ROBOT UMPIRE CHALLENGE SYSTEM COULD BE TESTED NEXT SPRING TRAINING, 2026 REGULAR-SEASON USE POSSIBLE

Major League Baseball could test robot umpires as part of a challenge system in spring training next year, which could lead to regular-season use in 2026.

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MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in the minor leagues since 2019 but is still working on the shape of the strike zone.

“I said at the owners meeting it is not likely that we would bring ABS to the big leagues without a spring training test. OK, so if it’s ‘24 that leaves me ‘25 as the year to do your spring training test if we can get these issues resolved, which would make ‘26 a viable possibility,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said this week during a meeting with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. “But is that going to be the year? I’m not going to be flat-footed on that issue.

“We have made material progress. I think that the technology is good to a 100th of an inch. The technology in terms of the path of the ball is pluperfect.”