The upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Atlanta will feature the use of the automated ball-strike (ABS) system for the first time. The ABS challenge system, allowing players to request a video review of select balls and strikes, may become a regular season fixture by 2026 after being tested in over half of this year’s spring training games. Each team is granted two challenges for called balls or strikes, initiated by the batter, catcher, or pitcher immediately following the umpire’s call. Managers and other on-field personnel cannot request a review. The review, displayed through Hawk-Eye Technology, is shown to the umpire and on stadium video boards upon request. Viewers watching broadcasts will also see the replay, which MLB has noted adds around 17 seconds to a game. The ABS system uses precise measurements to create a digitized strike zone for each batter, with uniform dimensions for all players. The 95th MLB All-Star Game will be held at Atlanta’s Truist Park, managed by Aaron Boone for the American League and Dave Roberts for the National League.
