Get ready for a game-changing moment in baseball history. Starting in 2026, Major League Baseball is about to get a high-tech makeover with the introduction of robot umpires.

The MLB’s competition committee has officially approved the Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS), which means human plate umpires will now share the field with their technological counterparts. But don’t worry, it’s not a total robot takeover – players can still challenge two ball and strike calls per game.

The Tech Behind the Strike Zone

Using Hawk-Eye cameras, these robot umps will track pitches with precision that human eyes can only dream of. The system has been tested in minor leagues since 2019, gradually making its way up through different baseball tiers. Yankees outfielder Austin Slater noted that while the technology isn’t 100% perfect, neither are human umpires who currently get about 94% of calls right.

A Game-Changing Shift

This move could dramatically reduce baseball’s notorious arguments and ejections. Last year, a whopping 61.5% of ejections were related to balls and strikes. Managers and players will now have a digital arbiter to appeal to, potentially cooling down those heated on-field confrontations.

What Players Are Saying

Reactions from baseball professionals range from cautious acceptance to genuine excitement. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt bluntly stated, “You can like it, dislike it, it doesn’t matter. It’s coming. It’s going to change the game forever”. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized that the challenge format was specifically designed with player preferences in mind.

So baseball fans, get ready for a future where technology and tradition collide on the diamond. The robot revolution is here, and it’s calling strikes.