Automated strike zone with a challenge system will be part of spring training, the regular season and the postseason in 2026.

Robot umpires are coming to the big leagues in 2026 after Major League Baseball’s 11-man competition committee on Tuesday approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System.

MLB’s Joint Competition Committee voted to approve the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) system on Tuesday, Sept. 23 after commissioner Rob Manfred passionately lobbied for the change. The players have been ...

Human plate umpires will still call balls and strikes, but teams can challenge two calls per game and get additional appeals ...

Upon further review, the ABS Challenge System has been confirmed for the 2026 MLB season. The Joint Competition Committee ...

Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced that the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) Challenge System has been approved for Major League play by a vote of the Joint Competition Committee. Beginning in ...