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Baseball

In reply to the discussion: Baseball ABS is a game changer. [View all]

Wounded Bear

(64,723 posts)
18. You are correct about the actual challenge...
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 11:14 AM
Feb 2026

It must come from the player with no bench intervention. However, you can bet your bottom dollar that managers will tell players before the game starts who can and who can't challenge. The Mariners catcher, Cal Raliegh, was pretty good at it last spring. Batters are looking at the pitch from a different angle, so their challenges will naturally be successful less often, and some guys don't have much of a clue.

The couple of spring games I've seen, the players have been pretty liberally calling challenges. I don't expect that to continue when the games start counting. In the games I saw, the two challenge limit was reached pretty quickly in the early innings, leaving no recourse later in the game. Managers will be pretty strict on who can challenge and who can't.

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Baseball ABS is a game changer. [View all] OAITW r.2.0 Feb 2026 OP
What?!? Sun-Moon Feb 2026 #1
An Umpire Had Five Straight Calls Get Overturned With ABS Brother Buzz Feb 2026 #2
This is the vid that I watched that made me realize how big a game changer this tech is. OAITW r.2.0 Feb 2026 #5
There is another Video with the analysis giving the ump a pass on one pitch Brother Buzz Feb 2026 #6
I imagine ABS will compensate. If the batter changes his stance at the pitch , the zone will change at the same time. OAITW r.2.0 Feb 2026 #13
No. All hitters have been measured WestMichRad Feb 2026 #16
The strike zone is mutable. It not only changes with the batter, LisaM Feb 2026 #17
Don't shoot the messenger! WestMichRad Feb 2026 #19
The two I saw the other day were in height. LisaM Feb 2026 #22
It's spring training for umps, too... Wounded Bear Feb 2026 #3
You definitely need limitations on challenges. Most shouldn't be contested. OAITW r.2.0 Feb 2026 #4
Managers have no direct say in the pitch challenge action. WestMichRad Feb 2026 #7
How is the review done? OAITW r.2.0 Feb 2026 #9
It's actually displayed on the jumbotron at the game... Wounded Bear Feb 2026 #23
You are correct about the actual challenge... Wounded Bear Feb 2026 #18
I have no doubt that you are correct on this. WestMichRad Feb 2026 #20
My guess is this is a stepping stone to ABS calling all the pitches VMA131Marine Feb 2026 #15
I'm a high school umpire and would love to have ABS and reviewed calls. chicoescuela Feb 2026 #8
It has to be controlled use. Otherwise, the game breaks down. OAITW r.2.0 Feb 2026 #10
Of course, you're right the number of challenges has to be controlled. chicoescuela Feb 2026 #11
It's a beautiful thing to be involved at your level. OAITW r.2.0 Feb 2026 #12
Absolutely right. I love the game and being involved with the kids that love it too. chicoescuela Feb 2026 #14
It will change the game a little... WestMichRad Feb 2026 #21
Informative little video right here True Dough Mar 2026 #24
Quickly, I think the rule will change, only catches/batters can ask for review. OAITW r.2.0 Mar 2026 #25
Chris Sale has already stated he will not challenge. True Dough Mar 2026 #26
Imagine if Angel Hernandez was still around.. Princess Turandot Mar 3 #27
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