MLB votes to allow robot umps for challenges during 2026 season

For the first time in MLB history, balls and strikes will be able to be challenged starting in the 2026 regular season. 

The Automated Balls/Strikes (ABS) Challenge System, which was featured during spring training to test it at the big league level, will be implemented after the Joint Competition Committee voted for it on Tuesday afternoon. 

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made an announcement on the massive change to the game of baseball. 

“The previous rule changes that have been adopted by the Joint Competition Committee have had staying power and created momentum for the game,” he said in a statement. “We used the same process with ABS that started with listening to fans, conducting extensive testing at the Minor League level, and trying at every step to make the game better. Throughout this process we have worked on deploying the system in a way that’s acceptable to players. The strong preference from players for the Challenge format over using the technology to call every pitch was a key factor in determining the system we are announcing today.”

As Manfred mentioned, this isn’t a total “robot umps” takeover in MLB, as regular umpires will still be behind the plate calling balls and strikes. Instead, the system is a type of middle ground, as the ABS Challenge System allows teams to request a fast review of very important ball-strike calls during a game. 

CONTROVERSIAL AUTOMATED BALL-STRIKE SYSTEM IS A ‘GOOD ADDITION,’ BUT NEEDS DEVELOPMENT, MLB ALL-STAR SAYS

Here’s how it will work: 

• Each team gets two challenges apiece to start a game. If the challenge is successful, the team keeps said challenge to use later in the game.
• If the game goes into extra innings, any team that begins the 10th inning without their two challenges from earlier in the game will get one more. If they use that challenge, they will receive another in the 11th inning, and so on. 
• If a team still has challenges entering extra innings, they will not have one added on in the 10th inning. 
• This system will be used for both the regular season and postseason.

So, based on the number of challenges, this won’t be holding up the game as pace of play remains a priority for MLB. But it also makes the usage of it extremely strategic for teams. Players have to be smart on when is the right time to deploy those two challenges. 

To issue a challenge, the batter, pitcher or catcher has the ability to tell the umpire he wants a second look. The player will tap his cap or helmet to tell the umpire of their desire to challenge the call. And it’s worth noting a manager or coach is not allowed to issue the challenge – it must be the player.

The system runs on a 5G private network from T-Mobile for Business’ Advanced Network Solutions. The league’s Hawk-Eye technology will be running in the background and monitoring pitch locations throughout the game relative to the batter’s strike zone. 

When a call is challenged, the Hawk-Eye view will quickly be transmitted through the 5G network, and it will be shown almost instantaneously to the spectators at each stadium via the videoboard as well as home viewers on respective broadcasts.

“We’ve accomplished a lot through our longstanding partnership with MLB, and the rollout of ABS – powered by T-Mobile 5G – is one of our most exciting milestones yet,” Mike Katz, president of market, strategy and products at T-Mobile, said in a statement. “It’s a powerful example of how we’re using our technology to help MLB innovate, while preserving the character of the game we love.”

MLB saw the system used in 288 spring training games in 2025, with an average of 4.1 challenges per game. Those challenges took an average of 13.8 seconds to get the call right before resuming play. 

During spring training challenges, players tapped their cap or helmet on 2.6% of all called pitches. The overturn rate was 52.2%, which was higher than the 50% overturn rate at the Triple-A level this year. Pitchers and catchers were more successful in their challenges than hitters (54.4% to 50%, respectively). 

Technology continues to change sports as it becomes more advanced, and since umpires have always been a hot topic for fans and players alike, it will be interesting to see this challenge system implemented next season. 

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