Major League Baseball will not implement an automated ball striking system for home plate umpires until the 2025 season, according to commissioner Rob Manfred.
So-called “robot umpires” were among several topics addressed by the MLB commissioner during a press conference following an owners meeting on Thursday, the Associated Press reported.
As Manfred explained, the automated ball striking system (ABS) has not developed as MLB would prefer since it has used the system in the minor leagues since 2019.
“We still have some technical issues,” Manfred said. “We haven’t made as much progress in the minor leagues this year as we would have hoped at this point. I think it is becoming increasingly likely that this will not happen in 2025.”
Manfred went on to explain that there is a growing feeling among MLB players that automated ball and strike calls should first be implemented through a challenge system, which would still require umpires to call behind-the-base calls and continue to reward catchers who are good at structuring the pitch.
“You could imagine a world where instead of a defensive-focused receiver, the receiving position becomes more of an offensive player,” Manfred said. “It alters people’s careers. These are real, legitimate concerns that we need to consider before we jump off that bridge.”
A challenge would likely be issued by a batter signaling to the home plate umpire that he wants the call reviewed, as demonstrated in this video (by Dayn Perry of CBS Sports):
One of the “technical issues” that MLB and the players association are trying to resolve is the format of the automated strike zone. Apparently neither side wants the zone to be called as stated in the rulebook, which is shaped like a cube measuring roughly from the batsman’s armpits to his knees.
Currently, ABS makes calls based on where the ball crosses at the midpoint of home plate, eight inches in front and behind the base.
“Originally, we thought everyone would be sincerely in favor of the idea, if you can get it right every time, it’s a great idea,” Manfred added. “One thing we learned in these meetings is that players feel that there may be other effects on the game that would be negative if you use it to the fullest.
