Spring training action kicked off on Friday for both Chicago baseball teams as the Cubs hosted the White Sox at Sloan Park and fans got their first look the ABS challenge system that will be implemented in MLB beginning this year. Both teams combined to challenge three balls/strikes call during Friday’s game, giving fans the opportunity to see how the review system operates as MLB decided to fully incorporate the technology on a full-time basis starting in 2026.
Minor leaguers have already experienced the ABS challenge system at Triple-A since the 2022 season and some even before at lower levels. So, while younger players may be used to it, the veterans still seem a bit skeptical about it.
First impressions from Friday’s Cubs vs. White Sox game. All three times a challenge was used it took at least 20 seconds from the time the catcher asked for a review to the time the call was eventually overturned or confirmed.
It’s the first game of spring training, so I’m not going to shit all over the process, but you would certainly hope the process speeds up once the regular season arrives. Probably working out the kinks right now, so hopefully the league has it all ironed out by Opening Day. It seemed to work flawlessly at Triple-A.
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Most importantly though, get the call right! Even if at first the process is slower than expected as a fan I still want a ball to be called a ball and a strike to be called a strike.
That being said, fans across MLB won’t have the real-time ability to bitch about missed calls anymore. MLB announced that broadcasts will no longer indicate if a pitch is a ball or strike according to the strike zone box. This is being done to avoid another Houston Astros cheating scandal.
So, what do you guys think about the ABS challenge system coming to MLB? Here’s a full breakdown of how it will work for teams.
Challenge Limits – Each team starts with two challenges per game through the first nine innings; successful challenges are retained (carry over), unsuccessful ones are lost.
Extra Innings – Teams receive at least one new challenge in extra innings (with a reset mechanism ensuring availability, even if both were used earlier); some reports indicate a per-extra-inning guarantee or reset.
Who Can Challenge – Only the pitcher, catcher, or batter can initiate a challenge; they must signal immediately after the call (typically by tapping their head/hat/helmet) — no input from managers, coaches, or other teammates/dugout is allowed.
The ABS challenge system will also be used during the playoffs.
