GOODYEAR, Ariz. – An automated ball-strike system is on the brink of the Major Leagues, likely coming within the next few years, but minor-league players still see some flaws with it.
Major League Baseball instituted an automated ball-strike system (ABS) in the Florida State League last year where the Cincinnati Reds have their low-A affiliate, the Daytona Tortugas. The Tortugas were the one team that didn’t have ABS set up inside of their ballpark, so they had an umpire call balls and strikes during home games, then went to the automatic system for their road games.
“I felt comfortable having an umpire (call strikes) back there,” said Reds minor-league outfielder Allan Cerda through team interpreter Jorge Merlos.