Dodgers Manager Offers Insights on Ball-Strike Challenge System

PHOENIX – Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hasn’t established strict guidelines for his players about the newly introduced ball-strike challenge system in Major League Baseball this season.

However, he did share some preliminary thoughts on Friday.

“At this point, I’m okay with the catcher challenging the pitcher,” Roberts mentioned just before the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener, where they’ll be using the Automatic Balls and Strikes system, commonly referred to as ABS, for the first time.

And what happens if a pitcher wants to contest a call?

“He better have the right call,” Roberts joked.

With the introduction of ABS, players are facing a fresh dynamic. This year, each team can challenge at least two ball-strike calls per game using automatic reviews. Unlike challenges for other plays, ABS challenges can only be initiated by the batter, catcher, or pitcher and need to be done by tapping their head within two seconds after a pitch.

If a team loses two challenges during a game, they cannot dispute any further calls—unless they find themselves in extra innings, which grants them another chance to challenge.

“Practicing during spring training is beneficial,” Roberts stated. “We’re looking at leverage and ways to utilize it strategically.”

ABS, which uses Hawkeye ball-tracking technology to analyze pitches in the strike zone, took quite a while to roll out. It has been trialed in minor leagues since 2022, with a preference shown by players to have limited challenges rather than relying solely on the system for pitching calls.

Last spring, MLB tested the system during a major league spring training game, collecting feedback to refine details for the regular season implementation.

“I believe this could really help baseball,” Roberts opined.

One major concern regarding ABS has been its definition of the strike zone. Veteran third baseman Max Muncy noted that during a minor league rehab stint, the ABS system set the top of the zone much higher than what human umpires usually call.

“Some pitches had me double-checking on my iPad to confirm whether it was a strike,” he recounted, adding that he thought a pitch was clearly in the zone but it wasn’t called that way.

But MLB is making adjustments. Based on data from actual umpire calls, the top and bottom of the zone will be slightly narrower now. Additionally, MLB will measure players’ heights this spring, customizing the strike zone for each batter.

“I believe they’re working to improve things,” Muncy commented. “But we won’t know for sure until we see it in action.”

For the Dodgers, this new process begins on Saturday, setting the stage for an interesting storyline throughout the season.

As the season progresses, challenge success rates will likely be closely monitored by media, coaches, and analysts—just like batting averages and on-base percentages.

Players’ strategies regarding when to contest calls will come under scrutiny too, adding a new layer to each at-bat.

“You have to be smart about when to challenge,” Muncy explained. “If it’s the third inning, with a count of 0-2, and no one out, even if you think you might be right, does it really matter that much? But in the eighth, with bases loaded and a close pitch, even if it’s a risk, that could be worth the challenge.”

Roberts mentioned that hitters need to be self-aware in those moments and not challenge calls out of frustration.

“It ties into baseball IQ,” he said. “Understanding when to take the chance and when not to.”

For a pitcher like Glasnow, that often means relying more on the catcher, who can gauge the zone better from behind the plate.

“If it’s blatantly obvious, I might challenge it anyway,” Glasnow added with a smile.

But as Roberts humorously cautioned, if he does, he better be sure he’s right.