ABS Challenge System

[Ruminator]

This should be interesting. Not sure the limit of two challenges per game is enough, though.

Everything you need to know about the new ABS Challenge System

 

[Sperrydogg]

I like it, the article was kinda boring. And two challenges ain’t enough. Wait, I quit reading before I answered this question, do you keep your challenge if you are right?

 

[DJrmb]

I LOVE it! Something needed to be done as umpires were ruining the game, at times making them unwatchable with how bad they were calling games.

2 challenges I think is fair since you only lose them if you challenge and you're wrong. So teams can keep challenging if an ump is really bad. Plus if you run out and the game goes to extra innings you get 1 back per inning started with none. In total it can actually end up being a lot of challenges in a game. Hopefully that will fast track some of the worst umps out of the game completely due to their embarrassing inaccuracy.

 

[sutz]

I enjoyed it in Spring last season.

One important point: Cal is pretty good at challenging when called for. Looked to me that he was as good as any catcher around.

 

[Ruminator]

ABS is going to be interesting during the regular season. Below from yesterday's ST game vs Reds:

 

[Azvacar]

ABS is going to be interesting during the regular season. Below from yesterday's ST game vs Reds:

I forget who.. but an ump when 0 for 5 on challenges the other day rofl.. only one of them being even remotely close

 

[Ruminator]

ABS is going to provide more than a few comical moments during the season. Not to mention the fact we'll be seeing, for the first time ever in the majors, umps actually get humbled.

 

[Azvacar]

ABS is going to provide more than a few comical moments during the season. Not to mention the fact we'll be seeing, for the first time ever in the majors, umps actually get humbled.

Yeah this is the one i was referencing.. Too bad I gotta pay to watch the mariners this year I think? Not sure what xfinity is going to do.. probably up my package price

 

[sutz]

Yeah this is the one i was referencing.. Too bad I gotta pay to watch the mariners this year I think? Not sure what xfinity is going to do.. probably up my package price

Yeah, I'm a bit lost myself, especially considering I had to pay extra for last season.

 

[Ruminator]

ABS teaching some of those umps out there that they're not all that!

 

[Ruminator]

This should be interesting.

What an understatement!

Hilarious the way CB tried to defend himself after this final (and clearly erroneous) call of the game:

 

[Ruminator]

Really cool to see this T-Mobile Park perspective of ABS challenge used by Arozarena with the strike zone graphic displayed on the giant video screen for everyone to see.

 

[Atradees]

It's fast. I like it.

 

[CalgaryFan05]

I like it. They should all have 10 challenges.

Get it right. I saw some games last season down the stretch where i'm like "Who's this guy steering the game for?"

Should be used alot more. It's a hell of a lot more accurate in my opinion than the 'phantom chains' that the NFL gets. I'm like how do you even analyze if that's right or real?

At least in the MLB they put up the fancy graphic that's supposedly your receipt of that call

And FFS, it literally takes 2 seconds - it's not like an NFL booth review - 2 commercial breaks and a couple drinks :0

 

[Ruminator]

We have needed this for so long, and I support it for most all reversals when evidenced by the ABS pitch location graphic. Pitches are just too quick, fast, and deceptive for human umpires to consistently call accurately.



However, there is currently a lot of discussion on social media regarding pitch locations that barely kiss the edge of the strike zone box (or maybe I should say enter the strike zone box by a barely discernable amount), which according to current rules, should technically be called a strike. Below image serves as an example. I'm struggling with this a bit because ABS-ruled strikes that barely kiss the box is basically enlarging the strike-zone box (compared to how umps have usually called such pitches prior to ABS), which benefits the pitcher. Will be interesting to see what tweaks they make for the 2027 season, and I'm sure there'll be a few.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

ABS really validating the fans on how bad umps have been at this. Although, to be fair, I've always been one of those who feels that fans wouldn't necessarily be doing any better behind the plate. It's just a tough job.

 

[Ruminator]

Um yeah, that was probably a strike. (Maybe don't blink during the pitch if you're the ump, eh?)

 

[Ruminator]

I bet it's only a matter of time before we see a batter adjusting his helmet a certain way getting the ump to run an ABS review because he thought the batter was calling for it... probably resulting in a brief and entertaining bit of farce between the batter pleading to cancel the ABS review and the ump.

 

[Ostatehawk]

ABS really validating the fans on how bad umps have been at this. Although, to be fair, I've always been one of those who feels that fans wouldn't necessarily be doing any better behind the plate. It's just a tough job.

It is a tough gig to be sure - and I don't even mind if the umps have a little different strike zone than is techincally the norm - but the lack of consistency even in each umps given SZ has been absolutely abysmal. I think this system will help considerably.

 

[Ruminator]

Pretty amusing honesty on the ump's part. And a perfect exemplification of why it's so hard to hit a baseball thrown by a professional pitcher.