Times are changing in Major League Baseball. Beginning in 2026, players will be able to challenge balls and strikes at the plate.
The ABS challenge system existed in the minor leagues as a proof of concept of what the game would look like with such systems in place. Pacing wasn’t slowed by the challenging process, which only takes a few seconds once initiated, and now challenges are heading to the majors.
Wilson Contreras was the first Red Sox player to use ABS, challenging a strike three call in spring training on Saturday. He won the challenge.
That play initiated a conversation about how exactly Boston plans to attack the ABS system this season.