Early returns from MLB's ABS era: Fans like it, Mike Trout is good at it, and we've seen our first robo-ejection
Here are a few takeaways from the first few days of the ABS era.
The robots are here, and they are a hoot. MLB’s new automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system was the star of opening weekend, the main character in the first scene of this baseball season. Prior to Opening Day, we’d seen ABS in the minor leagues, in spring training, even in the All-Star Game, but this is a different beast.
Now the games actually matter. That provided moments both predictable and unforeseen this weekend, including an ABS-related ejection, a standing ovation, rules confusion and a whole lot of head-tapping. Here are a few takeaways from the first days of the ABS era.
Positive response from fans Through the season’s first series, fans, particularly those inside stadiums, seemed to like the setup. That is, far and away, the most important outcome from opening weekend. MLB’s stated objective in implementing ABS was to “provide players with an opportunity to correct missed calls in high-leverage moments in a manner that fans like.
” Making the challenge process clear, swift and intuitive was always going to be the league’s biggest ... well ... challenge.
Continue to the original source for the full article.