Since the 1970s, catchers have been allowed to ask the plate umpire to appeal non-strike calls on checked swings. This practice has evolved over the years, and now Major League Baseball (MLB) is taking significant strides towards integrating technology into the game. The latest development is the transition of the robot umpire technology system for checked swing calls from Class A to Triple-A, marking a notable shift in how the game is officiated.
The expansion of this technology will begin on May 5, when the checked swing test is set to roll out in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. This move comes on the heels of a controversial incident during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) semifinal, where home plate umpire Cory Blaser made a disputed call on a pitch that was below the strike zone. The call resulted in Geraldo Perdomo being struck out on a pitch that was deemed a ball by pitch-tracking systems, raising questions about the accuracy of human umpires.
Blaser, who had a 94% accuracy rate in 2025, faced scrutiny for two incorrect calls in the late innings of the WBC semifinal, which ended with Team USA defeating the Dominican Republic 2-1. The game concluded dramatically with a strikeout call against Perdomo while the tying run was on third base, further intensifying the debate over the reliability of traditional umpiring methods.
In light of these events, the decision not to adopt the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system for the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to the presence of foreign umpires has sparked discussions among players and officials. Perdomo expressed his frustration, stating, “I knew it was 100% a ball,” highlighting the emotional stakes involved in such critical moments.
Albert Pujols, a veteran player, chose to downplay the controversy, saying, “I don’t want to focus on the last pitch,” while also reflecting on the team’s overall performance, noting, “It just wasn’t meant to be for us.” This sentiment resonates with many in the sport who understand that the human element of officiating can lead to both triumph and disappointment.
As MLB continues to explore the integration of technology, the goal remains clear: to achieve 100% accuracy in calls. The introduction of the robot umpire system aims to reduce the strikeout rate, which saw a 3% reduction during testing, and to enhance the overall fairness of the game. Teams will have two challenges each in the robot umpire system, allowing them to contest calls they believe are incorrect.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact impact of the robot umpire system on game outcomes, but observers are keenly watching how these changes will affect the dynamics of play and officiating in the coming seasons. The ongoing evolution of umpire technology represents a significant step forward in baseball, as the sport seeks to balance tradition with innovation.
