Introduction of Robot Umpires in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially announced the adoption of Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System, also known as “robot umpires,” starting from the 2026 season. This decision aims to reduce human error and minimize call-related ejections. The system will utilize a dozen Hawk-Eye cameras to track pitch locations and provide accurate calls. The league will use a mix of human umpires and automation going forward.
Preserving the Human Element
The ABS system will only come into play when a team uses one of its two allotted challenges per game. If a game stretches long into extra innings, teams that have run out of challenges will get additional appeals. This approach preserves the game’s human elements, such as pitch framing, where catchers make close pitches appear as strikes. 
According to Rob Manfred, MLB commissioner, “Throughout this process, we have worked on deploying the system in a way that’s acceptable to players,” with a “strong preference from players for the challenge format over using the technology to call every pitch.”
Path to Adoption and Fan Response
The path to adopting robot umpires has been years in the making, with the first full ABS system deployed in the independent Atlantic League in 2019. The system was then tested as a challenge system in the Florida State League in 2022 and later adopted in Triple-A. Fans have largely embraced the technology, with nearly three-quarters saying it improves their viewing experience and 69% favoring the challenge system. The scoreboard at Truist Park is seen during an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on July 15, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Technical Details and Future Implications
Starting in 2026, batters, pitchers, or catchers who dispute a call can request a challenge and defer to the ABS system, which runs on a private 5G network from T-Mobile. Hawk-Eye will be displayed on scoreboards and broadcasts, and a ruling will be delivered almost instantly. The league hopes that ABS will cut down on confrontations, as balls and strikes accounted for 61.5% of ejections in 2023 and 60.3% so far this season. Beyond Hawk-Eye, A.I. is reshaping the wider sports landscape, with applications in the NHL, tennis, and other leagues. For more information, visit Here
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