Major League Baseball (MLB) commissioner Rob Manfred appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, where he spoke in favor of the league joining the sports that continue to rely on technology, as this makes refereeing decisions fairer and ends controversy.
“This year, emails about bad plays and strikes have gone through the roof, because (fans) have seen that it can be improved, and the main theme of the emails is ‘What the hell are you waiting for?'” Manfred told the media and audience in attendance.
Automated Ball-Strike System in MLB
The new technology Manfred spoke about is the Automated Ball Strike System, which will be available for the Midsummer Classic as the league continues to test it before officially implementing it in MLB. And it looks like its implementation could be just around the corner.
In this regard, the Commissioner hinted that the use of the ABS system will be an important test before its possible introduction in 2026. “We are going to use it. It has been used in the minor leagues for several years and we tested it with Major League players in spring training,” he added.
MLB All-Star Game will use ABS system
The automated ball-strike system will come to the All-Star Game tonight in Atlanta. MLB executives say 72% of fans surveyed during spring training said the impact of ABS on their in-game experience was “positive.”
69% said they would like it to be part of the game in the future, while only 10% expressed their opposition. MLB’s competition committee will meet later this summer to determine whether the ABS will be implemented next season, after the league tested the robotic system in the minor leagues.
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