Major League Baseball’s ABS Challenge System
Major League Baseball is gearing up for innovation in the 2026 season with the introduction of the ABS Challenge System. The All-Star break provided a moment to consider how automatic ball-strike systems have transformed the game, and so far, the response has been largely positive.
To understand ABS systems, we should look at the technology behind them. T-Mobile has been a key player in this development. If you visit a stadium or watch the game from home, T-Mobile’s branding is everywhere. But it’s more than just advertising; they’ve provided the tech for the ABS systems as well.
Amy Azzi, T-Mobile’s vice president of sponsorship, shared, “We’ve partnered with Major League Baseball for over 10 years, and I think one of the reasons this has been so successful is that we’ve continued to innovate together,” during the All-Star Celebration at Citizens Bank Park.
The testing phase for ABS systems in minor leagues started back in 2022. While accuracy was critical, speed was also essential to maintain the flow of the game. The system uses Hawkeye cameras stationed at all Major League parks, with data being transmitted over a private 5G network that T-Mobile provides, resulting in almost instant feedback.
Morgan Sword, MLB’s executive vice president of baseball operations, explained, “All data is sent to a software system that we developed over the T-Mobile network. That software system determines whether the ball’s trajectory matches the designated strike zone. If challenged, it generates a call.”
This call is visible on the scoreboard and during broadcasts. Maintaining the game’s pace requires a significant amount of technology to respond quickly.
Up until now, there have been over 6,000 challenges in the first half of the regular season. Each team starts with two challenges, losing one with each unsuccessful attempt. According to Sword, this number was based on tests done in minor leagues and feedback from fans. Two challenges per team seemed to strike a good balance.
He noted, “The reason we decided on two challenges per team was because in the minor leagues, where we started when we were three years old, we received overwhelming feedback from fans. They said the ABS Challenge was exciting, but it could disrupt the game a bit. So we adjusted it to two, which led to about four challenges per game. It felt cost-effective, and the fan reaction was positive.”
While fan feedback has been largely favorable, there are questions about how players feel. Brewers’ Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski expressed his thoughts on the ABS system during an event at T-Mobile, suggesting it might give an edge to hitters.
“Yes, there is a benefit for pitchers to get that corner call, but I think hitters have an even greater advantage when a ball gets reversed to a strike,” he said.
He believes that this system tends to favor hitters, but he appreciates the technological advancements that are coming into play in baseball.
“All the technology and data we see on the scoreboard is fascinating. We can take that information and adjust our pitches accordingly. The Hawkeye system, for instance, is a major plus,” he added.
Phillies legends Ryan Howard and Chase Utley both think they would have found an ABS system beneficial during their careers.
“I think we both understood the strike zone quite well, and now pitchers, catchers, and hitters seem to be getting a better grasp of it,” Howard noted. “We’ve seen pitches so far outside that they should’ve been called balls, but with a slight adjustment, they can become strikes.”
Utley agreed, stating, “So far, I think the calls have generally been accurate. Ultimately, it’s about making the right call.”
While the ABS system appears to be succeeding, MLB is also considering other tech innovations for the game. They are piloting a check-swing system in the minors.
“This uses the same tracking technology as Hawkeye, but it actually monitors the bat as the player swings. For the first time in baseball history, we can accurately define what a swing is,” Sword explained. “We’ve never had a clear standard for that, so we’re seeing what works, but we may make adjustments.”
There’s been considerable deliberation about these systems and their impact on the fan experience.
Azzi reflected, “Watching the games at the ballpark has been really enjoyable. I mentioned to Morgan the other day, during the loudest moment, you’d think someone just hit a home run,” referring to the ABS system.
“It’s exciting to see how it’s drawing in more interest and supporting the positive momentum that the sport currently has,” she concluded.
