The controversial robot umpire system took center stage during the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, marking its first appearance in a primetime event. Known as the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system, it allows players to contest umpire decisions on pitch calls.
Although major league players first encountered the ABS during spring training, regular season games have still relied on human judgment. Minor leaguers, however, have been using the system more regularly.
On Tuesday night, it made an immediate impact. In the first inning, a pitch from American League pitcher Tarik Skubal to Manny Machado was ruled a ball, keeping Machado at the plate with a 1-2 count. But a challenge flipped the call, sending Machado back to the dugout with a strikeout.
Reactions were mixed. AL outfielder Byron Buxton expressed his discomfort with the system, saying it adds unnecessary layers to a game already influenced by social media pressure and betting.
Buxton, who hit a crucial double in the ninth inning, shared his view with Fox News Digital before the game, saying ABS complicates things by letting fans bet on pitch outcomes and takes away from the feel of the sport.
Tuesday’s game ended with the National League winning dramatically, clinching the first-ever swing-off in All-Star Game history and securing its second victory in three years.
The ABS remains a hot topic across the league, with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred previously confirming plans to consider its wider adoption. Meanwhile, the debate continues as players and fans alike weigh the future of strike zone accuracy versus traditional umpiring.
