Brewers Prepare for New MLB Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System

Players train with new technology ahead of 2026 season rollout

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:07am

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Major League Baseball is set to implement an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system in the 2026 season that will allow players to challenge ball and strike calls during games. The Milwaukee Brewers are working with this new technology during spring training to get their players acclimated ahead of the league-wide rollout.

Why it matters

The ABS system is a major shift in how baseball games are officiated, moving away from human umpires making ball and strike calls to an automated system. This will impact strategy, gameplay, and the overall fan experience, making it an important change for the sport.

The details

The ABS system uses advanced computer vision and tracking technology to precisely determine if pitches are balls or strikes. Players will be able to challenge calls, with the automated system overriding the umpire's decision. The Brewers are among the teams getting an early start on training their players on how to effectively use the new challenge system.

  • The ABS system will be implemented across Major League Baseball starting in the 2026 season.
  • Brewers players are working with the new technology during their 2026 spring training.

The players

Major League Baseball

The professional baseball league that governs the sport in the United States and Canada.

Milwaukee Brewers

A professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that plays in the National League of Major League Baseball.

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What’s next

As the 2026 season approaches, more teams will begin integrating the ABS challenge system into their spring training and pre-season preparations to ensure a smooth transition when the new technology is implemented league-wide.

The takeaway

The introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike system represents a major technological advancement for baseball, shifting the way the game is officiated and potentially impacting strategy and gameplay. Teams like the Brewers are getting an early start on preparing their players for this significant change to the sport.