MLB: why human umpires should remain in the automated ball-strike (ABS) era

Social media makes it easy to believe that baseball umpires are failing the sport, but a close look at the evidence tells a different story. Umpires in Major League Baseball have steadily improved their accuracy on balls and strikes over the last two decades, and the numbers suggest humans still belong behind the plate even as technology plays a bigger role.

With MLB planning to expand automated ball-strike (ABS) systems in 2026, the debate has intensified: should computers take over completely, or should technology assist human officials? The best path forward, supported by measurable trends and real-world experience, points to a hybrid model that preserves the human presence while using machines to reduce the most obvious errors.

How the numbers show umpire performance has climbed

Data from pitch-tracking systems tell a clear story: umpires are getting more accurate. In 2025, MLB umpires recorded a league-leading accuracy rate of 92.83% on taken pitches — the highest level on record. That marks steady gains since tracking technology was first introduced roughly 18 years ago.

Key accuracy milestones

• 2007: Umpire accuracy on balls and strikes was roughly 82.8%.
• 2017: Accuracy rose to at least 90.5% and stayed above that threshold after.
• 2021–2025: Umpire success remained consistently high, never dipping below 92.2% and peaking at 92.83% in 2025.

These trends show improvement not just in isolated seasons but across an era in which technology became a regular part of officiating. That progress undermines the narrative that human umpires are a failing relic that must be replaced wholesale.

Why a hybrid of human umpires and ABS is the most practical choice

The move to ABS does not have to — and probably should not — mean removing umpires from ball-and-strike decisions entirely. A blended approach captures the strengths of both humans and machines.

• Humans provide context: Umpires manage game flow, positioning, and the personal interactions that are part of baseball’s drama.
• Technology increases fairness: ABS reduces the frequency of the most glaring mistakes and standardizes strike zones across games.
• Transition reduces friction: Allowing umpires and players to adapt to ABS in stages keeps trust intact and reduces error-related disputes.

When professional minor-league tests and early ABS implementations are taken as a guide, the expectation is that automated calls will eliminate many outlier mistakes without erasing the human element that players and fans still value.

Benefits teams, players, and fans can expect from ABS plus human oversight

Automated strike-calling is not a cure-all, but paired with experienced umpires it offers concrete gains.

1. Fewer egregious errors: ABS can catch the most obvious miscalls that skew games and generate controversy.
2. Improved consistency: Uniform strike zones lead to fairer competition across teams and ballparks.
3. Better accountability: When technology backs up calls, patterns of bias or repeated mistakes can be identified and corrected.
4. Smoother player relations: Players who trust the system are less likely to engage in prolonged disputes that slow the game.

Misinformation and the outsize reaction to isolated errors

High-profile mistakes create loud reactions, especially online. But a handful of bad calls shouldn’t overshadow steady progress. Recent Spring Training incidents spotlight how a single rough outing can be amplified — and sometimes misreported.

In one sequence, an umpire had several calls overturned by ABS during a short stretch, generating headlines that framed the performance as catastrophic. At least one MLB-affiliated YouTube account then misstated the situation by describing it as “five straight pitched calls” being overturned, an inaccurate characterization that added confusion. Mistakes in reporting are themselves a reminder that both human judgment and accurate data handling are essential.

What to expect as ABS rolls out leaguewide in 2026

Leagues that trialled automated systems typically saw a reduction in the worst errors without eliminating the need for trained officials. MLB’s rollout should follow that pattern if it leans into a supportive role for technology rather than a replacement strategy.

Practical changes fans may notice

• Fewer dramatic “missed” strikes that alter the course of an inning.
• Smoother replay and challenge protocols when ABS and human calls conflict.
• Gradual cultural adjustment as players and umpires learn to interact with the system.

Adopting ABS will be a process, not a flip of a switch. As familiarity grows, the league can refine when and how machines intervene, keeping human officials central to game management while leaning on technology for consistency.

Why keeping people in the loop matters for the sport

Umpires have been part of the fabric of baseball since its early days, and their role goes beyond simply calling pitches. They arbitrate tense moments, manage benches, and help enforce the unwritten rules that shape how the game is played. Removing that human presence entirely risks flattening the sport into something less interactive.

• Human judgment handles nuance: Contextual decisions — when to warn, when to eject, when to let a game breathe — are not easily delegated to machines.
• Accountability remains tangible: Players can speak to and learn from human officials in ways they can’t with a camera or an algorithm.
• Machines err too: Sensor failures or calibration issues can produce mistaken calls, and someone needs to manage those breakdowns in real time.

Keeping a hybrid system sends a clear message: embrace technology to improve fairness, but don’t discard the human capacity that has sustained the game’s spirit for generations.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.