How long are we going to see more players getting kicked out? Well, that might be the question among many. As if, just like the home runs, strikeouts, and chorus of cheers and boos are staples of baseball, so is the ejection, no? While for the masses, the arguments, players’ protests, and dirt-kicking may serve the purpose of enjoyment, but not for MLB. It’s turning out to be a glaring issue instead.
Just a few days back, we saw Taylor Walls getting ejected after tapping his helmet on a strike call. Then there’s Aaron Boone, who got ejected as well after trying to stand on the side of Jasson Dominguez after a controversial call. So, what’s the solution to this rising problem that’s taking a toll on the major league?
Well, MLB insider Trevor Plouffe has an answer to it. He wishes for some change in plans, but the boat has sailed far away! However, despite that, Plouffe proposes an idea that may help in reducing the number of ejections in MLB. “What if the umpire was mad at you and he’s like, ‘Stop arguing. I told you to stop.’ What if he just pulled out a yellow card? Whatever it is. And you are next at bat; you started with a strike or the next batter. If you’re a pitcher arguing too much, you start with the ball.”
Plouffe proposes an idea to decrease ejections in MLB pic.twitter.com/X2Zf5TlP7h
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 10, 2025
Plouffe does have a point. This actually happens in pitch clock interactions, right? Either start with the ball or start with the strike. And that’s probably going to be enough for a penalty, Plouffe thinks. No player wants to start from one and if this idea works, then it’s likely that we can see a gradual decrease in the ejection of the players, too.
Why does it bear so much significance?
Well, as fans, we come to see our favorite players either hitting it big or breaking the batters, right? Guess how it feels when we see those players getting ejected, either because of a wrong call made by the umpire or over arguments. And the players being penalized is not a new thing in sports, right?
We have seen in football where it’s an automatic first down and a 15-yard penalty against the offensive team. Sometimes, even a penalty kick towards the goal. And in basketball, we have seen the team getting a free throw. So, according to Trevor Plouffe, it’s high time that the MLB look into this matter. And if we look carefully, his proposal may fetch some ticks, moving forward.
ABS in MLB: A likely solution to the player ejection problem?
2025 is a season of spectacle and surprises as well as a lot of frustrations building among the fans. Well, we do have a reason behind that. The arguments over the strikes and balls are deemed the most possible ways of getting ejected in baseball. And this turns out to be a glaring issue with no prominent solution to date. However, the Automated Ball Strike Challenge (ABS) system might just solve the problem if we look at its benefits.
First of all, more than 200 ejections happened in the 2024 season and going by the way things are at the moment, this season might also have a huge number of ejections or maybe more? The ABS has the potential to drastically reduce that figure. It would allow the players to confront the umpires, challenging the strikes or balls, in case they disagree with the decision.
With both teams having scopes to challenge the calls two times, it’s like a boon in the bane. However, according to MLB’s executive vice president, Morgan Sword, it’s a big decision and it will require the opinions of everyone before its implementation.
For those unversed, the ABS has been being used in the minor league for quite some time now. Not only can it reduce the chances of errors, but it may also change the entire fate of the game in clutch moments. Given the positive feedback pouring in from the players as well as the minor league coaches, it’s not far away that we can see it in the major league too. However, as per reports, the chances are low of the ABS getting used before the 2026 season.
What are your thoughts on the ABS and do you think it can reduce player ejections?
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