Baseball fans will have to wait a long time for an exciting rules change from Rob Manfred

Rob Manfred will always be in a precarious position. As commissioner of our nation’s pastime, he cannot win. Any changes he makes haven’t happened quickly enough and also have the potential to ruin traditions. In this case, though, MLB needs to keep up with the times.

Manfred has long discussed the use of ABS — which essentially serves as an automated strike zone — in the major leagues. MLB has tested this system in the minor leagues and sister leagues, and for the most part, it has worked well. Although the rule change is quickly reaching the major leagues, Manfred did not commit to a specific implementation date in his appearance on the ‘Dan Patrick Show’ this week.

“I think we’ll see some version of the automated strike zone in the big leagues within the next four years,” Manfred said. “The technology is so robust. Literally, the path of pitches is tracked down to 1/100th of an inch. It’s hard to ignore this technology.”

For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work atBaseball insiders podcast, subscribe The moon shotour weekly MLB newsletter, and join the discord to get the inside scoop between now and the MLB off-season.

Manfred and MLB will likely wait until the start of a new CBA to fully implement such a complex rule change. The ABS will alter baseball forever and maybe even put some umpires out of their jobs. Don’t get me wrong, there will always be a place for in-person supervision of the sport, but an electronic strike zone rids the game of the human element, which is a welcome change. Manfred and MLB also discussed how they will use ABS and what coaches and players should expect when it is applied.

“We decided that we are going to test the challenge version. There are two versions of ABS (automated ball striking system). One in which each pitch is called in the umpire’s ear and the other which is a challenge system. We are going to test the system challenge in spring training with major league players,” Manfred continued.

The ABS, like all new rules, will be a work in progress. Odds are MLB will have to make some adjustments and fans will be frustrated about it. However, once the league figures out exactly how to make this system work, the game will get better.