ABS Challenge System Day 1 in MLB 2026: What Happened

The article dives into Major League Baseball’s Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge system, powered by T-Mobile, as it comes back for the 2026 Spring Training slate. It explores how many challenges teams made, how often umpires’ calls got overturned, and which clubs shaped the early data from five Cactus and Grapefruit League games.

You’ll find some highlights from Salt River Fields and a look at what these early numbers might mean for the rest of Spring Training—and maybe the season itself.

Return of the ABS Challenge in 2026 Spring Training

Spring Training 2026 brought the ABS challenge system back after its pilot run last year in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues. Teams used the challenge option to contest ball-and-strike calls, with managers and catchers weighing how it might impact game tempo and strategy.

Early data paints a picture of a testing ground. Accuracy, pace, and how comfortable managers feel with the system are all being put under the microscope, right there in real time.

Across five Cactus and Grapefruit League games on Friday, clubs made 23 challenges, averaging 4.6 per game. Of those, 13 got overturned—a 56.5 percent success rate for challenged calls.

It’s a small sample, but you can already see how the ABS framework is working at the major-league level. Crews are learning to adapt to the computerized strike zone, for better or worse.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick was probably the busiest spot, with the Arizona Diamondbacks facing the Colorado Rockies. That single game had seven challenges, and six of them were successful reversals.

The Diamondbacks submitted five challenges and got four overturned. The Rockies went 2-for-2, making a couple of quick, gutsy decisions at the plate. In a high-leverage spring environment, those numbers might shape how teams approach every pitch sequence, even in February and March.

Friday’s Challenge Snapshot

Ten teams took the field on Friday, but not everyone was equally eager to use the ABS tool. The Baltimore Orioles were the only club that didn’t issue a challenge.

The Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals joined a small group that didn’t record a successful challenge that day. These details show just how differently teams are approaching the system as they weigh its reliability and the edge it might give them when games start to count.

• Total challenges: 23 across five games
• Average per game: 4.6
• Challenges overturned: 13
• Overall overturn rate: 56.5%
• Salt River Fields showcase: 7 challenges, 6 overturned
• Diamondbacks: 5 challenges, 4 overturned
• Rockies: 2-for-2 on challenges
• Non-challenging clubs: Orioles did not challenge; Mariners and Royals failed to record successful challenges

Team Performances and Notable Moments

Looking at the numbers team by team, a few trends pop out. The Diamondbacks leaned into the ABS system, using challenges aggressively at home, where the crew probably feels a bit more comfortable with the hardware.

The Rockies made the most of their two chances, converting both into reversals. That might hint at a willingness to push the envelope when something doesn’t look right in real time.

Salt River Fields stood out with seven challenges and six successful reversals in that one game. That kind of output could set a tone for other high-altitude, winter-ball parks as Spring Training rolls on.

The Orioles, Mariners, and Royals lagged in terms of successful challenges. It’s a reminder that, early on, results can swing wildly depending on club philosophy and how ready the staff is to use the system.

What This Means for Spring Training and the Road Ahead

Teams are still getting used to ABS. A few things are already coming into focus for Spring Training and what’s next:

• More teams are adopting ABS, and managers seem more willing to challenge calls when it really matters.
• We’re seeing a lot of overturned calls, which probably means the system’s strike zone is pretty accurate. Still, it’ll get better as more data comes in.
• Each team is handling things differently. Some clubs are going bold with challenges, while others are holding back until they trust the system more.
• Places like Salt River Fields will be important for testing how ABS changes the pace of play and how pitchers and catchers work together.

 
Here is the source article for this story: How the ABS challenge system worked on 1st day of games