Players Call for MLB to Avoid Drastic Rule Change
Major League Baseball fans have spent the past three months demanding the league adopt the Automated Ball-Strike System, perhaps as early as this year's postseason.
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We know how the fans and social media users feel, but what about the players themselves?
Great question. The Athletic published a player poll on Wednesday, asking 134 respondents if they're in favor of 'robo-umps' calling balls and strikes. Surprisingly, 63.4% said they're against having technology dictate what is and is not a strike.
'If the umpires leave the game,' an AL starting pitcher said, 'I don't want to be a part of it.'
Added a National League pitcher: 'Why would you remove the human element? The game will fundamentally change in a way that fans are definitely not going to like.'
MLB umpire Shane Livensparger (43) and New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón (55) discuss a call on June 6, 2025John Jones-Imagn Images
More players said that they were unsure (19.4%) about the ABS than they were in favor (17.2%) of the change.
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Social media accounts like @UmpireAuditor and @UmpScorecards use data to hold umpires accountable. The @UmpireAuditor page found that umpires blew 954 calls, including 52 strikeouts, from June 2-8.
As is typically the case in player polls, none of the players quoted were named. All quotes were anonymous, allowing players to express their concerns about the ABS and its potential impact.
Some players, naturally, cited the strike zone itself.
'I used it years ago when I was in the Fall League,' a hitter recalled. 'Guys would bounce curveballs that somehow nicked the zone. It hit the plate, but it's a strike somehow?'
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Others suggested that the ABS could hurt catchers, especially those who rely on their glove and framing ability to stick around.
'That's our food, stealing strikes,' one catcher said.
Several players even defended umpires, the same ones with whom they clash over controversial calls.
'When that guy's having a good game and we're on the same page and everything's clicking, that's [expletive] baseball,' one NL pitcher said. 'We don't need a freaking robot.'
Related: Outraged Fans Call for Umpire Jordan Baker's Firing After Blue Jays-Twins Game
Related: Fans Outraged at Umpire Over Calls in Phillies-Athletics
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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