Browsing: Challenge

The early-season optimism in Gorgie has been well documented following the £10m investment from Tony Bloom, who bullishly claimed Hearts are in a position to challenge for second this season.

Many sneered at the comments from the Brighton owner, but with each passing week that bold assessment is looking more realistic with Rangers in turmoil and Celtic yet to hit top gear.

Both Old Firm clubs will play their games in hand over Hearts on Sunday, but already Russell Martin’s men are 12 points behind the leaders while the reigning champions now have a five-point gap to close.

However, some have used Aberdeen’s collapse last term as a reason to put a lid on the positivity bubbling away at Tynecastle.

Jimmy Thelin’s side won 10 of their first 11 league games and were at one stage 12 points clear of Rangers, who then ended the campaign 22 ahead of the Dons.

But, like McInnes, former Rangers and Hibernian midfielder Kevin Thomson says Hearts fans have every right to get carried away amid a stunning start to the season.

“The Hearts fans should be excited and get carried away,” said Thomson on BBC Sportsound. “They’re singing and dancing. That’s why we’re football fans.

“Can Hearts continue to beat the rest? I don’t think anyone can underestimate how difficult it is to win a lot of games on the bounce. It’s a tough ask.

“But, if I was a Hearts fan, I would be optimistic and getting carried away like everyone else.”

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOVER 3, 2025
CINCINNATI, OHIO AT HERITAGE BANK CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

Commentators: Michael Cole, Booker T

Ring Announcer: Mark Nash

Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 6,943 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 17,556 spectators when configured for concerts.

JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…

PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorchâ€s Christopher Maitland to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. Weâ€ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!

Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. Weâ€ll read your emails live during the post-show.

If you canâ€t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller†and “pwtorch†in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.

VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE

LINK TO BE A VIP CALLER:

Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller†(or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).

OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE

[HOUR ONE]

Advertised Matches & Appearances

• Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker
• Sami Zaynâ€s United States Open Challenge to continue
• Tiffany Stratton to appear
• Damian Priest to be in action

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If you’re interested in attempting the famed 9-9-9 Challenge at a Philadelphia Phillies game this postseason, the club has you covered with a ready-made kit … sort of.

Editor’s Picks

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Confused as to what the 9-9-9 Challenge is? The premise is simple: A participant must consume nine hot dogs and nine beers over the course of the nine innings of a baseball game.

With scores of fans certain to be flocking to Citizens Bank Park for the 2025 postseason, the Phillies decided to make the challenge easier for fans by packaging it into a convenient one-stop bundle purchase.

Well, a version of the challenge, that is.

Presumably aiming to be a little more approachable for the average fan, Philadelphia’s 9-9-9 Challenge box reins things in a bit. The hot dogs are “fun size,” and the beers are “petite.”

The Phillies have a 9-9-9 Challenge box for the Postseason 😭

It comes with 9 “fun size” hot dogs and 9 “petite” beers, and even features a scoreboard to keep track of your progress 🤣 pic.twitter.com/UsIFJzS4gg

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2025

The box does come with a built-in scoreboard, so fans can check off the hot dogs and beers as they’re consumed throughout the game. It will be sold in Section 128 and will cost $54.99.

The Phillies’ postseason run — and an unknown number of mini 9-9-9 Challenges — will begin on Saturday, with the Los Angeles Dodgers traveling to Citizens Bank Park for Game 1 of the National League Division Series.

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Tonight, Friday, October 3, 2025, WWE SmackDown broadcasts live from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, starting at 8 PM ET on the USA Network in the United States and streaming internationally on Netflix.

Storylines are focused on building toward Crown Jewel, including more potential appearances from Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyreâ€s revenge arc, and a strong focus on the developing tag team and womenâ€s division storylines.

Matches and Segments (October 3, 2025)

Main Event Tag Team Match: Cody Rhodes teams with Randy Orton to face Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker (The Vision). This comes after Orton helped Rhodes clear the ring of these challengers last week, building momentum toward Crown Jewel.

Sami Zaynâ€s United States Championship Open Challenge: Zayn, who has successfully defended his title in a string of open challenges, will issue another open challenge for the U.S. Championship tonight. Previous challengers have included John Cena, Rey Fenix, Carmelo Hayes, and Jeâ€Von Evans. The new challenger will be revealed on the show.

WWE Womenâ€s Champion Tiffany Stratton Appearing: After defeating Nia Jax and Jade Cargill last week, Tiffany Stratton will address her Crown Jewel opponent, Womenâ€s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, and set her sights on further championship dominance.

Damian Priest in Action: After an ongoing feud with Aleister Black, including backstage attacks, Damian Priest is scheduled for an in-ring match. Speculation is that Kit Wilson could be his opponent, with Aleister Black possibly interfering.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest WWE news on the road to WWE Crown Jewel Perth next weekend.

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Some new announcements have been made for this Friday’s WWE SmackDown card.

Taking place at Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, the episode will be headlined by Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton teaming up against Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed of The Vision. Three new announcements for the show have now been made, with Sami Zayn, Tiffany Stratton, and Damian Priest set to appear.

– Zayn will continue his United States Championship open challenge series. With the aim of being a fighting champion, Zayn has made weekly title defenses the staple of his reign. He’s defended the belt against John Cena, Rey Fenix, Carmelo Hayes, and Je’Von Evans in consecutive weeks. His fifth defense will take place this Friday against a yet-to-be-announced opponent.

– Stratton retained her WWE Women’s Championship over Nia Jax and Jade Cargill last week. She now is slated to face Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer at Crown Jewel: Perth on October 11 to decide the 2025 women’s Crown Jewel Champion. Stratton will look ahead to that matchup on Friday’s SmackDown.

– Priest, who is involved in an ongoing feud with Aleister Black, will be in action on the episode. His opponent has not been announced.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, October 3) —

• Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
• Sami Zayn United States Championship open challenge
• Tiffany Stratton looks ahead to Crown Jewel: Perth match against Stephanie Vaquer
• Damian Priest in action

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AEW/Triller TV

Darby Allin challenged Jon Moxley to an I Quit match at AEW WrestleDream.

Moxley had emerged after the main event pitting AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander against Mina Shirakawa had ended, with Wheeler Yuta coming out to meet the victorious champion with the belief that she was going to be joining the Death Riders.Â

Statlander declined the offer and made a quick retreat, leaving the Death Riders to contend with Allin as his music preceded his entrance, equipped with a flamethrower.Â

Allin directed the flames toward Moxley and the Riders, backing them up and even causing Moxley to trip over the ring steps. Allin stood atop the ring steps as Moxley and the others took their leave, making the challenge for them to meet at WrestleDream on October 18 in an I Quit match.Â

Allin is searching for his first win over Moxley in what will be their sixth match since June 14, 2019, having lost to him in their Coffin Match at All Out last Saturday. Allin appeared to have that match won, had it not been for the return of PAC, though he would get his revenge later in the event as he stuffed Moxley in a bodybag and lit it on fire.Â

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Image credit:
Aaron Judge (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

There was a fun discussion during the Yankees/White Sox game on YES Network Tuesday night in which it was noted that Aaron Judge gets more called strikes below the zone than any other MLB hitter.

The logic is that if that’s the case, Judge may benefit dramatically from the new ABS challenge system when it comes to the majors in 2026.

And it’s true. Judge has taken pitches in the shadow area below the zone called strikes 41.6 percent of the time. The MLB average is 36.2 percent.

But there’s one problem with this thinking as it pertains to the ABS challenge system. While Judge does get a larger number of called strikes in the shadow area at the bottom or just below the zone, he also gets an extremely low number of called strikes at the shadow area at the top of the zone.

This season, Judge has had pitches in the shadow area at the top of the zone called strikes only 5.7 percent of the time. The MLB average is 30.1 percent. On the sides of the zone, he’s gotten a 59.5 percent called-strike rate compared to the MLB average of 56.2 percent.

So, things average out for Judge. In all, sees a called strike rate of 41.6 percent of pitches in the shadow zone at the edges of the strike zone. That’s slightly below the MLB average.

Heard a stat on the Yankees broadcast suggesting that Aaron Judge will get a lot of calls overturned in an ABS challenge system. I will note that Aaron Judge has a slightly below league avg 41.6% called strike pct on pitches in the shadow zone this year (LG avg is 42-43%).

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) September 24, 2025

Still, it’s an interesting discussion, and it has us wondering: Which hitters and pitchers stand to benefit the most with the implementation of the ABS challenge system next year?

For example, it’s fair to say those hitters with excellent batting eyes will have a better idea of which pitches to challenge. But are there other factors potentially at play? That’s harder to say. logic

Below, you can find the called-strike percentage on pitches in the shadow zone for every MLB hitter with 100 or more taken pitches in 2025 in those zones. Do these numbers suggest Wilmer Flores will benefit more than anyone from the ABS system while someone like Corey Seager is in for a world of trouble?

Maybe. Or maybe not.

We saw more modest, but somewhat similar ranges of called strike rates for hitters in Triple-A, where Diego Castillo, Josh Rivera, Jimmy Herron and Nick Solak all total called strike rates of 51-52 percent in the shadow zone while Joey Loperfido, Spencer Jones and Walker Jenkins all had called strike rates of 33 percent or lower in the shadow zone. Since Triple-A has already been using the challenge system, this makes it clear that the challenge system doesn’t even things out at the edges of the zone.

Only time will tell what the effects are at the MLB level next time. In meantime, we present Statcast data to study on called strikes in the shadow zone for both hitters and pitchers.

Shadow Zone Called-Strike Percentage For 2025 MLB Hitters (Min. 100)

PlayerCALLED StrikesBALLSSHADOW ZONE
Taken Strike %Flores, Wilmer20716855.20%Fitzgerald, Tyler816754.73%Duran, Ezequiel605154.05%Rojas, Johan605253.57%Lopez, Otto24221053.54%Meidroth, Chase27023553.47%Altuve, Jose21018553.16%Toro, Abraham1018953.16%Kim, Hyeseong666052.38%Slater, Austin676152.34%Báez, Javier11810852.21%Jung, Josh17716252.21%Beavers, Dylan605651.72%Wagaman, Eric21320051.57%Sanoja, Javier13212451.56%Hassell III, Robert706651.47%Lewis, Royce14513851.24%Gonzalez, Romy10810351.18%Santander, Anthony797650.97%Canha, Mark595750.86%Sosa, Edmundo737150.69%Higashioka, Kyle12412150.61%Dezenzo, Zach515050.50%Marte, Noelvi10410250.49%Smith, Dominic767550.33%Wilson, Jacob15415350.16%Thomas, Lane646450.00%Massey, Michael828250.00%Iglesias, Jose13914149.64%Tena, José686949.64%Matos, Luis565749.56%Perkins, Blake899149.44%Burger, Jake10410749.29%Solano, Donovan676949.26%Schneider, Davis9710049.24%White, Eli939649.21%Wade, Tyler586049.15%Beck, Jordan22623549.02%Bogaerts, Xander22323249.01%Sheets, Gavin22223149.01%Campbell, Kristian11712248.95%Arcia, Orlando626548.82%Cowser, Colton15516348.74%García Jr., Luis15015848.70%House, Brady717548.63%Rosario, Amed495248.51%Hayes, Ke’Bryan21823248.44%Betts, Mookie28130048.36%Sosa, Lenyn17418648.33%Ramírez, Agustín17418748.20%Caballero, José14715848.20%Neto, Zach17118448.17%Polanco, Jorge18019448.13%Taylor, Tyrone11412348.10%Peña, Jeremy15717048.01%Ramos, Heliot22324247.96%Hoerner, Nico20822647.93%Mountcastle, Ryan10111047.87%Hampson, Garrett556047.83%Straw, Myles11012047.83%Bleday, JJ12013147.81%Correa, Carlos21723747.80%Urías, Luis14115547.64%Farmer, Kyle9910947.60%Rushing, Dalton596547.58%Waters, Drew566247.46%Garver, Mitch12914347.43%Keaschall, Luke829147.40%Chourio, Jackson16017947.20%Saggese, Thomas11512947.13%Allen, Nick14616447.10%Ozuna, Marcell29032647.08%Díaz, Elias849546.93%Arenado, Nolan13715546.92%Kiner-Falefa, Isiah16718946.91%Schneemann, Daniel16518746.88%Trevino, Jose9610946.83%Pagés, Pedro11813446.83%Fermin, Freddy11012546.81%Alexander, Blaze9510846.80%Yoshida, Masataka657446.76%Frazier, Adam14816946.69%Clement, Ernie14016046.67%Mayo, Coby11112746.64%Garcia, Maikel26930846.62%Yelich, Christian24327946.55%Toglia, Michael12814746.55%Andujar, Miguel9010446.39%Alvarez Jr., Nacho778946.39%Harris II, Michael16318946.31%Gasper, Mickey505846.30%McCarthy, Jake758746.30%Jeffers, Ryan18621646.27%Paredes, Isaac18621646.27%Pérez, Wenceel11713646.25%Bailey, Patrick16519246.22%Stott, Bryson26931446.14%Westburg, Jordan10712546.12%Ortiz, Joey19022246.12%Doyle, Brenton17120046.09%Gurriel Jr., Lourdes16519346.09%Isbel, Kyle14717246.08%Rocchio, Brayan11413445.97%Rice, Ben20424045.95%Ward, Taylor34040045.95%Williamson, Ben11313345.93%Rivas, Leo627345.93%Kwan, Steven28233345.85%Arraez, Luis21024845.85%O’Neill, Tyler667845.83%Triolo, Jared13716245.82%Cruz, Oneil23327645.78%Acuña, Luisangel546445.76%Simpson, Chandler15017845.73%Julien, Edouard8510145.70%Bregman, Alex20724645.70%Call, Alex15318245.67%Pasquantino, Vinnie22526845.64%De La Cruz, Elly23427945.61%Alvarez, Yordan839945.60%Dingler, Dillon15118145.48%Soler, Jorge13015645.45%Smith, Cam18522245.45%Walker, Jordan11614045.31%Clarke, Denzel627545.26%Espinal, Santiago12415045.26%Myers, Dane12314945.22%Kirk, Alejandro17020645.21%Norby, Connor9411445.19%Rave, John759145.18%Hamilton, David799645.14%Rutschman, Adley16620245.11%Herrera, Jose10112345.09%Volpe, Anthony22427345.07%Mead, Curtis9812044.95%LeMahieu, DJ627644.93%Rogers, Jake627644.93%Rojas, Miguel11514144.92%Fortes, Nick8410344.92%Langeliers, Shea13616744.88%Donovan, Brendan18823144.87%Martínez, Angel13216344.75%Bride, Jonah678344.67%Vientos, Mark12715844.56%Bellinger, Cody22728344.51%Fry, David486044.44%Arozarena, Randy27634544.44%Refsnyder, Rob8911244.28%Stephenson, Tyler13917644.13%Carlson, Dylan10112844.10%Schanuel, Nolan20726344.04%Jansen, Danny12916444.03%Marsee, Jakob8110344.02%Bader, Harrison15820144.01%Young, Cole9512143.98%Lockridge, Brandon516543.97%Ritter, Ryan506443.86%Lee, Jung Hoo22328643.81%Adams, Riley10213143.78%O’Hoppe, Logan11614943.77%Marsh, Brandon14418543.77%Bichette, Bo17722843.70%Aranda, Jonathan13817843.67%Witt Jr., Bobby18523943.63%Freeman, Tyler14318543.60%Murphy, Sean12015643.48%Alonso, Pete22929843.45%Rafaela, Ceddanne12215943.42%Torres, Gleyber27435843.35%Goldschmidt, Paul17222543.32%Langford, Wyatt22229143.27%Diaz, Yainer9312243.26%Lee, Brooks15720643.25%Schmitt, Casey10213443.22%Pham, Tommy17523043.21%Caminero, Junior18324143.16%Peraza, Oswald699143.13%Verdugo, Alex9712843.11%Meyers, Jake13017243.05%García, Adolis16321643.01%McLain, Matt22630042.97%Lux, Gavin18224242.92%Maldonado, Martín516842.86%Tawa, Tim668842.86%Edman, Tommy11715642.86%Conforto, Michael18925342.76%Bohm, Alec16522142.75%Laureano, Ramón18725142.69%Baldwin, Brooks9012142.65%Vázquez, Christian7510142.61%Nootbaar, Lars24833442.61%Díaz, Yandy23932242.60%Winn, Masyn22029742.55%Vierling, Matt446042.31%Henderson, Gunnar21329142.26%Hernández, Teoscar16322342.23%Adell, Jo14920442.21%Crow-Armstrong, Pete10514442.17%Dubón, Mauricio8611842.16%Turner, Trea18225042.13%Keith, Colt16823142.11%Wade Jr., LaMonte11716142.09%Freeland, Alex537342.06%Biggio, Cavan456242.06%Semien, Marcus16923342.04%Hummel, Cooper425842.00%Carter, Evan8111241.97%Rortvedt, Ben446141.90%Young, Jacob13218341.90%Stanton, Giancarlo10614741.90%Hays, Austin10815041.86%Suzuki, Seiya24934641.85%Rodríguez, Julio15421441.85%Tellez, Rowdy11816441.84%Ibáñez, Andy466441.82%Clemens, Kody11516041.82%Misner, Kameron8912441.78%Rooker, Brent18525841.76%Karros, Kyle436041.75%McCutchen, Andrew22030741.75%Soto, Juan30843041.73%Marte, Starling10614841.73%Kelly, Carson14320041.69%Mauricio, Ronny507041.67%Vaughn, Andrew15221341.64%Machado, Manny21830641.60%Palacios, Joshua527341.60%Giménez, Andrés10414641.60%Judge, Aaron23232641.58%Mastrobuoni, Miles649041.56%Swanson, Dansby19227041.56%Naylor, Bo13919641.49%Castellanos, Nick11616441.43%Perdomo, Geraldo29742041.42%Malloy, Justyn-Henry537541.41%Moore, Dylan9112941.36%Canario, Alexander557841.35%Barger, Addison15321741.35%Torrens, Luis8111541.33%Pederson, Joc10214541.30%Tatis Jr., Fernando24034241.24%Jones, Jahmai568041.18%Manzardo, Kyle17024341.16%Pages, Andy17224641.15%Kim, Ha-Seong7911341.15%Grichuk, Randal8111641.12%Schuemann, Max679641.10%Herrera, Iván15722541.10%Cronenworth, Jake20329141.09%Morel, Christopher7610941.08%Hernández, Enrique7811241.05%Roden, Alan486941.03%Steer, Spencer19628241.00%Edwards, Xavier18426540.98%Urías, Ramón10915740.98%Friedl, TJ24735640.96%Collins, Isaac18526740.93%Wood, James29142040.93%Canzone, Dominic7210440.91%Busch, Michael19828640.91%Rengifo, Luis15522440.90%Guerrero Jr., Vladimir24235040.88%Taveras, Leody588440.85%Hicks, Liam16924540.82%Bauers, Jake8211940.80%Suárez, Eugenio20329640.68%Santana, Carlos17024840.67%Anthony, Roman13519740.66%Holliday, Jackson20029340.57%Happ, Ian26238440.56%Chisholm Jr., Jazz18126640.49%Moncada, Yoán10615640.46%Taylor, Michael A.10615640.46%Martin, Austin7811540.41%Larnach, Trevor19829240.41%Vargas, Miguel20830740.39%Bell, Josh16324140.35%Greene, Riley19428740.33%Realmuto, J.T.16424340.29%Kurtz, Nick17826440.27%Baldwin, Drake13019340.25%Profar, Jurickson13820540.23%Frelick, Sal19328740.21%Adames, Willy22934140.18%Outman, James477040.17%Caglianone, Jac578540.14%Hoskins, Rhys13620340.12%Baty, Brett15823640.10%Smith, Will20430540.08%Torkelson, Spencer23034440.07%Marte, Ketel18928340.04%Lindor, Francisco22333440.04%Narváez, Carlos13620440.00%Kemp, Otto619239.87%Robert Jr., Luis11216939.86%Muncy, Max14521939.84%Contreras, Willson17226039.81%France, Ty12719239.81%Walls, Taylor11517439.79%Shaw, Matt13320239.70%Jackson, Jeremiah426439.62%Yastrzemski, Mike19629939.60%Freeman, Freddie15623839.59%Carpenter, Kerry11417439.58%Ruiz, Keibert6510039.39%Sánchez, Jesús15624039.39%O’Hearn, Ryan18228039.39%Osuna, Alejandro578839.31%Urshela, Gio446839.29%McNeil, Jeff11718139.26%Thomas, Alek11317539.24%Wagner, Will477339.17%Nimmo, Brandon21934139.11%Riley, Austin13120439.10%Moniak, Mickey9514839.09%Abreu, Wilyer10917039.07%Alvarez, Francisco8313038.97%Perez, Salvador10716838.91%Hernández, Heriberto10316238.87%Lowe, Nathaniel21433738.84%Smith, Josh18929838.81%Durbin, Caleb15224038.78%Haggerty, Sam507938.76%Teel, Kyle10516638.75%India, Jonathan23437038.74%Wells, Austin12920438.74%Buxton, Byron13421238.73%Albies, Ozzie14623138.73%Springer, George18529338.70%Contreras, William21233638.69%Lukes, Nathan12319538.68%Duran, Jarren20532638.61%Crews, Dylan9014438.46%Hernaiz, Darell569038.36%Davis, Henry599538.31%Ramírez, José19030638.31%Montgomery, Colson6310238.18%Loftin, Nick589438.16%Suwinski, Jack8313538.07%Kjerstad, Heston386238.00%Bart, Joey11418638.00%Trammell, Taylor416737.96%Reynolds, Bryan20533537.96%Benintendi, Andrew13021337.90%Castro, Willi13021337.90%Smith, Pavin11418737.87%Mangum, Jake7312037.82%Moore, Christian599737.82%Turang, Brice22537037.82%Turner, Justin6210237.80%Meadows, Parker6510737.79%Tauchman, Mike13422137.75%Chapman, Matt19131637.67%Caratini, Victor11118437.63%Burleson, Alec13822937.60%Quero, Edgar12420637.58%McKinstry, Zach16928137.56%Lile, Daylen9215337.55%Moreno, Gabriel10116837.55%Goodman, Hunter11719637.38%Kepler, Max13322337.36%Story, Trevor14925037.34%Carroll, Corbin17729737.34%Grisham, Trent22938537.30%Paris, Kyren417036.94%Harper, Bryce10818636.73%d’Arnaud, Travis5810036.71%Schwarber, Kyle23039836.62%Heim, Jonah13022636.52%Fraley, Jake6311136.21%Wilson, Weston437636.13%Abrams, CJ15126736.12%Crawford, J.P.22940536.12%Arias, Gabriel9016036.00%Jones, Nolan13724435.96%Domínguez, Jasson10719235.79%Trout, Mike24744435.75%Raleigh, Cal15628135.70%Walker, Christian16129135.62%Wong, Connor488735.56%Monasterio, Andruw386935.51%Naylor, Josh10919835.50%Pauley, Graham509135.46%Gorman, Nolan13023735.42%Mullins, Cedric16329835.36%Soderstrom, Tyler16329835.36%Olson, Matt24044135.24%Ohtani, Shohei21739935.23%DeJong, Paul458434.88%Koss, Christian387134.86%Lowe, Josh10820234.84%Rojas, Josh6011334.68%Lowe, Brandon12122834.67%McMahon, Ryan19937734.55%Sweeney, Trey8215734.31%Tucker, Kyle17734034.24%Horwitz, Spencer13225434.20%Stowers, Kyle9819034.03%Scott II, Victor10320233.77%Hedges, Austin397733.62%Merrill, Jackson8116033.61%Gonzales, Nick7514933.48%Thaiss, Matt5911833.33%Butler, Lawrence17735733.15%Devers, Rafael19239932.49%Tovar, Ezequiel5111131.48%Wallner, Matt10623431.18%Acuña Jr., Ronald10924530.79%Varsho, Daulton5212030.23%Benson, Will5613030.11%Raley, Luke399329.55%Seager, Corey9225126.82%Muncy, Max6621923.16%

Shadow Zone Called-Strike Percentage For 2025 MLB Pitchers (Min. 100)

playercalled strikesballsSHADOW ZONE
CaLLED Strike %Rogers, Tyler1118257.51%Bender, Anthony977955.11%Bummer, Aaron1089154.27%Fisher, Braydon948353.11%Lauer, Eric17816252.35%Burnes, Corbin1059652.24%McLean, Nolan756952.08%Romero, JoJo10710151.44%Clarke, Taylor908551.43%Webb, Logan35433551.38%Bird, Jake999451.30%Bieber, Shane585650.88%Berríos, José27726850.83%Gray, Sonny30629750.75%Hendricks, Kyle27827250.55%Hancock, Emerson12111950.42%Romano, Jordan737350.00%Rodón, Carlos32833049.85%Bivens, Spencer12312449.80%Weissert, Greg10310449.76%Gausman, Kevin28628949.74%Leiter Jr., Mark808149.69%Warren, Will29830249.67%Woodford, Jake636449.61%De los Santos, Yerry636449.61%Herget, Jimmy11812049.58%Molina, Anthony535449.53%Topa, Justin10310549.52%Flaherty, Jack30330949.51%Boushley, Caleb939549.47%Garrett, Reed818349.39%Dubin, Shawn636549.22%Messick, Parker586049.15%Faucher, Calvin10110549.03%Ortiz, Luis L.16016748.93%Walker, Ryan10511048.84%Hart, Kyle768048.72%Thompson, Ryan565948.70%Milner, Hoby12513248.64%Bazardo, Eduard14515448.49%Bednar, David9510148.47%Gibson, Cade758048.39%Allen, Logan27028848.39%Assad, Javier566048.28%Borucki, Ryan525648.15%Olson, Reese11512448.12%Bachar, Lake11112048.05%Fluharty, Mason808747.90%Martin, Chris576247.90%Ashby, Aaron11412447.90%Lee, Chase657147.79%Jax, Griffin9710647.78%Bernardino, Brennan869447.78%Armstrong, Shawn10511547.73%Johnson, Pierce10211247.66%Freeland, Kyle23025347.62%Quintana, Jose22925247.61%Cleavinger, Garrett778547.53%Gallen, Zac33036647.41%Roupp, Landen20022247.39%Richardson, Lyon707847.30%Newcomb, Sean15717547.29%Buehler, Walker20122547.18%Yarbrough, Ryan9610847.06%Holton, Tyler10311647.03%Teng, Kai-Wei536046.90%Uribe, Abner11713346.80%Little, Brendon10211646.79%Francis, Bowden10812346.75%Morgan, David576546.72%Peralta, Freddy25829546.65%Alexander, Jason13115046.62%Gomber, Austin9611046.60%Alexander, Tyler15517846.55%Lucchesi, Joey677746.53%Houck, Tanner738446.50%Lugo, Seth24528246.49%Graceffo, Gordon728346.45%Herrin, Tim728346.45%Horton, Cade16919546.43%Evans, Logan12714746.35%Mattson, Isaac698046.31%deGrom, Jacob22526246.20%Alcantara, Sandy26130446.19%Kelly, Zack546346.15%Miller, Shelby607046.15%Kelly, Merrill27832546.10%King, John708246.05%Young, Brandon9911646.05%Ragans, Cole8610145.99%Maton, Phil9110745.96%Iglesias, Raisel8510045.95%Bassitt, Chris27732645.94%Taillon, Jameson18922345.87%Lee, Dylan9110845.73%Kittredge, Andrew647645.71%Junk, Janson13616245.64%Rea, Colin22927345.62%Rogers, Trevor15017945.59%Darvish, Yu10812945.57%Speier, Gabe779245.56%Santana, Dennis8710445.55%Holmes, Clay25430445.52%Hill, Tim667945.52%Jobe, Jackson8610345.50%Soriano, George607245.45%Sale, Chris18822645.41%Liberatore, Matthew22727345.40%Junis, Jakob10112245.29%Mazur, Adam485845.28%Ramírez, Yohan485845.28%Hurter, Brant9111045.27%Skubal, Tarik23928945.27%Peralta, Wandy9411445.19%Stroman, Marcus617445.19%Gaddis, Hunter8910845.18%Verlander, Justin22827745.15%King, Bryan10212445.13%Clase, Emmanuel597245.04%Seymour, Carson597245.04%Svanson, Matt9011045.00%Povich, Cade18022045.00%Yamamoto, Yoshinobu28334644.99%Burrows, Mike13917044.98%Beck, Tristan8510444.97%Keller, Brad10713144.96%Vargas, Carlos10212544.93%Sugano, Tomoyuki22928144.90%Smith, Cade9912244.80%Green, Chad607444.78%Whitlock, Garrett10713244.77%Henriquez, Ronny8510544.74%Hanifee, Brenan8911044.72%Muñoz, Andrés9311544.71%Eisert, Brandon9712044.70%Dobbins, Hunter9211444.66%Sánchez, Cristopher25832044.64%Cano, Yennier8710844.62%Garcia, Robert749244.58%King, Michael11013744.53%Cortes, Nestor698644.52%Kershaw, Clayton16220244.51%Montas, Frankie556944.35%Thielbar, Caleb749344.31%Pivetta, Nick25732344.31%Bibee, Tanner27134144.28%Schmidt, Clarke10413144.26%Springs, Jeffrey26933944.24%Mikolas, Miles21827544.22%Cecconi, Slade18723644.21%Kahnle, Tommy9512044.19%Adams, Travis536744.17%Barlow, Scott12115344.16%Lorenzen, Michael20325744.13%Hoffman, Jeff8210444.09%Garcia, Rico526644.07%Suárez, Ranger23229544.02%Koenig, Jared10313144.02%Kremer, Dean21727644.02%Pilkington, Konnor445644.00%Peterson, David25332343.92%Smith-Shawver, AJ648243.84%Nola, Aaron14919143.82%Estévez, Carlos8811343.78%Estrada, Jeremiah10113043.72%Sasaki, Roki526743.70%Brash, Matt698943.67%Carrasco, Carlos7910243.65%Cease, Dylan23029743.64%Zerpa, Angel11314643.63%Matz, Steven10613743.62%Lopez, Jacob12616343.60%Jacob, Alek476143.52%Quantrill, Cal17122243.51%McCullers Jr., Lance10713943.50%May, Dustin20626843.46%Abbott, Andrew23530643.44%Brown, Hunter27836343.37%Brown, Ben15320043.34%Canning, Griffin12316143.31%Ober, Bailey18123743.30%Scherzer, Max11615243.28%Walter, Brandon648443.24%Hamilton, Ian516743.22%Akin, Keegan8611343.22%Fulmer, Carson445843.14%Payamps, Joel445843.14%Baker, Bryan8811643.14%Allard, Kolby8811643.14%Hicks, Jordan12216143.11%Vest, Will10013243.10%DeSclafani, Anthony537043.09%Hader, Josh597843.07%Funderburk, Kody719443.03%Giolito, Lucas22129343.00%Vesia, Alex8010742.78%Ferguson, Tyler7710342.78%Cruz, Fernando689142.77%Winn, Cole537142.74%Alcala, Jorge8711742.65%Castillo, José466242.59%Matthews, Zebby10914742.58%Morejon, Adrian9713142.54%Morton, Charlie21128542.54%Woodruff, Brandon9412742.53%Mejia, Juan8811942.51%Williams, Trevor13918842.51%Megill, Trevor689242.50%Cabrera, Edward20427642.50%Lynch IV, Daniel10714542.46%Gonsolin, Tony537242.40%O’Brien, Riley7510242.37%Elder, Bryce23031342.36%Soto, Gregory8311342.35%Singer, Brady26536142.33%Fried, Max25534842.29%Montero, Keider13117942.26%Bello, Brayan23432042.24%Wentz, Joey14419742.23%Stanek, Ryne7610442.22%Kinley, Tyler9513042.22%Dreyer, Jack8411542.21%Williams, Devin8411542.21%Patrick, Chad14920442.21%Lively, Ben658942.21%Kelly, Kevin466342.20%Greene, Hunter11916342.20%Spence, Mitch9913642.13%Wilson, Steven8812142.11%Holderman, Colin456242.06%Schlittler, Cam9713441.99%García, Luis7610541.99%Henry, Cole8912341.98%Palmquist, Carson689441.98%Eovaldi, Nathan16222441.97%Rodríguez, Randy7310141.95%Corbin, Patrick22931741.94%Lodolo, Nick18425541.91%Pfaadt, Brandon25034841.81%Leahy, Kyle10214241.80%Ray, Robbie25235141.79%Rogers, Taylor8912441.78%Dollander, Chase14720541.76%Anderson, Tyler20027941.75%Houser, Adrian15922241.73%Doval, Camilo10314441.70%Ginn, J.T.14320041.69%Englert, Mason557741.67%Blackburn, Paul608441.67%Webb, Jacob7210141.62%Woo, Bryan22231241.57%Kerkering, Orion10815241.54%Weaver, Luke8512041.46%Gómez, Yoendrys9213041.44%Gordon, Colton11616441.43%Meyer, Max9413341.41%Hoglund, Gunnar486841.38%Strahm, Matt8411941.38%Pérez, Martín9112941.36%Arrighetti, Spencer557841.35%Domínguez, Seranthony8812541.31%Senzatela, Antonio20429041.30%Ogasawara, Shinnosuke649141.29%Cruz, Steven456441.28%Detmers, Reid9713841.28%Blalock, Bradley7510741.21%Rodriguez, Eduardo22732441.20%Severino, Luis24134441.20%Cabrera, Génesis568041.18%Kolek, Stephen15422041.18%López, Pablo10014341.15%Helsley, Ryan659341.14%Glasnow, Tyler13919941.12%Miller, Bryce11716841.05%Simpson, Josh557941.04%Okert, Steven8712541.04%Buttó, José8912841.01%Priester, Quinn20729840.99%Keller, Mitch23333640.95%Adam, Jason7611040.86%Walker, Taijuan18126240.86%Cavalli, Cade588440.85%Anderson, Grant9814240.83%Scott, Tanner6910040.83%Sands, Cole8912940.83%Valdez, Framber24936140.82%Gilbert, Tyler608740.82%Waddell, Brandon426140.78%Stewart, Brock426140.78%Bowlan, Jonathan558040.74%Ashcraft, Graham7210540.68%Finnegan, Kyle6910140.59%Schreiber, John8812940.55%Wheeler, Zack20129540.52%Thornton, Trent476940.52%Pérez, Eury11116340.51%Kelly, Michael649440.51%Brazobán, Huascar8111940.50%Luzardo, Jesús24335940.37%Williams, Gavin24035640.27%Palencia, Daniel629240.26%Suter, Brent9514140.25%Gordon, Tanner9914740.24%Casparius, Ben9914740.24%Lazar, Max537940.15%Coulombe, Danny598840.14%Chivilli, Angel7911840.10%Díaz, Edwin7911840.10%Rodríguez, Yariel8512740.09%Eflin, Zach9213840.00%Imanaga, Shota16124239.95%Kirby, George15723639.95%Mlodzinski, Carmen13520339.94%Bubic, Kris13520339.94%Castillo, Luis21031639.92%Morales, Luis598939.86%Bellozo, Valente10215439.84%Holmes, Grant14922539.84%Gilbert, Logan14321639.83%Sterner, Justin7411239.78%Wacha, Michael21732939.74%Phillips, Tyler9113839.74%Ferrer, Jose A.8713239.73%Schwellenbach, Spencer11717839.66%Wilson, Bryse659939.63%Megill, Tylor10315739.62%Baz, Shane21132239.59%Skenes, Paul23535939.56%Seymour, Ian7010739.55%Montero, Rafael8713339.55%Cantillo, Joey15223339.48%Brogdon, Connor609239.47%Ureña, José7311239.46%Pallante, Andre20731839.43%Soriano, José24437539.42%Chapman, Aroldis548339.42%Ryan, Joe23636339.40%Sears, JP18728839.37%Senga, Kodai15323639.33%Gore, MacKenzie21032439.33%Waldrep, Hurston7511639.27%Pomeranz, Drew629639.24%Banks, Tanner8012439.22%Festa, Matt568739.16%Pepiot, Ryan20732239.13%Ashcraft, Braxton7912339.11%Nelson, Ryne18428739.07%Abreu, Bryan9114239.06%Rocker, Kumar9214438.98%Flexen, Chris518038.93%Erceg, Lucas6810738.86%Rasmussen, Drew18629338.83%Uceta, Edwin8513438.81%Pressly, Ryan528238.81%Neris, Héctor457138.79%Boyd, Matthew19731238.70%Heaney, Andrew16926838.67%Festa, David6310038.65%Miller, Mason7311638.62%Gillispie, Connor396238.61%Paddack, Chris18329138.61%Bautista, Félix447038.60%Misiorowski, Jacob8814038.60%Vasil, Mike13221038.60%Lord, Brad16926938.58%Vásquez, Randy17928538.58%Rolison, Ryan548638.57%Mears, Nick599438.56%Long, Sam6410238.55%Fedde, Erick20232238.55%Leiter, Jack18930238.49%Oviedo, Johan508038.46%Myers, Tobias6510438.46%Suarez, Robert8012838.46%Gusto, Ryan14723638.38%Javier, Cristian467438.33%Parker, Mitchell22235838.28%Santillan, Tony8113138.21%Bradley, Taj17328038.19%Martinez, Nick22035738.13%Varland, Louis7712538.12%McGreevy, Michael11218238.10%Crochet, Garrett23638438.06%Gil, Luis7011438.04%Rutledge, Jackson10417037.96%Chafin, Andrew447237.93%Scott, Tayler508237.88%Civale, Aaron14323537.83%Hernández, Carlos6210237.80%Alvarado, Elvis487937.80%Shugart, Chase548937.76%Snell, Blake7412237.76%Treinen, Blake406637.74%Woods Richardson, Simeon14123337.70%Taylor, Grant498137.69%Ohtani, Shohei528637.68%Jansen, Kenley6410637.65%Cameron, Noah15826237.62%Fitts, Richard538837.59%Mahle, Tyler10918137.59%Falter, Bailey17729437.58%Manaea, Sean7412337.56%Booser, Cam457537.50%Mize, Casey16327237.47%Duran, Jhoan7612737.44%Strider, Spencer14924937.44%Birdsong, Hayden8614437.39%Vodnik, Victor7111937.37%Burke, Sean16728037.36%Márquez, Germán15225537.35%Boyle, Joe6911637.30%Jackson, Luke6010137.27%Ort, Kaleb579637.25%Legumina, Casey6410837.21%Kranick, Max396637.14%Nicolas, Kyle467837.10%Kochanowicz, Jack13723337.03%Blewett, Scott549236.99%Enns, Dietrich417036.94%Ross, Joe6511136.93%Zeferjahn, Ryan7713236.84%Martin, Davis15526636.82%Soroka, Michael11820336.76%Mey, Luis406936.70%Irvin, Jake24542436.62%Bergert, Ryan10818736.61%Ferguson, Caleb7513036.59%Harris, Hogan8414636.52%Melton, Troy468036.51%Burke, Brock7312736.50%Blanco, Ronel6210836.47%Leasure, Jordan7012236.46%Fermin, José478236.43%Yates, Kirby478236.43%Knack, Landon559636.42%Kikuchi, Yusei23140436.38%Cannon, Jonathan12021036.36%Pagán, Emilio6511436.31%Littell, Zack20736436.25%Hodge, Porter508836.23%Burns, Chase508836.23%Trivino, Lou6311136.21%Wrobleski, Justin7713636.15%Hernández, Daysbel569936.13%Fairbanks, Pete7313035.96%Sheehan, Emmet6912335.94%Weathers, Ryan397035.78%Weathers, Ryan397035.78%Montgomery, Mason5810535.58%Hall, DL488735.56%Beeks, Jalen539735.33%Reynolds, Sean427835.00%Latz, Jacob9317434.83%De Los Santos, Enyel7313734.76%Wilson, Justin5310034.64%Matsui, Yuki7113434.63%Banda, Anthony6612734.20%Smith, Shane16331634.03%Curtiss, John346733.66%Halvorsen, Seth438533.59%Perkins, Jack397933.05%Bido, Osvaldo8317332.42%Orze, Eric449232.35%Abel, Mick388231.67%Sousa, Bennett449631.43%Morillo, Juan347531.19%Hatch, Thomas347630.91%Salazar, Eduardo337730.00%

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(Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Southeastern Conference enters 2026 as the unquestioned standard-bearer for college baseball. Last spring, 13 of its 16 programs reached the NCAA Tournament, a record that reflected both the leagueâ€s depth and its sustained grip on the sport. LSU carried the banner all the way to Omaha, winning its second national title in three years and extending the SECâ€s streak of champions that dates back to 2019.

Against that backdrop, the conferenceâ€s coaches gathered this month to discuss the state of the game and issues shaping its future. Topics ranged from rule tweaks and player welfare to the ever-evolving balance of technology in dugouts.

Here is a look into those discussions and how they could shape SEC baseball—and the broader landscape of the sport—in the years ahead.

ABS Challenge System Gaining Traction

Across the country last fall, players experimented with the automated balls and strikes challenge system.

Pitchers tapped the tops of their caps, hitters tapped their helmets and catchers gestured behind the plate—all invoking technology to dispute an umpireâ€s call. For most programs it was less about competition than education, a chance to help players grow comfortable with a strike zone no longer subject solely to human interpretation.

One coach described it as simply making his hitters “more familiar with the strike zone.â€

But what once felt like a novelty is edging closer to permanence in college baseball. After trials in the minor leagues, spring training and the All-Star Game, MLB will be bringing its ABS challenge system online full-time in 2026. The SEC is already laying the groundwork to follow, though not on the same timeline.

“I have been vocal in saying that my ambition for us is to be in close follow when Major League Baseball implements that fully,†an SEC official told Baseball America. “We implemented the action clocks a year after Major League Baseball, so Iâ€ve used that as kind of the barometer for us for the ABS. When commissioner (Rob) Manfred said theyâ€re going to seek to start to employ that through the challenge system starting next year, 2026, for them, that caught my attention.â€

For the SEC, the target is 2027, though even that goal comes with caveats.

“Thatâ€s kind of the target date,†the official said. “But even standing here today in September 2025, I would tell you Iâ€m not naive. I think even thatâ€s ambitious for us, given the significant commitment to resources thatâ€s involved with that.â€

The official explained that the league is working to set up the foundation now, from the technology infrastructure to the logistics of training and implementation. But those steps will take time, and the runway is long. The target date of 2027 reflects both a desire to shadow MLBâ€s model and the recognition that the cost of outfitting stadiums, wiring broadcast feeds and retraining umpires will be substantial.

Itâ€s why the SECâ€s approach mirrors how it handled the introduction of the action clock in 2023—waiting a season to observe how the professional game adjusted, identifying pressure points and only then installing its own version with lessons already learned.

“I thought it was valuable for us to observe it at the major league level and to see what issues, if any, they identify, and kind of let them be the test case,†the official said. “And then for us to try to follow as soon as possible thereafter.â€

With MLB flipping the switch on ABS challenges for 2026, SEC ballparks could see the challenge system the following spring. Though the ambition is clear, the league is under no illusions: Adapting the game at college scale is a massive undertaking.

The First Base Bag Debate Continues

First base remains a point of contention.

The SEC has discussed whether to move from the double bag now in use to the larger “pizza box†base MLB adopted. Coaches see value in aligning the college game with the professional standard, but the path is complicated and highly unlikely to be uniform across the country based on conversations with SEC sources and several from outside the league.

Within the conference, there is reluctance to implement the bigger bag for conference games only, knowing teams would then toggle between two sets of rules in midweek and postseason play.Â

“If you want to call it experimental in which we employ for conference competition only, I think thatâ€s probably too much for our programs,†the SEC official said. “Is it feasible? Yes. Is it something that you want to do? Probably not.â€

The challenge is that while SEC schools could handle the cost and logistics of switching, many smaller programs may not.

One mid-major administrator told Baseball America it would cost in excess of $4,000 just to drill new holes in a turf field for the larger bag plus several more thousand dollars to adjust the bag locations at second and third. Even within Division I, resources vary enough that smaller conferences might not be able to keep up with those kinds of costs.

That disparity underscores a central tension in college baseball: the SECâ€s commitment to preparing players for pro ball by mirroring MLB standards vs. the broader NCAA ecosystem in which lower-budget Division I programs hold equal sway in rules decisions.

“It is a good illustration of the challenges that we face in this sport,†the official said. “Our players want to play 162 games a year at the next level. So, we try to take pride in preparing them as best as we can, including playing the game in the same type of way.â€

For now, the pizza box bag remains on the wish list rather than in the rulebook. Unless the NCAA moves toward uniform adoption—including at the tournament level—the SEC is hesitant to go it alone. But the conference has made clear that if consensus builds among power four leagues, it will push hard for the bigger base.

Pace Of Play Back On The Table

The SEC has prided itself on staying close to Major League Baseball when it comes to pace of play, but coaches were reminded this fall that progress is fragile. After three straight years of average conference games finishing under three hours, 2025 saw game times climb back to 3:10.

An SEC official said the trend concerned both the league and television partners.

“That three-hour line kind of seems arbitrary, but itâ€s actually pretty impactful,†the official noted.

The culprit, in part, is hitters gaming the action clock—stepping in with their heads turned and waiting until the countdown nears zero before engaging.

One proposal was to mirror MLBâ€s 15-second and 18-second pitch clocks. Coaches pushed back, arguing hitters need more control, but the league made clear that adjustments—either to clock rules or umpire instructions—could be coming.

“Weâ€ve got to figure out a way to curtail that,†the official said. “If a hitter gets in the box and they have enough time to just stand there and watch the clock tick down, that tells me thereâ€s too much time on the clock.â€

Exit Velocities On The Rise

One trend the SEC is keeping a close eye on is the continued climb in exit velocities across Division I baseball. Between 2022 and 2025, the average jumped from 82.5 mph to 86.1 mph, while 90th percentile averages have climbed from 96.5 mph to just under 102 mph to mark the first time the sportâ€s peak output has cracked triple digits in the data-tracking era.

Administrators and coaches in the SEC have discussed the issue, but no clear answers have emerged. The league is wary of calling it a safety problem yet acknowledges the trend is significant enough to monitor.Â

“Exit velocities in college baseball are objectively up right now,†an SEC official said. “Itâ€s something that weâ€re following and at least having conversation about ways in which that may be explored.â€

The likeliest starting point is the ball itself, but even that idea is at a very early stage. For now, the conversation remains just that—a conversation.

More Quick Hits

Roster Cuts On The Horizon

The SEC is helping coaches navigate the first mandatory roster declaration, which requires teams to be down to 34 players by Dec. 1. The timing is awkward, with the winter transfer portal window opening the very next day.Â

“Youâ€re going to declare your roster on one day and then the next day weâ€re going to invite the opportunity for anybody on that roster to enter into the portal,†an SEC official said. “It seems quite impractical and illogical, at least to me.â€

The league has encouraged coaches to step back and look at roster management holistically, recognizing how many overlapping dates—draft, portal windows and signing periods—now complicate the process.

Staff Size Flexibility

Baseball coaches want the same staff freedoms football and basketball recently received. Prior to the 2024 football season, the NCAA allowed analysts and other non-designated staffers to provide on-field instruction, eliminating what had become an archaic rule often ignored in practice. With staffs growing and more programs investing in analytical specialists, SEC coaches are lobbying for similar latitude.Â

As one official put it: “This is high-level competitive baseball—you should have the ability to put somebody out there. But because of these antiquated NCAA rules, youâ€re just hamstrung in what you can do.â€

Uncertainty Around New NCAA Committee

The NCAAâ€s new baseball oversight committee officially began work Sept. 1, but its role and influence remain unclear.Â

The SEC is pressing for clarity on how the group will operate, how it will be staffed and what authority it will carry in shaping the sport. Several coaches admitted they donâ€t yet understand its responsibilities, reflecting the uncertainty across the league.

“Thereâ€s a lot that needs to be addressed there,†an SEC official said. “Iâ€ve encouraged (coaches) to be pretty active and aggressive in asking those questions.â€

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Sep 23, 2025, 01:58 PM ET

NEW YORK — Robot umpires are getting called up to the big leagues next season.

Major League Baseball’s 11-man competition committee on Tuesday approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System in the major leagues in 2026.

Human plate umpires will still call balls and strikes, but teams can challenge two calls per game and get additional appeals in extra innings. Challenges must be made by a pitcher, catcher or batter — signaled by tapping their helmet or cap — and a team retains its challenge if successful. Reviews will be shown as digital graphics on outfield videoboards.

Adding the robot umps is likely to cut down on ejections. MLB said 61.5% of ejections among players, managers and coaches last year were related to balls and strikes, as were 60.3% this season through Sunday. The figures include ejections for derogatory comments, throwing equipment while protesting calls and inappropriate conduct.

Big league umpires call roughly 94% of pitches correctly, according to UmpScorecards.

ABS, which uses Hawk-Eye cameras, has been tested in the minor leagues since 2019. The independent Atlantic League trialed the system at its 2019 All-Star Game and MLB installed the technology for that’s year Arizona Fall League of top prospects. The ABS was tried at eight of nine ballparks of the Low-A Southeast League in 2021, then moved up to Triple-A in 2022.

At Triple-A at the start of the 2023 season, half the games used the robots for ball/strike calls and half had a human making decisions subject to appeals by teams to the ABS.

MLB switched Triple-A to an all-challenge system on June 26, 2024, then used the challenge system this year at 13 spring training ballparks hosting 19 teams for a total of 288 exhibition games. Teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges (617 of 1,182) challenges.

At Triple-A this season, the average challenges per game increased to 4.2 from 3.9 through Sunday and the success rate dropped to 49.5% from 50.6%. Defenses were successful in 53.7% of challenges this year and offenses in 45%.

In the first test at the big league All-Star Game, four of five challenges of plate umpire Dan Iassogna’s calls were successful in July.

Teams in Triple-A do not get additional challenges in extra innings. The proposal approved Tuesday included a provision granting teams one additional challenge each inning if they don’t have challenges remaining.

MLB has experimented with different shapes and interpretations of the strike zone with ABS, including versions that were three-dimensional. Currently, it calls strikes solely based on where the ball crosses the midpoint of the plate, 8.5 inches from the front and the back. The top of the strike zone is 53.5% of batter height and the bottom 27%.

This will be MLB’s first major rule change since sweeping adjustments in 2024. Those included a pitch clock, restrictions on defensive shifts, pitcher disengagements such as pickoff attempts and larger bases.

The challenge system introduces ABS without eliminating pitch framing, a subtle art where catchers use their body and glove to try making borderline pitches look like strikes. Framing has become a critical skill for big league catchers, and there was concern that full-blown ABS would make some strong defensive catchers obsolete. Not that everyone loves it.

“The idea that people get paid for cheating, for stealing strikes, for moving a pitch that’s not a strike into the zone to fool the official and make it a strike is beyond my comprehension,” former manager Bobby Valentine said.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy, a big league catcher from 1978 to ’87, maintained that old-school umpires such as Bruce Froemming and Billy Williams never would have accepted pitch framing. He said they would have told him: “‘If you do that again, you’ll never get a strike.’ I’m cutting out some words.”

Management officials on the competition committee include Seattle chairman John Stanton, St. Louis CEO Bill DeWitt Jr., San Francisco chairman Greg Johnson, Colorado CEO Dick Monfort, Toronto CEO Mark Shapiro and Boston chairman Tom Werner.

Players include Arizona’s Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen, Detroit’s Casey Mize, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and the New York Yankees’ Austin Slater, with the Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ as an alternate. The union representatives make their decisions based on input from players on the 30 teams.

Bill Miller is the umpire representative.

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(Photo by Caitlin O’Hara/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

With MLBâ€s competition committee expected to approve the automated ball-strike challenge system on Tuesday, itâ€s a good time to explain both how ABS works and clear up some of its misconceptions.

BREAKING: Major League Baseball will use the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) during the entire 2026 season

ABS CHALLENGE RULES:

– Each team will get two challenges and can keep them if they’re successful

– Challenges can only be initiated by a pitcher, catcher, or… pic.twitter.com/xHkRIbHrRx

— MLB (@MLB) September 23, 2025

With Baseball America’s staff covering both the minor leagues and the Arizona Fall League, we have seen the ABS system in action for a number of years now. And weâ€ve had numerous conversations with coaches, players and even umpires who have experienced it in action.

In our experience, much like the pitch clock system, the ABS challenge system can best be described as a change that largely fades into the background before long. Itâ€s there, but you can go innings before being reminded that it exists.

Based on our years spent watching ABS games, here are some myths and misconceptions that are worth clearing up.

Dispelling 6 Myths About Automated Ball-Strike Challenges

Myth No. 1: Youâ€ll See A Lot Of Challenges

The number of ABS challenges each team has is quite limited. In Triple-A, it was three per team in 2023 and 2024 before being reduced to two in 2025.

However, that number is perhaps better described as being two incorrect challenges per team. If a team challenges a pitch successfully, they get another challenge. So, if an umpire is having a very bad day, a team could keep challenging pitches as long as they keep challenging successfully.

Of course, that doesnâ€t happen very often. On average, there were 4.2 ABS challenges out of the roughly 290 pitches thrown per Triple-A game in 2025.

Myth No. 2: ABS Challenges Will Make Games Longer

For 2024 and 2025, Triple-A has used an ABS system that is expected to be very similar to the new MLB system. This is a good thing for those fans worried the challenge system will eat into the progress made in shortening the length of games.

Consider that the average Triple-A game time in 2025 was 2:44. In 2023, when there was a hybrid system (full ABS in some games and challenge system in others), the average game time was 2:42. In 2022, the final year before any ABS experimentation in Triple-A, the average game time was 2:43.

In other words, the ABS challenge system hasnâ€t really affected game time in Triple-A.

That’s because the challenge system is designed to be extremely quick. Fans used to lengthy in-game replay delays are likely to be pleasantly surprised by how quickly decisions are made. This is a system in which no one gets to stop and think for a while before deciding whether to challenge. And once a challenge is initiated, itâ€s resolved within seconds. There are no calls back to a main office in New York or referees going under the hood to watch video.

Yes, the process takes about 10-15 seconds per challenge. But it also eliminates some of the arguments that often arose from players and coaches unhappy about pitch calls. With roughly four challenges per game, thatâ€s an extra 40-60 seconds. Any ejections or lengthy arguments that arose from strike zone disputes took much longer than that.

All in all, the time added by the ABS challenge system has proven to be negligible.

Myth No. 3: ABS Challenges Make Catcher Framing Obsolete

If MLB ever adopted a system in which all pitches were called by the automated strike zone, catcher framing would immediately become meaningless. There’s no denying that. It would result in all types of odd adjustments, as a catcherâ€s only real job as a receiver in that scenario would be to keep the ball in front of them and be ready to throw out basestealers. Even blocking the home plate umpireâ€s view in getting ready to throw would be inconsequential (except in the case of foul tips).

But this isnâ€t that.

In the ABS challenge system, more than 98% of pitches will still be called by the home plate umpire. Getting borderline strikes called will continue to have real value, both in the case of forcing the opposing team to use up challenges and in the many more instances in which they will decide not to challenge.

Similarly, a team with poor framing catcher who canâ€t get borderline calls may be forced to use or burn challenges on pitches that are called balls.

Myth No. 4: The ABS Challenge System Will Affect Hitters And Pitchers Equally

Simply put, the challenge system will be tougher for pitchers.

MLB has always been a tougher test than Triple-A, but for pitchers jumping from Double-A to Triple-A, the ABS challenge system has often proven to be a whole new world. Pitches that were getting called strikes regularly in Double-A (and often getting chase swings from hitters) were being spit at for balls in Triple-A.

As one Triple-A pitcher described it, there’s “a mentality shift” when it comes to pitching under the ABS challenge system.

“My first outing in Triple-A, I noticed right away how much more patient hitters were,” the pitcher told Baseball America. “I was throwing pitches just off the plate that normally get swings, and here they were taking them.

“At first, it was frustrating. Iâ€d come into the dugout asking where that pitch was, and sure enough, it was a ball. That made me realize I had to be better. I donâ€t know if it was the jump from Double-A to Triple-A or just the quality of hitters, but you quickly figure out youâ€ve got to go for in-zone whiffs instead of just chases, because these hitters know the zone so well.”

Myth No. 5. Cheating The System Will Be Easy

The speed with which challenges must be implemented is vital to making this system work. Coaches arenâ€t allowed to challenge pitches—only a hitter, pitcher or catcher can call for a challenge. The challenge has to be called for extremely quickly after the ball/strike call is made.

The idea behind this is to ensure that no player receives outside feedback before making a challenge. For example, a batter doesnâ€t get time to step out and think it over or look to the dugout for guidance. When the pitch is called, a player either taps his head or he doesn’t. The window to challenge the pitch closes just as fast as it opened.

On top of that, MLB purposefully delays pitch location information for a few seconds for games using the challenge system. To even start to try to cheat the system, a team would need to go through the trouble of engineering their own pitch-tracking system that perfectly matches the system MLB is using and then find a way to relay that information to players in a split-second.

No system is foolproof, but attempts to cheat the ABS challenge system would be difficult, to say the least.

Myth No. 6: Full Robot Umps Are Coming Soon

MLB has been experimenting with full ABS systems in games since 2019, when the Atlantic League adopted it in consultation with MLB. It has tried them in the Florida State League, as well as in Triple-A.

In every case, MLB decided to end the experiment. Full ABS systems have never seemed to provide exactly the strike zone everyone wanted to see. And time after time, the ABS challenge system was found to be preferable.

So far, feedback MLB has received from players, coaches, umpires and front offices has been a preference for the challenge system.

“The ABS system (without the challenges) is very boring,” said Robert Stock, who pitched under the ABS system for Triple-A Worcester and Nashville. “But adding in the challenges adds an element of skill (strike zone knowledge) and puts it at the forefront of the game.”

MLB has long used the minors to ensure that any issues with rules changes are discovered and fixed before the system comes to MLB. That was true with pitch clocks, shift restrictions, larger bases, liberalized base stealing rules and other more minor tweaks. As such, it’s notable that MLB is not using or experimenting with a full ABS system anywhere at this time. If a full ABS system was to be implemented in the major leagues, it almost certainly would be used in the minors first. And again, MLB tried that already and then killed their full ABS testing, replacing them with the challenge system.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has mentioned on multiple occasions that a full ABS system would create ripple effects for players, teams and umpires.

He and others within MLB have noted that, given a choice, a modest change that also manages to ensure the most egregious missed calls are overturned is preferable to a system that devalues certain current players.

For instance, top framers like Giants catcher Patrick Bailey would see their value as a catcher plummet immediately. The best home plate umpires would also see a skill they have developed over decades rendered meaningless.

“I think the ABS system has its ups and downs, but overall itâ€s good for the game because it keeps everyone accountable,” said a Triple-A pitcher with experience under the challenge system. “Yeah, it takes away some of the catcherâ€s framing, but having a consistent zone makes sure pitches are called right or wrong without all the gray area. You see big league games flipped by missed calls, and thatâ€s where having a clear answer really matters.

“Thereâ€s some strategy with the challenges, and as a pitcher, you definitely go through a little adjustment period on pitches you think are strikes. But the zone stays pretty fair. And when umpires get overturned and have to announce it to the whole stadium, that adds a whole new layer of accountability too. At the end of the day, being able to fix those big calls is a huge plus for the game.”

5 New Realities With ABS

Ok, so we know the ABS challenge system won’t destroy the very fabric of baseball as we know it. But there will be changes that come with it, too, just as there are with any change. Here are some new realities that weâ€ve seen in Triple-A.

1. It Will Be Harder To Get Called Strikes

The adoption of ABS has meant that, for the past several years, the Triple-A strike zone has been very challenging for pitchers. Pitches on the border of the zone that may induce an umpire in the majors to call a strike are consistently called balls in Triple-A.

The challenge system gives umpires constant feedback on whatâ€s a ball and whatâ€s a strike. No one wants to be consistently proven wrong on the jumbo video screen, so umpires quickly adapted.

“The zone in Triple-A is actually smaller than in the big leagues, so the mentality has to be filling it up and still finding swing-and-miss,†added the Triple-A pitcher.

However, as those adjustments have been coming to the MLB zone, the changes are getting much smaller. The number of called strikes in the shadow zone at the MLB level has dropped from 46.4% in 2024 to 42.2% in 2025. In Triple-A, the called strike rate on pitches in the shadow zone has hovered around 44% for the past three years.

2. There’s A Strategy To Challenging Pitches

From what we’ve seen in ABS challenge system testing, a bad call on a 1-0 or 0-1 pitch often doesnâ€t get challenged. Even a borderline call late in the count of early innings will often go unchallenged because teams donâ€t want to use up all their challenges too quickly.

In 2025, there were 650 called strikes that went unchallenged on pitches that were in the “chase†and “waste†zones, while there were three pitches called balls on pitches right in the middle of the zone. All were pitches that would have undoubtedly been overturned if challenged, but the pitching team decided it didnâ€t want to risk a challenge.

Teams also have to establish a strategy about who gets to initiate challenges. As noted above, only catchers, pitchers and hitters are allowed to make a challenge. In Triple-A, weâ€ve heard stories of hitters who have been told to never challenge pitches because they are so bad at it. Some teams want the catcher to be responsible for challenges instead of the pitcher.

Hypothetically, a player with a bad sense of the strike zone can burn through the entire teamâ€s allotment of challenges in a single at-bat without some guardrails.

“Early in a game, if a catcher isnâ€t absolutely sure, theyâ€re not going to burn one,” said the Triple-A pitcher. “You might need that in a 4-3 game in the ninth.”

Because of that, players with the best strike zone knowledge may be at a strategic advantage.

“Itâ€s going to be very fun to see which players have good strike zone knowledge,” Stock said. “For instance, does Juan Soto have immaculate knowledge of the zone? Or is he just really good at taking anything close, both balls and strikes alike? I canâ€t wait to find out.”

3. Expect Less Arguing Over Calls

The constant back-and-forth between hitters, catchers and pitchers trying to work the umpire and complain about questionable calls fades away when an ABS system is in effect.

If a player thinks the umpire blew the call, he can just challenge it. Within 10 seconds, thereâ€s an answer. If the player was right, the call is overturned and the game continues. If the player was wrong, the umpireâ€s call is confirmed and the player has no further reason to complain. Itâ€s hard to carry a grudge from a call in the fourth inning into your next at-bat if you had the means of correcting it and you didnâ€t feel convinced enough to challenge the call.

“Thereâ€s 99% less (complaining) from the dugouts about the strike zone,” Stock said. “If you donâ€t like a call, then challenge it. And Iâ€m sure itâ€s humbling for a player to really miss a call by a large margin.â€

4. Challenges Add Drama To The Game

One entertaining side effect of the way the ABS system is used is that it gets fans involved, too, as they see the decision made at the same time as the players and umpires. Once the pitcher, catcher or hitter taps their head, the umpire stands up and announces that the pitch has been challenged.

At that point, everyone turns to watch the jumbo video screen in the outfield. The animation shows the pitch come in, and only when it crosses the plate do you see the pitchâ€s location. Sometimes, the call is so borderline that it takes a moment to realize whether the pitch nicked the strike zone or not.

In general, crowds seem to enjoy the drama of the moment. Because there are few challenges, it doesnâ€t get repetitive, but in a crucial moment, itâ€s a nerve-wracking few seconds in which everyone in the crowd (and on both teams) waits to see the answer unveiled in real time.

If that’s an exciting thing to see play out during a Tuesday game in April, just imagine the drama when a crucial strike three call gets put up on the jumbotron in the late innings of a winner-takes-all postseason game.

5. The ABS Challenge System Reinforces How Good Umpires Are

Every now and then in Triple-A, you will see a challenge on a clearly blown call. But much more often, though, challenges come on pitches that have either grazed the corner of the zone or just missed it. Iâ€ve personally witnessed challenges in Triple-A for which I needed to be told if the pitch was a ball or a strike after the pitch location was shown up on the big screen—thatâ€s how close to the edge of the zone a pitch can be.

Many of these calls are being made on pitches that either miss or touch the strike zone by the narrowest of margins. While the ABS system is designed to ensure that an egregiously bad call doesnâ€t affect the game, it also ends up showing just how talented the game’s top-tier pitchers, catchers, hitters and umpires are.

(Geoff Pontes contributed to this story)

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