This spring, MLB players can challenge ball and strike calls. The camera-based system is only an experiment for now — but it has the baseball world wondering where to draw the line with technology.

Two University of Waterloo alumni are changing Major League Baseball (MLB) with a data-driven pitching simulator that replicates the real experience of batting against a professional pitcher.

On a special episode (first released on March 21, 2025) of The Excerpt podcast: Technology and tradition are converging this spring training as AI-based umpires are tried out as part of MLB's ...

When the first spring training games begin this week, something new will be in use: an automated ball-strike umpiring system. After years of trials in the minor leagues, it gets a major league test.

But as the ball left his hand — in the first inning of the first game of spring training Feb. 20 in Arizona — it drifted toward the inside corner, off target.

Baseball is getting a peek at the potential future of umpiring during spring training. Dan Lyons | Feb 20, 2025 The MLB's automated ball-strike challenge display during a Dodgers-Cubs spring ...

NEW YORK — Commissioner Rob Manfred reaffirmed Wednesday that Major League Baseball plans to test the automated ball-strike system in major-league spring training next season, with an eye on ...

FILE – Kansas City Royals pitcher Evan Sisk throws a weighted ball against the bullpen wall to warm up during a spring training baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, March 6, 2024, in Surprise, ...

But a lot of things, like keeping his head on the ball in tee drills or soft toss, or staying on my back leg, I implement in my swing." Dylan Buell / Getty Images ...