With Major League Baseball implementing its automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system for regular season games in 2026, the Yankees are already strategizing for a new age in umpiring.
“I actually had a meeting last week at home with a few of our guys who have been kind of studying it for the last couple of years, so I’m trying to get a handle on that,” Aaron Boone said during the Winter Meetings when asked if he’s begun to game-plan for robot umps. “I’m in the early stages of that.
“It’ll certainly be a focal point day in and day out in spring training.”
The manager went on to say that he had another call on the subject scheduled with coaches for the following week, and that he was eager to hear their ideas on how the Yankees can approach ABS.
MLB has been testing ABS, which still requires a human umpire behind home plate, for years in the minor leagues. It also made its way to spring training – Boone was not a fan of the “frivolous” format used in exhibition play – and the All-Star Game in 2025.
The iteration that is coming to regular season games in 2026 will give teams two challenges per game, though challenges will be retained if initial attempts are successful. Challenged pitches and the strike zone will be shown on ballpark jumbotrons.
The first two instances of the ABS Challenge System occurred in today’s Cubs-Dodgers game.
We saw both a call overturned and confirmed. pic.twitter.com/2cIXlK6lc2
— MLB (@MLB) February 21, 2025
Only hitters, pitchers and catchers may call for a challenge; they must do so by tapping their head.
With that last part in mind, Boone said in September that he plans on “pre-shaming” some of his overzealous players before they make ill-advised challenges, though he didn’t name any names.
“Look, we laugh, but it is an important part of this, how to do it,” the skipper said at the time. “What are the rules in a particular inning, in a particular at-bat, particular counts and things like that?”
Boone added that he wants the Yankees to be “as buttoned up as you can be so you’re making good choices.”
If they do that, “hopefully, you’re in a position to overturn the most impactful calls of the game on a given night,” he continued.
Yankees players thought about these things as well last spring. Anthony Volpe, for example, called ABS a “wrinkle” and said it’s “a lot to think about,” as far as strategy goes, but he was also introduced to it as a minor leaguer.
“It’s interesting to see how the umpires react after something happens,” the shortstop said during camp. “I don’t really know how it’s going to translate, or anything like that.”
One Yankee who could benefit from ABS is Aaron Judge. While the back-to-back MVP doesn’t need any help at the plate, the 6-7 slugger has been victimized by incorrect strike calls below the zone throughout his career.
“Hopefully, it’s something for Aaron that nets him a couple pitches along the way,” Boone said before the season ended.
Boone also said that ABS “definitely” won’t make pitch-framing, an area the Yankees excel in, irrelevant, as challenges will be limited if incorrect.
Asked if two challenges are too few, Boone didn’t seem to mind. What he would prefer is that they be limited to ball four and strike three calls, but he won’t be getting his wish, at least not in 2026.
“This is what it is now,” he said, “so it’s going to be incumbent on us and clubs to try and use it to your advantage.”
