Athletics and Giants Lead in Robot Umpire Challenges During Spring Training

MLB teams see mixed success rates with new automated ball-strike system in first 10 days of spring games

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants had the highest success rates in overturning ball and strike calls using the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during the first 10 days of spring training, according to data released by Major League Baseball. The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers had the lowest challenge success rate, while the New York Yankees averaged the most challenges per game.

Why it matters

The ABS system, which uses radar technology to call balls and strikes, is set to make its regular season debut on March 25. Its implementation is part of MLB's efforts to improve the consistency and accuracy of umpiring, though teams are still adjusting to the new technology during spring training.

The details

The Athletics won 69.2% of their challenges using the ABS system, followed by the Giants at 66.7%. The Dodgers had the lowest success rate at 21.4%. Overall, MLB teams won 51.3% of their challenges, with an average of 2.3 challenges per game. The Yankees averaged the most challenges at 3.8 per game, winning 52.6% of them.

  • The data covers the first 10 days of spring training.
  • The ABS system will make its regular season debut on March 25, 2026.

The players

Oakland Athletics

The MLB team that had the highest success rate in overturning ball and strike calls using the new Automated Ball-Strike system during spring training.

San Francisco Giants

The MLB team that had the second highest success rate in overturning ball and strike calls using the new Automated Ball-Strike system during spring training.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The World Series champion MLB team that had the lowest success rate in overturning ball and strike calls using the new Automated Ball-Strike system during spring training.

New York Yankees

The MLB team that averaged the most challenges per game using the new Automated Ball-Strike system during spring training.

Automated Ball-Strike System

The new radar technology system that will be used to call balls and strikes in Major League Baseball starting in the 2026 regular season.

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What’s next

The Automated Ball-Strike System will make its regular season debut on March 25, 2026, as MLB continues to test and refine the new technology during spring training.

The takeaway

The mixed results from spring training show that MLB teams are still adjusting to the new Automated Ball-Strike system, with some clubs like the Athletics and Giants finding more success in overturning calls while others like the Dodgers struggle. This transition period will be important as the league works to improve the consistency and accuracy of umpiring through the new technology.