Major League Baseball is being extra cautious as the new Automated Ball Strike Challenge System takes effect this season.
The Chicago Sun Times reported last week that MLB broadcasts will not show whether a pitch is a ball or a strike on the strike zone on the screen, in an effort to ensure no one can abuse the ABS system via on-screen broadcasts.
In theory, though, that would have already been difficult, and the change is one that would likely have gone unnoticed by viewers at home.
The broadcast will still show pitches in the strike zone box, but there will be no definitive indication of what the correct call is, which was shown by a circle in the strike zone box that would be filled in to mark a strike or hollowed out to indicate a ball.
“The change was made because that box will now be used for the ABS system, and MLB is doing everything it can to ensure no one can misuse it. In fact, the box will be displayed in only one place in the stadium: the broadcast booth,” the Sun-Times wrote in their report.
The change seems unnecessary, given the short time players have to challenge a ball or sound a strike signal.
The batter, pitcher or catcher is the only one allowed to challenge and not receive any assistance in doing so, and the challenges must be made immediately, essentially making it impossible for anyone to attempt to cheat the system using the broadcast.
The challenge is started by a player tapping the top of their head, after which an animation of the relevant pitch is displayed on the stadium video board and on the television broadcast.
The ABS system has been tested in the minors since 2022 and was used during spring training last year.
The MLB voted in favor of introducing ABS last September.
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