During a 2025 spring training game, Max Scherzer, a seasoned pitcher for the Blue Jays, faced an unexpected challenge. Twice, the new ABS challenge system overturned calls he had relied upon throughout his career. Frustrated, Scherzer voiced a sentiment shared by many of his peers: “Can we just play baseball? We’re humans. Can we just be judged by humans?” His words highlighted the tension between tradition and innovation as MLB embraced technological advancements.
Scherzer wasn’t alone in his frustration. Across baseball, players are trying to adjust to the new tech-driven world. Some see it as an upgrade, while others—like Athletics star Brent Rooker—are struggling to trust themselves in the process. MLB has been rolling out the ABS challenge system in different leagues and spring training, and while the goal is accuracy, the adjustment period hasn’t been easy. The system allows pitchers, catchers, and hitters to challenge umpire calls on balls and strikes, using Hawk-Eye technology (the same used in tennis and cricket) to determine if the call was correct.
Unlike a fully automated strike zone, this system keeps umpires in control but gives players the power to correct a missed call. Each team gets two challenges per game and keeps them if they’re successful. The idea is simple: fewer blown calls, more fairness. But for players used to trusting their instincts, it’s not that simple.
Amidst these changes, Brent Rooker has candidly shared his experiences and the internal challenges he faces adapting to this technology. Rooker’s journey with the ABS challenge system began during a game in Las Vegas, marking his sole encounter with the technology due to its limited implementation across Spring Training venues. Reflecting on this experience, Rooker recounted, “I took a 3-1 pitch that I thought was a ball. I didn’t challenge it, and I struck out the next pitch. So I went back and looked at it, and it was a ball. I should have challenged, but I just have to learn to trust myself a little bit more.”
“I just have to learn how to trust myself a little more.”
Brent Rooker details the learning process behind the ABS challenge system. pic.twitter.com/nHsC9mQiPC
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 14, 2025
This incident underscores a broader theme prevalent among players adapting to the ABS system—the balance between instinct and technology. The immediate nature of baseball requires split-second decisions, and the introduction of a challenge mechanism adds complexity to these moments. Rooker’s hesitation to challenge, stemming from uncertainty and the fear of appearing misguided, highlights the psychological adjustments players must undertake.
The system’s objective is to enhance the accuracy of calls while preserving the human element of umpiring. During Minor League testing, approximately 51% of player-initiated challenges led to overturned calls, indicating a significant impact on game dynamics. However, Rooker’s experience is not isolated.
Uncertainty surrounds MLB’s ABS system as players adjust to change
The introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system in MLB has sparked a range of reactions from players, reflecting both optimism and apprehension. During a Spring Training game between the Dodgers and Cubs, Max Muncy became the first player to experience the challenge system. After taking a pitch he believed was a ball, Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet challenged the call, which was subsequently overturned, resulting in Muncy’s strikeout. Reflecting on the system, Muncy acknowledged its potential, stating, “The technology isn’t 100% there, but the idea of it’s really cool. It’s progressing.”
On the other hand, more cautious voices are coming from Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini, who recently experienced the ABS system during a Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. While he successfully overturned two ball calls to strikes, Caratini expressed uncertainty about the system’s long-term implications for catchers, particularly concerning the art of pitch framing. He acknowledged the need for adjustments as baseball evolves but remains cautious about how these changes might affect the catcher’s role.
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Arizona Diamondbacks at Boston Red Sox Aug 25, 2024 Boston, Massachusetts, USA Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida 7 is tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez 28 during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Boston Fenway Park Massachusetts USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xEricxCanhax 20240825_szo_qe2_0120
Similarly, Jeff Mathis, renowned for his defensive prowess and exceptional pitch framing, voiced concerns about the ABS system’s impact on the catcher’s craft. Mathis lamented that the artistic side of catching might be lost, stating, “It’s that artistic side… that’s out the window. Just catch it; put yourself in position to block or possibly throw, and let the robots take over.” His perspective underscores the potential erosion of skills that have been integral to the catcher’s role for decades.
On one side, the promise of a more accurate strike zone is undeniable. On the other hand, the very soul of catching—the human instincts, the subtle art of framing, the mind games between pitchers and batters—could be fading into history. Baseball has always been a game of tradition and evolution colliding head-on. Now, with the ABS system creeping closer to full implementation, the question remains—will MLB find a way to merge technology with tradition, or is this the beginning of an entirely new era? One thing is certain: the future of the strike zone is no longer just in the umpire’s hands.
What do you think? Is ABS a necessary step toward fairness, or is baseball losing its human touch? Share in the comments below.
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