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Major League Baseball (MLB) is set to test robot umpires during spring training next year, potentially integrating an automated ball-strike system (ABS) by the 2026 season, this initiative, spearheaded by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, reflects the league’s ongoing efforts to incorporate advanced technology to enhance the accuracy and consistency of the game.
Background
MLB has been experimenting with ABS at the minor league level for the past five years, with extensive use in all Triple-A ballparks since 2023. The experimentation initially divided games between full ABS and a challenge system, where human umpires made calls subject to limited reviews. On June 25, 2023, MLB shifted exclusively to the challenge system based on player feedback.
Manfred’s Announcement
During his pre-All-Star Game briefing with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), Rob Manfred emphasized the need to resolve technical issues related to the strike zone definition before introducing robot umpires to major league players which will be tested during spring training next year. He highlighted that 2025 would be a critical year for testing the system in spring training, which could pave the way for full implementation by 2026.
Manfred remains cautious about committing to a specific timeline, stating, “We need ’25 to do the spring training test if we can get these issues resolved, which will make ’26 a viable possibility.” He added, “Is that going to be the year? I’m not going to be flat-footed on that issue.”
Player Feedback and Technological Challenges
The move to a challenge system was almost entirely driven by player preferences. According to Manfred, ABS technology is highly accurate, with precision down to a hundredth of an inch, and the ball’s path tracking is nearly perfect. However, he acknowledged that the technology is not yet fully ready for major league use.
“One thing we learned with the changes last year is — a little more time is better than not enough time,” Manfred explained. “And I mean that just in terms of making sure — when you bring something to the big leagues, you got to make sure you’ve got it right.”
Rule Changes and Committee Approval
Any new rule changes must be approved by an 11-member competition committee, comprising an umpire, four players, and six team representatives. This structure ensures that MLB has the majority vote in rule implementation. This committee was instrumental in introducing the pitch clock, larger bases, and infield shift restrictions before the 2023 season.
Concerns and Negotiations
The expiration of the umpires’ collective bargaining agreement at the end of the 2024 season adds another layer of complexity to the ABS implementation. Negotiations are expected to address MLB’s desire for ABS, with Tony Clark, executive director of the MLB Players Association, noting the varied player opinions on the system.
“There are those that have no interest in it at all; there are those that have concerns even with the challenge system as to how the strike zone itself is going to be considered, what that looks like, how consistent it is going to be,” Clark stated. He also highlighted potential issues like Wi-Fi failures or technological malfunctions during games, which could compromise the integrity of the system.
