The ABS Challenge System is Here. How Do Twins Players Feel, and What Are the Implications?

[h2oface]

11 hours ago, Linus said:

Jeffers seemed to be really good using this system last spring training. This will be one more thing that gets measured. 

For all the easy strikes calls he takes when he is batting, it seems he could use some work. 

[Woof Bronzer]

18 hours ago, Eric Blonigen said:

This game against the Rangers is a perfect example of why the ABS challenge system will be great. Byron Buxton just struck out looking for I believe the fourth time since Saturday on a pitch that missed the zone by inches. Have any of those changed the outcome of the game? Tough to say. But, multiply that out throughout a season and across a full team, and yikes. 

What about the bad calls that went our way throughout the season? 

This stuff evens out over time. If fans think ABS is going to bring their team a few more wins they are in for some severe disappointment. 

Fans don't want the right calls.  They want the calls to benefit their team.  ABS won't change that.  

[Sjoski]

On 9/25/2025 at 9:40 AM, Woof Bronzer said:

fans are going to be extremely disappointed to learn that 1) ABS is not 100% accurate and never will be 2) ABS won't end arguing about missed calls  3) their team doesn't suddenly turn into a WS contender once the big bad umps are replaced.

Totally agree with you..But if ABS is proven to be more consistent than humans,  why not use ABS 100%?

What gets me about any outcome in any sport is when poor umpires or referees decide the game, not the players.

MLB will be a better game when ABS is used 100% for balls and strikes..

 

 

[Woof Bronzer]

23 minutes ago, Sjoski said:

Totally agree with you..But if ABS is proven to be more consistent than humans,  why not use ABS 100%?

What gets me about any outcome in any sport is when poor umpires or referees decide the game, not the players.

MLB will be a better game when ABS is used 100% for balls and strikes..

 

 

I suspect you don't have any problem with say the outcome of the Gant/Hrbek bad call game in 91....I don't either :)

ABS is not 100% accurate and human umps are like 95% accurate so we're talking about incremental improvement, with a downside that I think ABS will start the path toward more and more replay and less humans - that's what has happened in every sport.   

I honestly don't feel that strongly about it though, I just get the sense fans think this is 100% accurate and this will end bad calls and that is just not the case.  They'll just get mad at the robots now.  Frankly I think many fans would be astonished to learn that the strike zone box they see on the screen isn't anything official or accurate,  

[h2oface]

18 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I suspect you don't have any problem with say the outcome of the Gant/Hrbek bad call game in 91....I don't either :)

ABS is not 100% accurate and human umps are like 95% accurate so we're talking about incremental improvement, with a downside that I think ABS will start the path toward more and more replay and less humans - that's what has happened in every sport.   

I honestly don't feel that strongly about it though, I just get the sense fans think this is 100% accurate and this will end bad calls and that is just not the case.  They'll just get mad at the robots now.  Frankly I think many fans would be astonished to learn that the strike zone box they see on the screen isn't anything official or accurate,  

But yet it is used to grade the umpires, and overturn calls. Hmmmmm. How does that compute with your claims that have no backing?

It is better. It is a tool. Not a robot, just as my thermostat that measures temperature better than my guesses is not a robot. Always use the best method available without delay, I hope. At least try to get it "righter". Most fans certainly want the right calls. I don't like bad calls, regardless of whether it helps my team. I want the humans.... the players.... to decide the games, not the umpires.

[Woof Bronzer]

On 9/27/2025 at 5:08 AM, h2oface said:

But yet it is used to grade the umpires, and overturn calls. Hmmmmm. How does that compute with your claims that have no backing?

It is better. It is a tool. Not a robot, just as my thermostat that measures temperature better than my guesses is not a robot. Always use the best method available without delay, I hope. At least try to get it "righter". Most fans certainly want the right calls. I don't like bad calls, regardless of whether it helps my team. I want the humans.... the players.... to decide the games, not the umpires.

I don't know what to tell you, but if you think ABS is 100% accurate you are quite mistaken.  

[h2oface]

8 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I don't know what to tell you, but if you think ABS is 100% accurate you are quite mistaken.  

Still no backing for your claims..

How better or best option or tool available becomes you thinking I would mean 100% accurate is fascinating. You must define words differently than dictionaries to have come to that understanding of what was said.