Last updated March 25 — America’s pastime is getting a technology upgrade for the 2026 Major League Baseball season. Even in the most tense moments of a tied game in the 9th inning of the World Series, the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System will put fans’ minds a bit more at ease.
The difference between an umpire’s ball and strike call can decide the outcome of a game, series, or season. Now, MLB will offer players the chance to challenge calls at the plate that they don’t agree with.
Debuting during Netflix’s live broadcast of MLB Opening Night presented by Adobe between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants tonight, the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System is a game-changer.
“It’s going to be different, but I think it's going to be great for the game,” MLB Opening Night desk analyst and 11-time All-Star Albert Pujols tells Tudum. “There are so many games that you can lose by one pitch. Players will now have this weapon in the back of their pocket knowing that if anything is close, you can challenge it. I think this will be great for the game and for both the pitching side and the hitting side.”
So, how does the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System work? MLB Opening Night analyst desk host Elle Duncan explains.
“I’m really intrigued,” Duncan shares with Tudum. “I’m all for technology helping. There’s too much on the line to not get it right. I am really interested to see how teams implement these challenges. We’ve seen too many situations of having to rely on an umpire’s eye — or expanding or shrinking strike zone — and it’s too difficult for these games to come down to just that. Now, having the ability to challenge to potentially save an outcome of a game is important.”
A highly anticipated tech advancement, the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System monitors each pitch location relative to the batter’s strike zone to provide a clear view to confirm whether the human umpire’s call is correct.
Once a player makes a challenge request, an animated graphic showcasing the result is transmitted within seconds over T-Mobile’s 5G network to both the in-stadium video board and the on-air broadcast. Players, fans, and viewers at home will all see if the pitch was called correctly.
Once the call is either confirmed or overturned, the game moves forward.
With a simple tap of the head — immediately following an umpire’s call — a batter, pitcher, or catcher can formally make a challenge. Nobody else is allowed to challenge a call, even the team’s manager. Additionally, the umpire can disallow a challenge if the eligible players are tipped off by anyone else on the field or in the dugout.
Each team begins the game with two challenges, but if the game extends to extra innings, they receive additional challenges. Teams retain their challenge if it’s successful.
ABS has been tested in the Minor Leagues and in Major League Spring Training. MLB Opening Night will mark the league’s first regular-season game using the new technology. ABS was previously previewed at last season’s MLB All-Star Game.
During MLB Opening Night, Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero became the first player in history to challenge an umpire call using ABS in a MLB regular season game. He requested another look at a called strike — but was ruled incorrect — so the call was confirmed.
Due to existing local media rights, the game will not be available in certain markets. Outside those territories, it will stream on Netflix around the world.
To watch Major League Baseball Opening Night, you’ll just need an active Netflix subscription — the games are included in all plans. Once you’re signed in on any supported device, simply open Netflix and select the MLB Opening Night stream to start watching.
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