Robot Umpires Coming to MLB in 2026
Get ready for a big change in baseball! Major League Baseball (MLB) has decided to introduce robot umpires starting in 2026. This comes after a vote by the competition committee, where players and team representatives expressed strong support for the move.
Here’s how it will work: Human umpires will still call balls and strikes, but players can challenge two calls per game. If the challenge is successful, the team keeps its challenge. The results of the reviews will be shown on big screens in the stadium.
Austin Slater, an outfielder for the New York Yankees and a member of the committee, acknowledged that no system is perfect. “Even umpires miss calls sometimes,” he said. Currently, Major League umpires correctly call about 94% of pitches, according to data from UmpScorecards.
What Does This Mean for Ejections?
The introduction of robot umpires may lead to fewer ejections. Last season, over 60% of ejections involved arguments about balls and strikes. Many of these disagreements led to heated moments on the field, like players throwing equipment or making derogatory remarks. With a more precise system in place, there’s hope that tensions will ease.
Aaron Boone, manager of the Yankees, commented on the inevitability of this change. “It’s going to be here,” he noted. “Hopefully it’s a good thing.” Other managers, like Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt, agree that players will need to adapt, stating, “It’s coming. It’s going to change the game forever.”
Testing the Technology
The Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS), which uses advanced Hawk-Eye technology, has been trialed in minor leagues since 2019. It was even used in the All-Star Game, where most challenges were upheld. Recent studies show that in Triple-A, teams successfully challenged about 52% of plays, reflecting a slight decrease in proportion from earlier experiments.
It’s intriguing to note that MLB has experimented with different strike zone shapes over the years, including three-dimensional versions. Currently, the ABS calls strikes based on the ball’s midpoint passing the plate, ensuring a consistent definition of what constitutes a strike.
Adjusting to Change
With these new technologies, players will have to learn how to navigate the game differently. Some worry that robot umpires may make certain skills—like pitch framing—less valuable to catchers. This has become a significant part of the game, with catchers using techniques to make borderline pitches appear better than they are.
As MLB looks forward to 2026, it’s worth recalling the changes introduced in 2024, which included a pitch clock and larger bases. Each adjustment aims to speed up play and improve the game.
Final Thoughts
Baseball is evolving, and robot umpires represent a significant step in that direction. Players, managers, and fans alike are anticipating how it will change the game. As technology improves, it remains crucial to balance tradition with innovation for the future of baseball.
For more insights on this topic, check out AP MLB.
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