MLB tests robot umpires ahead of possible integration by 2026

The Major League Baseball (MLB) robot umpires won't be rolled out for every game this spring, but they will be in play for Friday's matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

It’s called the "automated ball-strike challenge system," or ABS. Think of it like football — referees make a call, and coaches can challenge it for review.

There's still a home plate umpire, but now players can challenge ball-and-strike calls using a computerized system.

The batter, pitcher or catcher simply tap their helmet or cap to challenge — but they only have two seconds. If they challenge, the pitch graphic appears on the scoreboard and broadcast, and the umpire updates the count. The MLB says this takes about 17 seconds.

The MLB has been testing ABS challenges in the minors for the past three seasons, and now it's set to use the system in about 60 percent of spring games to see how it holds up in the big leagues. If all goes well, fans could see it in regular-season games as early as next year.

Thirteen spring training ballparks, home to 19 teams, will be using the ABS system, and every team will have a shot at challenging ball-strike calls at some point this spring.

Each team gets two challenges per game — and they keep them if they’re correct. The Chicago Cubs have already used the system twice, which is exactly what the MLB wants. It's looking for plenty of feedback from players and managers in order to tweak the system.

Rays outfielder Richie Palacios told NewsNation he’s been messing around with the ABS system for the past couple of years and thinks it should work well.

Rays starter Ryan Pepiot said he’s curious to see how it plays out batter to batter but is concerned that it might slow the game down.

Minor league testing showed a full season with the ABS system did just that — walks went up, and the pace slowed — but fans and players have said they prefer the challenge system.