If you’ve watched or listened to the right games this Spring Training, then you might have noticed a new quirk in the rules, which the San Francisco Giants have attempted to take advantage of with mixed results. And if you like watching AAA baseball, then you’re probably fairly familiar with it.
MLB has done a trial run on their Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system this spring, in preparation to potentially bring it to the regular season next year. The ABS system isn’t used for all pitches — it probably won’t be for a while — but instead allows pitchers, catchers, and hitters to challenge the called outcome of a pitch.