MLB All-Star Game and the Automated Ball Strike System

Tonight’s MLB All-Star Game might witness players tapping their heads more than usual, and there’s a good reason for it.

(And no, this isn’t about the infamous 2017 Astros scandal.)

When a player—batter, pitcher, or catcher—disagrees with a call, they’ll give a couple of taps on their head. This is part of the newly implemented robot referee system, which shows the last pitch on the jumbotron and issues a definitive ruling that can either confirm or overturn the umpire’s original decision.

This is all part of Major League Baseball’s push for technology, known as Automated Ball Strike (ABS). This year marks its MLB debut since its introduction during spring training in 2019.

Automated Ball Strike (ABS) Challenge System @tmobile It will be used in 2025 #AllStarGame!

The All-Star Game has the same rules as spring training. Each team starts with two challenges and retains any correct ones. pic.twitter.com/ytqpwb7ogg

– MLB (@MLB) July 10, 2025

This ABS operates under the same guidelines as current MLB challenge protocols, but it’s specifically for pitch calls.

However, there’s a twist: coaches, managers, or any spectators can’t initiate a challenge. It has to come exclusively from the batter, pitcher, or catcher, right after the umpire’s decision. No time for delays with these robotic systems.

MLB views the All-Star Game as a timely opportunity to reintroduce this system, although many players, particularly pitchers, are unsure it’s the best idea.

For instance, pitchers often feel confident about their own pitches. Paul Skens, who pitches for the Pittsburgh Pirates, voiced skepticism, saying, “If the pitcher thinks it’s a strike, they might end up getting called for a couple of balls.” He thinks it might not be worth testing.

Others, like Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, are not keen on using the system at all. He mentioned, “I’m not going to rely on them. I prefer to let the catcher handle that. I consider almost everything a strike unless the umpire says otherwise.”

Then there’s Eddie Godel, who raised an interesting point about whether the robot system could adjust for a player’s height at the plate.

Clayton Kershaw from the Dodgers expressed that these decisions really should be made by humans. Despite some imperfections in human judgment, perhaps it’s important to embrace the game as it was meant to be played.