Major League Baseball announced Friday that the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) Challenge System will officially be implemented beginning in the 2026 season. The decision was made by MLB’s Joint Competition Committee, ending years of speculation about how and when the technology would reach the big leagues.
How It Works
The format will not replace umpires outright. Instead, home plate umpires will continue to make ball-and-strike calls, but teams will have a limited number of challenges that can be reviewed using the ABS system.
This approach mirrors what has been tested in the Minor Leagues, during Spring Training, and even at the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta. Those trials gave MLB the confidence to move forward with a plan that balances tradition with technology.
Why MLB Chose This Model
Commissioner Rob Manfred noted that the choice reflects a mix of factors. Factors include extensive testing, fan feedback, and most importantly, player preference. Surveys of Major Leaguers showed a clear lean toward the challenge model rather than a fully automated strike zone.
By combining human calls with tech assistance, the league hopes to maintain the rhythm of the game while reducing missed calls on critical pitches.
Powered by T-Mobile
The ABS system will be powered by T-Mobile, MLB’s official technology partner. The wireless giant has been heavily involved in testing and refining the system, including the rollout at MiLB parks and showcase events. Their role ensures the system will have the infrastructure and accuracy needed for full-season use in 2026.
What It Means for the Braves and MLB Teams
For the Atlanta Braves, this change means games at Truist Park — and across MLB — will soon have a new layer of strategy. Managers will need to weigh when to use challenges, and players will adjust to the reality that strike zones are no longer purely subjective.
Atlanta fans already got a preview during the 2025 All-Star Game, when the system was used on the national stage. Come 2026, it will be part of every game.
The decision represents one of the most significant rule shifts in baseball’s modern era. While the full effects won’t be known until 2026, the ABS Challenge System is now set to reshape how pitchers, hitters, and managers think about the strike zone — and how fans experience the game.
