, according to MLB officials.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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