A new technology is all set to make its way into baseball. Wondering what? Well, the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system! For quite some time, there have been whispers, objections, and discussions from almost every corner of MLB about the ABS. But after years of hard work in the minor leagues, the “robo-ump” is now getting its big league call-up and is ready to step onto the biggest platform in baseball.

For years, the human umpire’s call has been as synonymous with baseball as the bat crack or crowd roar. That imperfect, often contested choice behind the plate provides unanticipated drama, which is a key element of the sport’s allure. But the MLB is always trying to get things right, or at least be fair all the time. And that has led to ABS. The decision will no longer rely on the subjective eye of a human umpire, but on a precise, unwavering machine. That’s what ABS promises.

It has been a debatable proposition, but between all the Nos and Yes, the MLB commissioner has made an announcement. Rob Manfred, the man with the blueprint of the MLB’s future, has made his decision. When asked about the development of the ABS, he said, “MLB will propose automated ball-strike challenge system for 2026 at the major-league level.”

This is interesting because it comes after a prior report said there might be a delay in the introduction of ABS. Bob Nightengale, the MLB reporter for the USA Today, said earlier that the ABS challenge system would be delayed until 2027 because players are worried about “robo-umps taking over.” But the MLB headquarter is in no mood to push it any further.

According to The Athletic, “The league office has enough votes on the 11-person committee—which is also made up of player representatives and one umpire—to push through what it wants.”

The ABS isn’t simply a theory. It’s been tested. During the spring training 2025, the technology was used at 13 ballparks so players and officials could see how it worked. The results were promising: challenges only added around 17 seconds to the game, and about 51% of disputed calls were changed. So, the stage is set, but ABS has its flaws too, which the players highlighted. And before going to the majors, Rob Manfred must resolve them.

MLB’s Robo-Ump revolution faces resistance

ABS is set to be introduced in the MLB in 2026, but before that, it has to tick every box, which means no errors. Rob Manfred is happy with it, but not everyone is pleased with this new technology.

Corbin Burnes, the Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher, has raised serious concerns about the ABS. According to Burnes, the ABS can be off by as much as half an inch, which may not seem like a big deal, but can have significant effects in a game where accuracy is essential. He said,  “There is a margin for error that I think fans don’t realize, that a lot of players didn’t realize.”  

Burnes’s worries bring up a bigger issue. He highlighted the balance between technology’s precision and experienced umpires’ experience-based judgment. The ABS wants to eliminate human error, but it might also change how the game works, including the art of pitch framing and the nuanced relationships between pitchers and batters.

Burnes wonders if it’s necessary to replace human umps with robo-umps if 100% accuracy is not guaranteed. “If we can’t get something we feel is 100 percent accurate, why even take the job out of a guy’s hands who has been doing it for 20 years behind the plate?” he said.

As MLB moves forward with the ABS implementation, it must deal with these complicated issues. The league’s biggest challenge is ensuring they use this new technology while keeping the game’s integrity intact. Finding this balance will ensure baseball evolves while appreciating its long history. What’s your take on the ABS?