A bit of baseball history occurred during the Cubs' spring training game with the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon.
Cubs pitcher Cody Potoitz has become the first player in spring training to challenge calls using the new ABS (automatic ball strike system) that has been tested during the grapefruit and cactus league season.
On a 0-1 pitch to Dodgers infielder Max Muncy in the first inning, home plate umpire Tony Randazzo called out the ball, but Pott disagreed.
The former Yankee Hurler signaled the challenge, and ABS showed that the pitch was actually on a strike, resulting in the Cubs pitcher winning the challenge, bringing the 1-1 count to Muncy to a 0-2 count.
According to MLB, around 60% of the spring training games this season will feature the ABS Challenge System. It has been tested in minor leagues since 2021.
The system uses Hawk-Eye technology to monitor where pitch positions are associated with the batter's strike zone.
A batter, catcher, or pitcher can signal a challenge.
No one else is allowed to challenge a pitch call, and each team starts with two tasks.
“This is a huge decision for a baseball game,” said MLB Executive Vice President of the baseball business. Morgan Sword told MLB.com About the decision to try out the ABS Challenge System during Spring Training. “We want everyone to weigh.”
Some teams tested the technology during live batting practices.
In fact, the Mets were messing around with it on a video shot by Snai on Thursday.
At one point in Live BP, Francisco Lindor tried his hand at the phone and jokingly yelled at it being shown on the video board in Clover Park.
“Show the world what I'm right!” Lindor said in the video.
The Padres also tested with starter Yu Darvish throwing live BP.
