Amid growing frustration over inconsistent strike zones and controversial calls behind the plate, the debate around umpiring quality in MLB has finally reached a boiling point. Fans, players, and analysts alike have been increasingly vocal in demanding change, with many pointing toward the automated ball-strike system as the future of the game. Well, you know that the ABS has already been tested and implemented at various levels of the Minor League, but its arrival in the majors has remained uncertain.
That is, until now. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has finally broken his silence, revealing what’s in store for the league in 2026.
Well, calls for the ABS in MLB have grown louder in recent years, driven by umpiring inconsistencies, particularly when it comes to calling balls and strikes. These days, we see every missed call dissected on social media and broadcasts using strike zone graphics. Hence, the pressure on human umpires has intensified. So, what is MLB thinking?
As per Jomboy Media, the long-anticipated arrival of ABS in MLB might finally be on the horizon. Manfred revealed on Wednesday that he plans to formally propose the ABS challenge system to the league’s competition committee this offseason, to implement it by Opening Day 2026: “I do think that we’re going to pursue the possibility of changing that process, and we’ll see what comes out at the end of that.” Yes, the commissioner is talking about implementing ABS. Yes, baseball is going to change forever. Finally.
Rob Manfred will propose the ABS system and it’s likely to arrive to MLB in 2026
(via @EvanDrellich) pic.twitter.com/UnQylCW7Yu
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 5, 2025
Well, this move isn’t entirely unexpected, considering Manfred has shown his support for the ABS in recent years. With its successful trials in the Minor Leagues and increasing public pressure following years of inconsistent umpiring behind the plate, the push for a technology-assisted strike zone seems closer than ever to becoming reality in the majors.
However, while you might have hoped for a positive response from the fans about implementing ABS, things are the opposite in the real world. Fans are flooding X, calling out Manfred for destroying MLB. And of course, it is especially the purists who wish to have MLB as it has been since its inception who are countering the pro ABS narrative.
Fans are calling out the MLB commissioner
While ABS is planned for a better umpiring in the game, the decision has put the MLB commissioner on the receiving end of the fans. On user commented: “I don’t want to watch baseball without a home plate umpire. Shitty calls and different strike zones are part of the game. going full Robo Ump will be boring.”
In yet another scathing criticism, Manfred was accused of k****** baseball. Because, for the more traditional, tweaking the rules in MLB equals killing the very essence of the game. Well, the rulebook strike zone is static, but the reality is far from it. Umpires manage a game with feel, adjusting based on a hitter’s stance, a pitcher’s rhythm, or even the moment’s intensity. In contrast, ABS lacks this human feel, however imperfect it may be. It treats every pitch the same, without context, which could make the game more rigid and robotic. Not something we’ve seen before in MLB!
Manfred killed baseball : confirmed.
— Samuel Williams (@Sammyw51686) June 5, 2025
Yes, human errors are part of the job, and MLB is no exception. Umpires do make errors and stir controversies. But a few fans believe that baseball is always about the human element. Umpires make judgment calls, just like players make errors and managers make questionable decisions. The drama you get from a close pitch at a crucial moment, and how an umpire interprets it, adds an unpredictable, emotional dimension to the game. So, removing that element may make the game less soulful.
Another user highlighted the lack of drama that this decision might entail: “No more ejections. Could be the end of the game.” With ABS calling balls and strikes, there’s little to argue about. If a manager challenges a call, the system simply confirms or overturns it. That eliminates the chances where emotions boil over and fans see genuine, raw reactions. We will surely miss Aaron Boone yelling at the umpires for a blown call. So, removing that emotional trigger could make games feel flatter and more mechanical, especially in an era when MLB is working hard to attract new fans and boost engagement.
One distraught fan chimed in: “NOOOOOO GOD PLEASE NO NO NOOOOOOOOO.” Ahh, we feel it! It will surely be painful to watch for the purists to see baseball moving away from its traditional essence and embracing more technologies. For fans, baseball is a sport deeply tied to its traditions. For many purists, bringing in robo-umps feels like tampering with the sport’s identity. So, it’s not just about calls. It’s about preserving a game that reflects human highs and lows, justice and injustice, grace and error. The human umpire, flawed as he may be, is part of that story.
Anything where a human umpire will not stand behind the base plate is “Not baseball,” holds one fan. Well, for over a century, the image of a home plate umpire, crouched behind the catcher, calling balls and strikes, is what defines MLB! It is as iconic as the pitcher’s throw or the crack of the bat. Take that away, and you lose a piece of what makes baseball look and feel like baseball.
So, what’s left for Manfred? Embracing technological advancement is inevitable, and MLB shouldn’t stay behind. However, the key to successfully implement the same is to embrace technology without diluting the true essence of the game. Thoughts?
The post “Manfred K***** Baseball”- Calls Mount Against MLB After Commissioner’s Umpiring Announcement appeared first on EssentiallySports.
