MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike System: Early Results and 2026 Implementation
Major League Baseball is moving forward with the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, aiming to enhance accuracy and strategy in the sport. The system was tested during Spring Training games in February 2026, providing a first seem at its performance in a live game environment.
ABS in Action: Spring Training 2026
During the first slate of Spring Training games on February 21, 2026, a total of 23 challenges were made across five Cactus and Grapefruit League games, averaging 4.6 challenges per game. A significant 56.5% of those challenges – 13 calls in total – were successful, resulting in overturned calls.
Team Performance
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies saw the most action with the ABS challenge system, combining for seven challenges, with six being successful. The Diamondbacks led the way with four successful challenges out of five attempts, the most of any team on Friday. The Rockies were perfect, going 2-for-2 on their challenges.
The Baltimore Orioles were the only team that did not issue a challenge during the first day of games. The Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Kansas City Royals were also the only teams that did not have a successful challenge.
T-Mobile’s Role in ABS Technology
The ABS Challenge System is powered by T-Mobile’s 5G network technology. T-Mobile is offering a free season-long MLB.TV subscription to its customers for the 2026 season, providing fans with access to games utilizing the new system.
MLB.TV Streaming Options in 2026
ESPN has acquired the rights to sell MLB.TV, offering fans more flexibility in how they consume baseball broadcasts. In-market, blackout-free streaming subscriptions are available for 21 of MLB’s 30 clubs. MLB.TV and the MLB App remain streaming options for subscribers, with select Spring Training games available to stream for free with a valid MLB.com account.
The 21 clubs offering in-market streaming subscriptions without blackouts are: Arizona Diamondbacks, Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers (subscriptions available at a later date), Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, and Washington Nationals.
Free MLB.TV Subscription with T-Mobile
T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and Home Internet customers can claim a free MLB.TV subscription (valued at $150+) through the T-Life app, expected to launch in late March 2026, around Opening Day. Details on the T-Mobile offer are available online.
Additional MLB Streaming and Broadcast News
Major League Baseball has formed new media rights agreements with ESPN, NBC Universal, and Netflix. Netflix will broadcast an Opening Night game and the Home Run Derby for the next three years. More information on the MLB-Netflix partnership can be found on the Netflix website.