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Major League Baseball will use the automatic balls and strikes challenge system will be used next week during the All-Star Game, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.
Much like the use of the system in spring training, this is likely leaning Major League Baseball to implement the system in regular season games in the near future.
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Major League Baseball used the automatic balls and strikes challenge system during spring training, and according to major league officials, it was a “positive” addition to the game for 72% of fans who were polled during spring training.
After testing the system in spring training, it was not yet approved for regular season play, and on June 1, Rays infielder Taylor Walls was ejected from a game for tapping his helmet.
While fewer players will be affected by the use of the system in the All-Star Game, it is still strange that they will be allowing players to challenge calls for this exhibition game before being thrown right back into games that don’t have the system just yet. If players who play in the All-Star Game look like they want to challenge the call when the regular season resumes, it could spark more controversy about the umpires.
This is not the first time that Major League Baseball has tried to roll out new ideas during the All-Star game, as in 2023, they used it to launch the new jersey material that would be used and subsequently hated by players the following season.
All of this is pointing to the challenge system coming to the game sooner rather than later, and after generally positive fan feedback in spring training, one more test run during the All-Star Game could solidify its arrival next season.
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