Cincinnati Reds fans celebrated a win with free pizza thanks to MLB's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system. The system not only improves call accuracy but also enhances fan engagement during games.
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Sometimes technology changes the game. And sometimes… it wins you pizza. That’s exactly what happened at Great American Ball Park, where Cincinnati Reds fans got a delicious reward thanks to Major League Baseball’s new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system.
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One of the most entertaining elements of the new ABS challenge system isn’t just getting calls right; it’s the crowd reaction. Fans have quickly embraced the drama of challenges, erupting when a call is overturned in their team’s favor. But in Cincinnati, the stakes were even higher.
The Reds have a popular promotion with local chain LaRosa’s Pizzeria called “Strikeouts for Slices.” The deal is simple:
Heading into the ninth inning of a 7–2 win over the Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati sat at 10 strikeouts. They needed just one more.
With Brock Burke on the mound and Edouard Julien at the plate, the moment arrived. On a 1–2 count, Burke fired a 98 mph fastball that just clipped the outside edge—or so it seemed. The call? Ball. But Reds catcher wasn’t letting that stand. Even with a five-run lead, he immediately signaled for a challenge.
The ABS system uses technology to accurately determine ball and strike calls, allowing teams to challenge certain decisions during games.
Cincinnati Reds fans received free pizza as a reward when the ABS system overturned a call in their favor.
Fans are excited because the ABS system not only improves the accuracy of calls but also adds drama and engagement during games.
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The ABS system reviewed the pitch and confirmed what Stephenson believed. The ball had caught the zone by 1.1 inches. Strike three. Strikeout number 11. Free pizza for everyone. The crowd erupted.
“I guess that was kind of like the perfect storm to get the pizza,” Stephenson said after the game.
This moment perfectly captures what MLB is hoping to achieve with ABS:
It’s not just about getting calls right; it’s about adding excitement. In Cincinnati, the ABS system didn’t just change a call. It changed the menu. And for one night, baseball, technology, and pizza came together for a perfect and delicious ending.