World Series champion John Smoltz warns baseball 'will suffer' if ABS system is applied to all pitches
John Smoltz expressed concerns about the potential full-time implementation of the Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) system in baseball. While he acknowledges the current challenge system as a success, he believes that automating all pitches would negatively impact the game. Smoltz noted changes in player behavior, such as decreased swing rates and increased walks, as byproducts of the system.
- ▪John Smoltz warns that baseball will suffer if the ABS system is applied to all pitches.
- ▪He supports the current challenge system, which allows teams two challenges per game.
- ▪Smoltz observed a decrease in swing rates and an increase in walk rates among hitters this season.
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MLB World Series champion John Smoltz warns baseball 'will suffer' if ABS system is applied to all pitches Smoltz says the ABS system has been a 'big success,' and doesn't want it to change By Ryan Canfield Fox News Published June 7, 2026 7:54am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video MLB’s Automatic Ball-Strike System is Having a Big Impact A month into the MLB season, batters are making frequent use of the new ABS challenge system. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! World Series champion John Smoltz said he likes the ABS challenge system but hopes that the system never becomes full-time, where all pitches are automated.
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