Rob Manfred Suggests MLB Will Adopt ABS Challenge System in Future
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke to the media on Thursday, detailing various changes coming to the majors. The headlining idea was the installment of the Adjusted Balls and Strikes system (ABS) to the majors in the future.
“There’s a growing consensus in large part based on what we’re hearing from players that the challenge form should be the form of ABS,” Manfred told the media. “If and when we bring it to the big leagues, at least as a starting point.”
From Manfred’s comments, some form of the ABS system should be expected in the immediate future. The strike-identifying system was first used in 2019 but implemented in a full minor league season back in 2021. The system has gained popularity every year since. According to Evan Drellich of the Athletic, “He (Manfred) has held this opinion for a while; others are coming around.”
When the ABS system is implemented, many players will be used to the new adaptation. All Triple-A teams in 2023 adapted the electronic strike zone, with half of the league using the challenge system and the other half using it for every pitch. Manfred implied the league would adopt the challenge system.
The implementation of the system would drastically change the game of baseball. MLB umpires would have the information to correctly call balls and strikes in real time, ending the days of players arguing over the strike zone. While MLB umpires are incredible at their jobs, they currently have a 94% success rate in 2024. That same rate would have totaled 43,241 missed calls last season. The Korean Baseball Organization is using ABS this season, and through 185 games, it has missed only 21 out of 55,026 pitches thrown.
Manfred said there has not been enough progress yet in the minors this season with ABS to install it in the majors for the 2025 season.
Nike
Manfred also spoke to the media about another glaring issue — the MLB jerseys.
Before the season started, the league announced it was changing the style and fabric of its jerseys, which had been a plan since 2018. However, there were clear issues when the jerseys were displayed in spring training.
The letters on the jerseys were tiny, and the fabric was too light, showing off when a player sweats. This new look left many fans disgruntled, going to social media and other platforms to express their dismay. Manfred addressed the issue with the media, stating he and MLB owners met in New York City to discuss the jerseys.
“I think [Nike] appropriately took responsibility with the issues with respect to the new uniforms and the rollout,” Manfred said. “They reiterated to the owners their commitment to get the uniforms right.”
2026 WBC
The last issue discussed by Manfred was the game locations for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
According to Manfred, the Tokyo Dome, MinuteMaid Park (Astros), loanDepot Park (Marlins), and the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will host games for the WBC. Japan won the last WBC championship in 2023 in dramatic fashion, with Shohei Ohtani striking out former and then current teammate Mike Trout.
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