The automated ball-strike system is gearing up to make its big debut at next week’s All-Star Game in Atlanta. This addition to the annual exhibition carries significant weight, as it could signal the system’s potential integration into the major leagues as early as next season.
Here’s how it will work: Each team will have two challenges during the game, a carryover from what we saw in spring training. Only the pitcher, catcher, or hitter can initiate a challenge, and they’ll need to act fast, almost right after the pitch. To signal their desire for a review, players will simply tap their hats or helmets, making it clear to the umpire. Importantly, no input from the dugout or other players will be permitted during this process.
Feedback from fans has been largely positive—an impressive 72% of those polled during spring training reported that the introduction of the automated ball-strike system enhanced their game experience. It’s also noteworthy that 69% expressed an interest in seeing the system included in regular season play moving forward. Only a small fraction, just 10%, voiced any negativity toward the initiative.
As the summer rolls on, MLB’s competition committee is set to convene and weigh the decision of whether to officially implement the automated ball-strike system next season. They’ve been monitoring the system’s performance in the minor leagues and spring training, where reviews have varied among players. However, there’s a general consensus leaning towards favoring a challenge mechanism over a full automation of pitch calls.
When a review is triggered, fans can expect to see an animated replay of the pitch displayed on the scoreboard. The home plate umpire will then make a call: to uphold or overturn the original decision. The automated ball-strike system relies on Hawk-Eye technology, which tracks pitches’ trajectories and locations regarding the strike zone, delivering instantaneous assessments directly to the home plate ump.
Kicking things up a notch, this technology operates on T-Mobile’s 5G network, which is also a sponsor of the upcoming Home Run Derby on ESPN in 2025. As the excitement builds, all eyes will be on Truist Park in Atlanta this Tuesday, where the All-Star Game will not only showcase the league’s brightest stars but also provide a first look at the future of strike zone technology.
