Robot strike zone will create winners and losers among pitchers, batters who earned human calls
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- The Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), using Hawk-Eye technology, will debut in the MLB regular season to improve pitch call accuracy, measuring pitches with about one-sixth of an inch precision.
- Over the past decade, pitchers like Kevin Gausman and Kyle Hendricks have benefited from many called strikes on pitches outside the strike zone, while others like Patrick Corbin have seen many balls called on strikes.
- Batters such as Mookie Betts have had numerous called strikes on pitches outside the zone, highlighting inconsistencies that ABS aims to reduce, potentially changing game dynamics and reducing controversial calls.
- Statcast data shows a decline in incorrect calls over recent years, with ABS expected to further standardize the strike zone based on batter height and plate location, impacting pitcher and hitter strategies.
- Some players and umpires acknowledge that while ABS may reduce human error, it also removes the traditional variability of umpire judgment, which has been part of the game’s history and strategy.
