American Baseball League To Use Robot Umpires In 2026

The Major League Baseball’s 11-man competition committee announced on Tuesday that the use of the Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS) has been approved for the 2026 season.

According to AP, the Major League Baseball (MLB) will rely more on robot umpires starting next year. While the AI-powered system will call all balls and strikes, players will still be able to request reviews, which will be displayed on outfield videoboards.

ABS has been tested over the past few years in multiple games and leagues across the United States. This decision marks a major transformation in the sport and the most significant rule change since the adjustments made in 2024. While not everyone welcomes it, the adoption of AI in professional baseball seems inevitable.

“You can like it, dislike it, it doesn’t matter,” Stephen Vogt, Guardians manager, told AP. “It’s coming. It’s going to change the game. It’s going to change the game forever.”

Managers and experts acknowledge that the technology isn’t 100% accurate, but the results have been reliable. The use of robot umpires is also expected to reduce ejection rates, as more than 60% are linked to inappropriate behavior—such as throwing equipment or making derogatory comments—after disputed ball calls. ABS represents a more objective authority.

“I love it. I loved it in spring training,” said Rob Thomson, Phillies manager, to AP. “Not all of the players, but most of the players, if you ask them, they really liked it too. I think it keeps everybody accountable. It keeps everybody on their toes.”

The technology has also been designed to preserve certain human elements of the game, such as “pitch framing,” a strategy in which catchers use their positioning to make borderline pitches appear as strikes.

AI systems and humanoid robots have been gaining protagonism in sports this year. A few weeks ago, China hosted the world’s first humanoid robot games, showcasing local robotic developments with tournaments including soccer, boxing, and running competitions.