MLB to Test Strike Zone Challenge System

Umpires to get help from technology starting next season

Beginning next season, Major League Baseball umpires will have help from a challenge system for balls and strikes. The system will be tested in the minor leagues this year.

The system, which has been in development for several years, uses cameras to track the path of the ball and determine whether it crosses the strike zone. An umpire will be able to review a pitch by using a tablet and if the system shows the call was incorrect, it can be overturned.

The system is designed to improve the accuracy of ball and strike calls, which have been a source of controversy in baseball for years. In 2021, umpires made an average of 0.84 incorrect calls per game, according to a study by the Umpire Scorecards project.

The challenge system is expected to reduce the number of incorrect calls and make the game more fair. It is also expected to speed up the pace of play, as umpires will no longer have to take time to argue with players and coaches about balls and strikes.

Here are some additional details about the challenge system:

• The system will be used in all minor league games starting in 2023.
• The system will be tested in the major leagues during the 2024 season.
• If the system is successful in the minor leagues, it is expected to be implemented in the major leagues on a permanent basis in 2025.

The challenge system is a significant change for baseball, and it is expected to have a major impact on the game. If the system is successful, it could improve the accuracy of ball and strike calls, make the game more fair, and speed up the pace of play.