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Boston Globe
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Players 1, umpires 0: Cubs hurler Cody Poteet makes first ABS challenge in spring training and wins
'I felt like there was a good, high-percentage chance it was a strike,' Poteet said. 'And every strike matters.' The first test of the Advertisement Poteet played in Triple A for part of last season, which is where the ABS system was tested, so he was used to the process and laughed at his minor place in baseball history. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'Using it a little last year, it felt more normal,' the pitcher said. 'It's cool to be the one to fire away.' Muncy couldn't blame Poteet for challenging the umpire's call. He thought it was a strike, too. 'I look out and the pitcher seemed very excited to challenge that one,' Muncy said, grinning. 'When he challenged it, I knew it would be overturned and was like 'Aw, man, I'm going to be the first one.' ' Robot umpires have arrived in the big leagues, at least in exhibition games. The Cubs and World Series champion Dodgers opened the spring training schedule with an added wrinkle: Camelback Ranch is among the test sites for the ABS, which could be used in big league regular-season games as soon as 2026. Human umpires still call every pitch, but each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game, with no additions for extra innings. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and Advertisement Only a batter, pitcher, or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap. Assistance from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within two seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone will be shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the updated count. MLB estimates the process averages 17 seconds. The Cubs and Dodgers opened this year's spring training schedule earlier than the other 28 teams because they're playing each other in Tokyo to open the regular season on March 18-19. There will be five games on Friday before all teams get started this weekend. The Dodgers played a few of their regulars in the opener, including shortstop Mookie Betts, third baseman Max Muncy, and right fielder Teoscar Hernández. Yoshinobu Yamamoto started on the mound Yamamoto threw 1⅔ scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out two. He threw 19 of 27 pitches for strikes. Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani was not in the lineup as he continues to recover from MLB has installed the ABS system in 13 spring training ballparks that are home to 19 teams — 10 in Arizona and nine in Florida. Advertisement AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. Red Sox spring training: Devers refuses to yield to Bregman Share Rafael Devers wants to play third base. Alex Bregman has a Gold Glove. Beat Reporter Julian McWilliams says something has to give.
USA Today
21-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ABS challenge system early hit as it makes MLB debut in Dodgers-Cubs spring training game
ABS challenge system early hit as it makes MLB debut in Dodgers-Cubs spring training game Show Caption Hide Caption Johnny Damon says Dodgers will win World Series again in 2025 Johnny Damon explains why he thinks the Dodgers and Yankees are bound for a rematch, but why the former is an easy choice to win again. Sports Seriously PHOENIX — Baseball Hall of Fame president Josh Rawitch was on hand Thursday, but didn't ask for any artifacts for the museum. Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet and Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy didn't hand over their jerseys to any authenticators, pose for any pictures together, or even autograph a baseball. History was made Thursday with the first use of the automated ball-strike challenge system during the spring training game between the Cubs and Dodgers in front of 10,959 fans at Camelback Ranch. Poteet and Muncy will forever be immortalized in ABS history; the former the first major-league pitcher to make a challenge, with Muncy becoming the first big-league player to be victimized by a challenge. Yet, the only ones actually celebrating on this glorious 75-degree day were MLB executive vice president Morgan Sword, who was on hand along with other MLB executives, and veteran umpire Tony Randazzo behind the plate. The challenge system, which even included iPads in each dugout for players to voice their complaints if desired, couldn't have gone better. There were only two challenges the entire game. One successful challenge. And zero complaints. 'Everything worked well on Day 1,'' Sword said. 'A good first step.'' Any glitches at all? 'None,'' Sword said. Instant success ... at least for a day. The historic moment, if you want to call it that, occurred in the bottom of the first inning when Poteet faced Muncy. He threw a 95-mph fastball that clipped the bottom of the zone on an 0-1 pitch, but it was called a ball. Poteet was convinced it was a strike and immediately challenged. The pitch was shown on the scoreboard, and in a matter of seconds, the call was immediately overturned. The Cubs retained their challenge. And history was made. 'It's cool to be the one to fire away,'' Poteet said, surrounded by reporters. 'I wasn't shy about it for sure.'' The Dodgers couldn't help but laugh at the irony that Muncy was the victim of the first challenge. Manager Dave Roberts said before the game that anyone on the team would be permitted to challenge a call with a lone exception: Muncy. 'I told Muncy not to challenge,'' Roberts said. 'He's our biggest culprit of not agreeing with the strike zone, so I said, 'Save your challenges.'" Said Muncy: 'Freddie (Freeman) said I was banned from being able to challenge. I came in here and he's waiting at my locker and laughing in my face that I was the one that got a challenge on. … It's funny how it worked out that I was the one that got challenged on.'' Yet, there was no argument by Muncy. He knew it was a strike before it was shown on the right-field scoreboard. 'I was pretty positive it was a strike,'' Muncy said. 'He called it, and I look out, and the pitcher looked very excited to challenge that one. I knew it was going to get overturned.'' Poteet, of course, had an advantage. He has spent most of his 10-year professional career in the minors. He knows how the system works. 'Using it a little bit last year,'' Poteet said, 'I guess it felt normal.'' Really, the Dodgers and Cubs said afterwards, nothing felt out of the ordinary. Roberts, who said before the game that he hadn't made a decision on whether he'd be a fan, jumped on the bandwagon after the game. 'It was good,'' Roberts said. 'I think it's actually a pretty good system. Obviously, trying to figure out how many challenges make the most sense in a major-league ballgame. … 'But I like it, especially in a big spot you want to get the call right.'' The operation was so smooth on Thursday that fans and scouts in the stands didn't even flinch. If there are no hiccups this spring, MLB may adapt it as early as the 2026 season for regular-season and postseason games. It could be around forever, just like instant replay is here to stay. The ultimate decision will be made by MLB's competition committee, but union chief Tony Clark and the players hope they listen to their voice. 'We're the ones with our livelihood, and our careers are being affected by it,'' Dodgers veteran outfielder Michael Conforto said. 'So hopefully we have a say whatever happens. I know there's a competition committee, and a group that's making decisions, but it's a pretty drastic move. It's a pretty big change in the game. 'We have to be really thoughtful about how it's going to work.'' It could certainly provide an influx of jobs for folks in analytic departments. They'll be jamming algorithms in their computers to determine the most advantageous time to ask for a challenge, along with who is and isn't permitted to seek a challenge. 'There's definitely going to be an analytics deep-dive in the best situations to do it,'' Conforto said. 'It opens up a new area of the game. Can you use it only with men on? Men in scoring position? After the fifth inning? After the seventh? You don't want to leave anything on the table.'' But Conforto can save the Dodgers a whole lot of time and energy: Here's who'll be permitted to challenge in a game. 'Shohei (Ohtani), Freddie (Freeman) and Mookie (Betts) can challenge as much as they want,'' Conforto says. 'That's fair. If you're headed to the Hall of Fame, you get to use it.'' No one is going to rush to any conclusions quite yet, with this being the first game of the spring and with ABS being tested in 13 different ballparks in Arizona and Florida. Teams are permitted just two challenges, only by the pitcher, catcher or hitter. And the challenge must be made immediately without any assistance from the dugout or any other player on the field. If you challenge and you're wrong, you lose a challenge. If you challenge and you're right, you retain the challenge, just like the way instant replay works. 'There will be a little give and take,'' says Dodgers pitcher Michael Grove, who has pitched part of the past four seasons in the minors, 'but I'm sure everyone will hate it.'' Grove laughed, but was curious to see how it differs from the minors to the big leagues. 'It's going to be interesting to see if the veterans like it or not,'' Grove said. 'I thought it was OK, but Triple-A is a little different because they change the zones a little bit. They shaved off a little bit up and down, which I didn't love. But the challenge system is weird because you can blow through all of those, and people get frustrated in the first inning. 'So, there's some strategy involved. If you're using one in the first inning, you better be adamant.'' Poteet agreed, saying he challenged it in the first inning only because he had no doubt he was right. Yet, if it were the first inning of a real game, well, maybe there could be a little hesitation. 'I don't know all the strategy that would go all into it in a nine-inning, big-league game,'' Poteet said, 'but I felt like there was a good, high percentage it was a strike, and I feel like every strike matters.'' So, he would do the same if he were pitching for the Cubs under manager Craig Counsell, who sarcastically pumped his fist towards Sword and two other MLB officials after Poteet's successful challenge? 'I'm sure the manager and whoever's coaching the team,'' Poteet said, 'will set some standards for guys.'' Well, maybe one day, but for now, Counsell says he's not going to waste any time talking strategy until it's actually implemented. ''It's a test for some future, unknown thing,'' Counsell said Wednesday. ''So, it's a little hard to put your head in and really prepare for it when there's enough that we've got to get ready for.'' But get ready. It's coming, and soon. 'I'm in favor of it,'' Dodgers infielder/outfielder Kike' Hernandez said. 'There's definitely more balls that are called strikes than strikes that are called balls.'' Says Conforto: 'It'll be real interesting to see who's going to adapt to it quicker? Do the pitchers have the same zone every day? Since hitters have their own personal zone, is it going to be the same every single day? 'I think everyone is wondering who gets the biggest advantage. That'll tell you who's for it and who's against it.'' Follow Nightengale on X: @BNightengale
Chicago Tribune
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Justin Turner's arrival at Chicago Cubs camp takes center stage. ‘We intend on being good this year.'
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Why would anyone want to continue playing baseball at age 40? For newly signed Chicago Cubs infielder Justin Turner, the answer was simple. Turner said he loves the game and still feels he can compete. As long as a major-league team believed he could still contribute, there was no reason to retire. 'I feel like I'm a student of the game,' he told a group of reporters Thursday morning at Cubs camp in Mesa. 'I'm curious, always trying to learn new things, always trying to understand what makes guys tick. If I can apply that to what I can do to help make me better, I'm addicted to it.' That addiction led to Turner signing a one-year, $6 million deal with the Cubs that was made official Thursday during the Cubs' 12-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers before 10,959 in the Cactus League opener at Camelback Ranch. Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet made history in the first inning, becoming the first player to challenge the ABS (automated balls-strikes) system that's being implemented for the first time in major-league games. Poteet's challenge on an 0-1 fastball away to Max Muncy in the first inning was ruled a ball. After a review of the 'robo-ump,' it was changed to a strike. Manager Craig Counsell pretended to be excited in the dugout, though in reality he was not all that interested in the ABS system, which won't be used in the regular season. 'It's cool I guess to be the one to fire away,' Poteet said of his historic challenge. 'I wasn't shy with it for sure.' The Cubs took only one regular position player — first baseman Michael Busch — to Camelback Ranch and will play several starters Friday at home, including Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Either way, Turner's arrival took center stage at Cubs camp, thanks to his reputation as a pure hitter and clubhouse presence. Fans may still think of Tuner as a Cubs killer from the Dodgers, thanks to his walk-off home run off John Lackey in Game 2 of the 2017 National League Championship Series, earning him co-MVP honors. No one knew it at the time, but that win, which gave the Dodgers a 2-0 series lead, basically ended the Cubs' chances of a long reign. They have not won a postseason series since. When I asked Turner about his bomb off Lackey, he laughed and said: 'My answer to that is I've made a lot of outs (against) the Cubs too. My wife is from Northwest Indiana (Chesterton). That's kind of Cubs country so I've been used to hearing it for a long time every time I go back with her. 'I always said I've made a lot of outs, and the year before you guys beat us (in the 2016 NLCS) and won a World Series. So it's give and take a little, right?' So signing is his chance to apologize to Cubs fans? 'I'm not apologizing,' he said with a grin. Turner's 7-month-old son is named Bo Jordan after Bo Jackson and Michael Jordan. He said his wife told him Wednesday night that now that he's a Cub, the baby will now be called 'Bo Jordan Turner III (for) three great Chicago athletes.' To make room for Turner, the Cubs designated outfielder Alexander Canario for assignment. Seldom has a 40-year-old reserve generated as much interest in Cubs camp. Counsell said Turner would be a mentor to young players, a role Turner said he is glad to fill. While Turner said he would take grounders at third and do anything needed, Counsell confirmed he mostly would be used as a first baseman, DH and pinch hitter. Michael Busch, Turner's former Dodgers teammate, will remain the primary first baseman. Turner is the oldest position player in the majors, but age is just a number, according to Counsell. 'The longevity just speaks to (the belief) this is a really smart baseball player, so you regress physically as you age,' Counsell said. 'We all do. There's no question about that. But his instincts for the game, instincts for hitting are elite. Those don't go anywhere. 'If anything they just continue to get better if you kind of use it the right way. That's why he's able to stay in the league and be an effective player and be a good offensive player.' Turner said he wanted to come to an organization that could win in 2025, and the Cubs fit that description in his mind. 'At this point in my career the most important thing is going to a place that is going to win, that wants to win and is going to do whatever they can to compete and get in the playoffs first,' Turner said. 'That's obviously the hardest part, and then have an opportunity to win a championship.' He said Wrigley is one of his 'favorite places to play' and a historic park with a great fan base. 'I know they show up, their passionate, they understand the game,' he said. 'The place is rocking and rolling when the Cubs are good, and we intend on being good this year.' Reporting to camp 11 days after it opened, Turner didn't have a time frame for when he would be ready. The season opener in Japan is on March 18. 'Three weeks isn't a choice, it's a fact,' he said. 'So I'll be ready in three weeks. … It's my 16th or 17th camp. I think I have a pretty good understanding of where I need to be and what I need to do to get there. I'll just use that feel.' Turner had to wait for Alex Bregman to sign with the Boston Red Sox, which opened the door for him to come to Chicago. 'Unfortunately it took a little longer for Bregman to figure out where he was going,' he said. 'But I think it all worked out perfectly, and I'm right where I'm supposed to be.'
New York Times
20-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Robot umps make early impact: Cubs pitcher wins first ABS challenge in spring training game
PHOENIX — With one tap of a cap, Cody Poteet made history and invited a new potential era in Major League Baseball umpiring. It took just one inning for the Chicago Cubs right-hander to be the first player to successfully challenge a ball-strike call in a big-league spring training game, overturning a called ball from home-plate umpire Tony Randazzo to a strike against Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy. Advertisement Poteet threw a 95 mph fastball that he believed to be at Muncy's knees and immediately signaled to implement the new automatic ball-strike challenge system. The display on the Camelback Ranch video board showed that the pitch indeed crossed within the rulebook strike zone. It turned a 1-1 count to 0-2, and Muncy struck out looking three pitches later. 'When that ball crossed, I thought it was a strike right away and he balled it,' Muncy said. 'I look out there and he's tapping his head and I went, 'Well, I'm going to be the first one.'' Only three players on the field can use the challenge system — the hitter, pitcher and catcher — with up to two per team per game. If a challenge is successful, the team retains its challenge. Every pitch is still called by a human umpire, and MLB estimated in its presentation on Tuesday that the average challenge took 17 seconds. 'It's a cool idea. It doesn't slow the game down at all,' Muncy said. 'It moves fast. The longest part was Tony trying to get the microphone to work in the stadium.' The ABS System! — Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 20, 2025 Thursday marked the first time the technology had been used at this level after experimentation in the minor leagues, with implementation perhaps on the way as soon as 2026. Both Poteet and Muncy had at least some experience with it. Poteet made 10 starts last year in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with the New York Yankees organization, while Muncy witnessed it while on a rehab assignment from a midsummer stint on the injured list. 'The only thing I saw when I was in Triple A was the technology wasn't entirely there,' Muncy said. 'There'd be certain pitches that you would see and you'd look up on the board and it'd have it in a completely different spot. … Even the catcher would come back and be like, 'Yeah, that's not where that ball was.' The technology isn't 100 percent there, but the idea of it's really cool.' Advertisement The next attempted challenge came in the eighth inning when Cubs catcher Pablo Aliendo challenged that Frankie Scalzo Jr.'s pitch had clipped the top of the zone against Dodgers infielder Sean McClain. The challenge was unsuccessful, with the video board showing that the pitch was 1.6 inches above what it would consider to be a strike. 'I think it's actually a pretty good system,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. 'Obviously (they're) trying to figure out how many challenges make the most sense in a major-league ball game. But those guys certainly used it, I think two or three times today. I like it because especially in a big spot, you want to get the ball right.' There was at least some reason to laugh about it afterward. The Dodgers, in preparation for the first game under the new rules, held a team meeting with one caveat: Muncy was the only person who couldn't challenge. 'Freddie (Freeman) called me out in the meeting, said, 'You're banned from using challenges.' I don't know why,' Muncy said. 'I guess that's just because everyone just knows I have a good idea of the strike zone. But of course, it's me that gets the first one after all those guys are joking about it. 'When I came back, Freddie was waiting for me just laughing right in my face. Go figure.'
Fox Sports
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Cubs' Cody Poteet makes first ABS challenge in spring training and wins
Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet believed the 95 mph fastball he threw to Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy was in the strike zone. Home plate umpire Tony Randazzo disagreed and called it a ball. Instead of arguing, Poteet simply patted the top of his cap, signifying he wanted to challenge the call. After a few seconds, the verdict was ready on the video board in right-center field. Poteet was correct — the pitch was a strike, just catching the bottom of the zone. The first test of the Automated Ball-Strike System went off without a hitch Thursday, with Randazzo quickly reversing the call. Instead of a 1-1 count for Muncy, the batter was in an 0-2 hole and struck out three pitches later. Robot umpires arrived in the big leagues, at least in exhibition games. The Cubs and World Series champion Dodgers opened the spring training schedule with an added wrinkle: Camelback Ranch is among the test sites for the ABS, which could be used in big league regular-season games as soon as 2026. Human umpires still call every pitch, but each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game, with no additions for extra innings. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and widely expanded to many calls for the 2014 season. Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap. Assistance from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within 2 seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone will be shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the updated count. MLB estimates the process averages 17 seconds. The Cubs and Dodgers opened this year's spring training schedule earlier than the other 28 teams because they're playing each other in Tokyo to open the regular season on March 18-19. There will be five games on Friday before all teams get started this weekend. The Dodgers played a few of their regulars in the opener, including shortstop Mookie Betts, third baseman Max Muncy and right fielder Teoscar Hernández. Yoshinobu Yamamoto started on the mound as he prepares to start the opener in Tokyo. Yamamoto threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out two. He threw 19 of 27 pitches for strikes. Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani was not in the lineup as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on a partially torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, an injury sustained during the World Series. He's expected to get some Cactus League at-bats and be ready to hit by the regular season but likely won't pitch until May. MLB has installed the ABS system in 13 spring training ballparks that are home to 19 teams. The Florida stadiums, all in the Florida State League, are Detroit, Minnesota, the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Toronto, plus the ballpark shared by Miami and St. Louis. Five test sites in Arizona all are shared: the Diamondbacks/Colorado, Chicago White Sox/Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland/Cincinnati, Kansas City/Texas and Seattle/San Diego. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs Los Angeles Dodgers recommended Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
