Home Run for Robots

Robot umpires will take the field at Major League Baseball (MLB) games next season. MLB has approved the Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS) for use in the major leagues beginning in 2026.

The system uses Hawk-Eye cameras, which track a ball’s trajectory. The cameras can determine whether a ball was in the official strike zone. They’ve been tested in minor leagues since 2019.

Does this mean human umpires are out of a job? No! Human plate umpires will still call balls and strikes. But the new system will allow each team to challenge two calls per game. For example, an umpire might call a strike. But the batter might argue that the pitch wasn’t in the strike zone. ABS footage can then be used to determine if the umpire’s call was correct. If that challenge were successful, the batter would get another pitch.

The Associated Press reports that the robot umpires could cut down on ejections. These occur when an umpire removes a player or coach from the game. Many ejections are related to disputed calls. If players can formally challenge calls, it could lead to more-respectful behavior on the field.

“I love it. I loved it in spring training,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson says, adding that the system “keeps everybody accountable.”

Stop and Think!

WHOM did the author quote in the story? If you could hear from more sources, who would they be, and why?

We’ve got robots on the brain! We’re looking for responses to our next TFK Debate: Would you trust a robot dentist? Email your opinion to tfkeditors@time.com by October 2 for the chance to be published in TIME for Kids.