MLB Plans to use the Automated Balls and Strikes System for Mid-Summer Classic

ST JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW) -- After the MLB tested its Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system during 2025 Spring training, the league has announced that it will be using the ABS system during the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta.

With the system receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback during its time in spring training, MLB fans could see the ABS system being used during the MLB regular season and postseason as soon as 2026.

During spring training, MLB officials said that 72% of fans who were polled during spring training said ABS had a "positive" impact on their experience at the game, with 69% of those fans saying they would like it to be a part of the game moving forward.

The ABS system can be confusing, and there are a few key points to remember when watching the 2025 All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15:

1. Each team will be given two challenges to use throughout the game. If a player decides to challenge a call they disagree with, and it's successful, the team will retain their challenge. However, if it is unsuccessful, the team will lose that challenge for the remainder of the game.
2. Only balls and strikes called by the home plate umpire can be challenged.
3. Only the pitcher, catcher or hitter can initiate a challenge. The player will tap their helmet or hat to indicate they want a challenge. The challenge has to come almost immediately after the call; approved players cannot look to the dugout or players on the field to influence their decision to challenge or not.
4. After a player indicates they want a challenge, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and on broadcasts to make the call clear for the fans and umpires.

Any pitch that's touching any part of the strike zone (which varies by player) will be called a strike. No matter if it's slightly touching or completely touching the zone, it will be called a strike.

The MLB's competition committee will meet later this summer to decide if ABS will be implemented next season after the league tested the system through the minor leagues and spring training.

With rule changes seemingly coming every season for the MLB, with the most notable one being the introduction of the pitch clock, the game that many fans know and love is changing right before their eyes.

While many of the new rule changes come with mixed reviews, all parties agree on one point with ABS: They prefer a challenge-based system rather than having technology make all of the calls.