**MLB to Introduce Groundbreaking ABS Challenge System in 2026 Season**
According to the latest reports, Major League Baseball (MLB) is set to introduce the revolutionary Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) challenge system starting in the 2026 season. This new system will allow players to challenge balls and strikes they believe have been called incorrectly by umpires, marking a significant shift toward integrating technology in officiating.
The league’s competition committee recently voted to usher in this new era of “robot umpiring.” Under the new system, teams will receive two challenges per game to dispute calls made by the home-plate umpire.
Jeff Passan, MLB insider, posted on Twitter:
*”Major League Baseball will implement a challenge system for balls and strikes in the 2026 season after the league’s competition committee voted to usher in the era of robot umpiring. Teams will receive two challenges to dispute calls by the home-plate umpire.”*
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### Fans React with Humor to the ABS Challenge System
Passan’s announcement sparked countless humorous reactions from fans, who imagined amusing scenarios resulting from the use of the challenge system.
– **Zack (@iamzacharydean):**
*”Bryce Harper about to punch a robot for arguing balls and strikes.”*
– **MayerIsKing (@MayerIsKing):**
*”Jazz Chisholm will be thrown out at least once for arguing with a robot.”*
– Another fan joked:
*”Judge hitting .400 confirmed with a .600 OBP.”*
– Adding to the fun, one fan wrote:
*”Good. Aaron Boone is going to have to challenge Aaron Judge ABs 2 x 162 = 324 times.”*
– Another commented:
*”Spencer Jones is gonna use them all up in his first AB and still strike out every game.”*
– And yet another fan shared:
*”YES!! Cal behind the dish will be epic!”*
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### MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Speaks on the ABS Challenge System
On Tuesday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred weighed in on the upcoming implementation of the ABS challenge system. According to CBS insider Mike Axisa, Manfred emphasized the league’s commitment to improving the game.
*”We used the same [testing] process with ABS that started with listening to fans, conducting extensive testing at the minor league level, and trying at every step to make the game better,”* Manfred explained.
He added, *”Throughout this process, we have worked on deploying the system in a way that’s acceptable to players. The strong preference from players for the challenge format over using the technology to call every pitch was a key factor in determining the system we are announcing today.”*
Manfred continued:
*”I commend the Joint Competition Committee for striking the right balance of preserving the integral role of the umpire in the game with the ability to correct a missed call in a high-leverage situation, all while preserving the pace and rhythm of the game. I thank the Major League Umpires for their collaboration and the Major League Players for their feedback in moving the game forward for the fans.”*
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### Implementation Across All MLB Games in 2026
Beginning in 2026, the ABS challenge system will be used in every official MLB game, including spring training, the regular season, and the playoffs. This introduction represents a major step forward in integrating technology to enhance the fairness and excitement of baseball.
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### About the Author
**Raghav Mehta** is a baseball journalist at Sportskeeda and is awaiting results for a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Delhi University. He enjoys highlighting key battles between players at different stages of games and analyzing decisive moments, such as the memorable Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout clash in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Raghav is a dedicated Baltimore Orioles fan and enjoys watching a young, exciting team compete in a highly competitive division. His passion for sports and writing developed early on, leading him to pursue a career in sports journalism.
Outside of his professional work, Raghav enjoys playing sports, working out, and watching movies.
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*Edited by Raghav Mehta*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-bryce-harper-punch-robot-fans-dream-hilarious-scenarios-mlb-set-implement-abs-challenge-system-2026-season