Major League Baseball announced today that it will introduce the Automated Ball Strike challenge system in the 2026 season for all spring training, championship season and postseason games. The umpire will still call the pitch a ball or strike as usual, but under the new system, the pitcher, catcher or batter can immediately challenge that decision. All teams will begin a game with two challenge opportunities, and only lose them if they challenge unsuccessfully. ABS has been tested at the Triple-A level since 2022, and it finally got a chance in the majors during spring training and in the All-Star Game this year. Football/soccer has implemented a video assistant referee (VAR) system in several leagues, including FIFA and the UK's Premier league.