Major League Baseball is undergoing a wave of changes unlike anything seen in its century-plus history, with tradition giving way to innovation as the league adjusts to a faster-paced, tech-driven world. Among the latest developments previewed during spring training is the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system, which could debut in official games as early as 2026. If adopted, ABS would mark the first time the strike zone is measured objectively, ending over a century of reliance on human umpires’ judgment.

This potential shift follows a string of recent changes: restrictions on defensive shifts, larger bases to encourage steals, permanent ghost runners, and the National League finally adopting the designated hitter. MLB has also floated ideas like a “Golden At-Bat” rule, where teams could use a star hitter out of order once per game.

Some rules already in place for 2024—like trail runner outs and penalties for shift violations—might seem minor but reflect the league’s broader push to speed up gameplay and cater to modern viewing habits. Analysts like Peter Stolpe argue these changes now serve business needs more than in-game improvements, targeting fans in the stands and on screens rather than simply refining play on the field.

For casual viewers, ball-strike calls might seem insignificant, but a single decision can swing a hitter’s performance dramatically. A 3-1 count turns an average player into a Shohei Ohtani-level slugger, while 2-2 drops that same hitter’s numbers to near-minor league levels. These margins are why ABS, even with only two failed challenges allowed, could carry such weight.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone heads to the mound to swap pitchers during a spring training matchup.

While some fans, like Dominick Albertelli, accept modernization but oppose tech judging balls and strikes, others like Helene Stever are adjusting slowly, balancing loyalty to tradition with openness to change. Yankees manager Aaron Boone, often ejected for arguing calls, supports giving players the right to challenge—but says timing and context matter. “What’s the leverage in the game?” he asks. “Is it a 3-2 count where it’s a big difference between a walk and a strikeout?”

Boone joked that even with ABS, he’d still find reasons to yell at umpires. And with baseball evolving at a rapid pace, he probably won’t run out of them anytime soon.