ABS System Debuts at MLB All-Star Game

In Atlanta, minor league baseball players have started to learn about automated ball strike (ABS) systems. While these systems were showcased during spring training for Major League players, the regular season has reverted to human referees deciding if a pitch lands in the strike zone.

The controversial challenge system made its way into prime time on Tuesday night, making its debut at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. It didn’t take long for the ABS system to shake things up during the festivities.

In the bottom of the first inning, American League pitcher Talix Cuvall faced off against infielder Manny Machado of the Padres. The initial call was a ball, which shifted the count to 1-2 instead of resulting in a strikeout. However, after utilizing the ABS Challenge System, Machado was ruled out, heading to the dugout on a strikeout.

Byron Buxton expressed his reservations about the ABS system during a chat at the American League clubhouse. He stated, “I’m not an ABS fan.” He noted that baseball has changed, in part due to these technological advancements. “It complicates things even more than they already are,” he added, perhaps slightly exaggeratedly.

Buxton on Pete Rose

Buxton also weighed in on the Hall of Fame debate, saying, “I don’t know how many people will get 4,000 hits. It’s wild that he wasn’t in the Hall of Fame to see that.” This statement came as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently announced that “shoeless” Joe Jackson and other deceased players had been taken off the permanently ineligible list.

On a significant note, Buxton hit a crucial double in the ninth inning of the All-Star Game, helping the National League win the first swing-off in the event’s history. This victory marked their second win in three years.