[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "in%20major%20league%20baseball%2C%20what%20does%20the%20new%20ABS%20stand%20for%20and%20how%20does%20it%20work%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s a breakdown of what MLB\u2019s new ABS system is, what it stands for, how it works, and why it\u2019s a big deal:\n\n---\n\n## What does ABS stand for?\n\nABS = **Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System** in Major League Baseball as of 2026. It\u2019s sometimes shortened to **Automated Ball-Strike (ABS)**. The system is built to bring technology into making sure ball and strike calls are correct when needed. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## How does it work?\n\nHere\u2019s how the system works in practice:\n\n- **Pitch tracking**  \n  12 Hawk-Eye cameras are installed around every major league park. These cameras track every pitch and determine whether the ball crossed through a virtual strike zone. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Strike zone definition**  \n  The zone is rectangular, set at 17 inches wide (same as home plate), with the top boundary at 53.5% of the batter\u2019s height and the bottom boundary at 27%. Players\u2019 heights are measured (without cleats, standing straight) and certified before games. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Challenges**  \n  Rather than having technology call every pitch automatically:\n\n  \u2022 Each team gets **two challenges per game**. If a challenge is successful (i.e. the original call was overturned correctly), that challenge is **not lost**. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))  \n  \u2022 Only the **pitcher, catcher, or batter** involved may initiate a challenge. They must do it **immediately** after the umpire\u2019s call\u2014by tapping their helmet or hat, plus saying something to signal the challenge. Coaches can\u2019t initiate it. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))  \n  \u2022 In **extra innings**, if a team enters without any challenges left, they are granted **one challenge** for those innings. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Review process**  \n  Once a challenge is made:\n\n  \u2022 The pitch location is compared to the player\u2019s strike zone. If *any part* of the ball touches the zone, the pitch is ruled a **strike**. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))  \n  \u2022 The call is either confirmed or overturned; the decision is announced by the home-plate umpire, and a graphic showing the outcome is shown on the stadium scoreboard and on broadcasts. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))  \n  \u2022 The whole challenge process takes about **15 seconds** on average. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Why it was introduced and what it changes\n\nHere are the motivations behind ABS, and the impact it\u2019s having:\n\n- **Fixing missed calls**  \n  Ball and strike calls are among the most frequent disputed decisions in baseball. ABS gives players a formal way to challenge the \u201cclose ones\u201d instead of just arguing in vain. ([sportingnews.com](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-abs-challenge-system-all-star-explained/8d0a720e021d5534422c75fd?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Balance of tradition & tech**  \n  The system doesn\u2019t remove human umpires. Rather, it keeps the human element for most calls, with a technological check in key moments. MLB emphasized that players preferred the challenge format over having every pitch called by machine. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-announces-abs-challenge-system-coming-to-the-major-leagues-beginning-in-the-2026-season?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Uniformity and consistency**  \n  With standardized strike zones based on height and definition from the rule book (rectangle, fixed dimensions), ABS aims to make sure strike zones are more consistent across different parks and umpires. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9b817bb2c4666c984aa86ed29b401461?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can also pull up how players are adapting to it so far, or some of the more notable instances in early 2026 games where ABS played a key role."
    }
]