- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
MLB Broadcasts to Hide Strike Zone Details for New ABS System
League aims to prevent exploitation of automated ball-strike technology
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Major League Baseball is implementing a new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) this season, and as part of that, broadcasts will no longer definitively indicate whether a pitch is a ball or strike on the on-screen strike zone. The league is taking this precautionary measure to ensure no one can exploit the new automated system through the TV broadcasts.
Why it matters
The ABS system is a significant technological change for MLB, aiming to bring more consistency and accuracy to ball and strike calls. By hiding the strike zone details on broadcasts, the league is trying to protect the integrity of the new automated system and prevent any potential cheating or exploitation.
The details
Under the new ABS system, the strike zone box will still be shown on broadcasts, but there will be no filled-in or hollowed-out circle to indicate a strike or ball. This is because the box will now be used directly by the ABS technology, and MLB wants to prevent anyone from trying to game the system based on the broadcast information. Players can still challenge calls, but they must do so immediately by tapping the top of their head, and an animation of the pitch will then be shown.
- The ABS system has been tested in the minor leagues since 2022 and was used during spring training last year.
- MLB voted to adopt the ABS system in September 2025.
The players
MLB
Major League Baseball, the professional baseball league in the United States and Canada.
Joe Martinez
MLB Vice President of On-Field Strategy, who gave a presentation about the new Automated Ball/Strike system.
What’s next
The new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System will be implemented for the first time in the 2026 MLB regular season.
The takeaway
MLB is taking proactive steps to protect the integrity of its new automated ball-strike technology by hiding key details from television broadcasts. This shows the league's commitment to ensuring fairness and consistency in umpiring, even if it means making changes that may initially seem confusing or unnecessary to viewers.
