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Major League Baseball tested out its Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, and based on the reaction on social media, the experiment was a success.
The first Automated Ball-Strike challenge in the game came in the first inning from Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who successfully won the decision, resulting in a strike out of San Diego Padres All-Star Manny Machado.
The ABS utilizes Hawk Eye technology, which is the same used for goal-line decision in soccer and out-of-bounds calls in tennis.
Our first ABS Challenge of the All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/DIXRgra6fg
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 16, 2025
There was an additional challenge in the bottom of the 8th inning, with Seattle Mariners pitcher Andrés Muñoz winning a challenge to strike out Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers.
After review, that's PAINT 🎨 #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/OsTew591Ef
— MLB (@MLB) July 16, 2025
The final and most consequential ABS challenge came in the top of the ninth inning, with Mets closer Edwin Diaz successfully winning a challenge in order to strike out Randy Arozarena for the third and final out in the inning.
Díaz gets the strikeout after the successful challenge!#LGM | #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/JLCAZEE5Fw
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 16, 2025
Baseball fans were loving the ABS Challenge System in the 2025 MLB All-Star game
“The ABS Challenge system rocks!” one giddy fan tweeted.
“THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED IN REGULAR SEASON GAMES!” another added.
“I can’t wait til ABS is fully implemented. It just feels like a common sense thing to exist,” a third fan said.
“We’re headed to the bottom of the ninth all tied up thanks to an ABS challenge! Can we implement this system tomorrow?” was an additional sentiment.
Here is how the ABC challenge system was deployed in the All-Star game, which perhaps paints a picture of how it’ll be used in the big leagues once it gets there.
“Each team will get two challenges and can keep them if they’re successful. Challenges can only be initiated by a pitcher, catcher or batter, and the request must come right after the pitch. To signal a challenge, the pitcher, catcher or batter will tap his hat or helmet to let the umpire know. No help from the dugout or other players on the field is allowed.” [via MLB]
This isn’t the first time that MLB has tested out the ABS system, either, as its been used at levels of the Minor Leagues since the 2021 season and has been featured in Triple-A games since 2022.