‘Roboump’ Challenge System To Be Used At MLB All-Star Game

SportsMoney‘Roboump’ Challenge System To Be Used At MLB All-Star GameByMaury Brown, Senior Contributor

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights

More coming to the All-Star Game. (Photo by Caitlin O'Hara/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty Images Major League Baseball used the Automated Balls And Strikes (ABS) system – often called “Roboumps” – in Spring Training, and now it will see its biggest stage at this year’s All-Star Game, from Atlanta

As was the case in Spring Training, teams will be able to use two challenges on calls by the umpires

If the challenge is successful, the team retains the challenge; if not, they lose it

A pitcher, catcher, or hitter can make the challenge by tapping their hat or helmet

Other teammates, managers, and coaches in the dugout are not allowed to assist in making the challenge or make the challenge themselves

Challenges are then reviewed by an automatic replay of where the ball crosses the strike zone based on a Hawk-Eye system

Fans will be able to see the pitch with the ABS system displayed on the scoreboard and on television

The umpire will then be able to uphold the initial call of ball or strike, or overturn it

ESPN was the first to report on the addition to the All-Star Game

The official announcement will come on Thursday

The league has experimented with the ABS system for several years in the minor leagues

It was used for the entirety of Spring Training this year, along with the challenge system, and was wildly successful

MORE FOR YOU League officials have said that internal polling during Spring Training shows that 72% fans had a positive view of it

Just 10% said they had a negative view of the system

Rob Manfred has said that ABS could be used as part of the MLB regular season as soon as 2026

The fan polling suggests that they would that to happen

Sixty-nine percent of those polled during Spring Training expressed a desire to see the ABS challenge system continue going forward

While not universally d, a majority of the players have been in favor of the system

This year’s MLB All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 15, at Truist Park, of the Atlanta Braves

It airs on FOX at 7 pm ET

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