An umpire mistakenly initiated a challenge during a game involving Brett Baty, despite him not requesting one. This incident highlights the ongoing human element in MLB's Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System.
Key points
Umpire called a challenge not requested by Brett Baty
Incident occurred during a game at Citi Field
Highlights human interpretation in MLB's challenge system
Baty raised his hand but did not request a challenge
Brett Baty is an infielder for the New York Mets
Brett BatyNew York MetsMajor League Baseball
Umpire calls a challenge that Brett Baty never requested
Turns out there is still plenty of room for the human element even with Major League Baseballās Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System.
Now, it is all in the interpretation.
Just ask Brett Baty. The New York Mets infielder slightly raised his right hand in the sixth inning on Tuesday night at Citi Field. He never touched his helmet, though it looked like he was going to touch the bill, not tap it.
ItĀ didnātĀ matter.Ā Homeplate umpire Junior Valentine saw the arm go up and immediately signaled for a challenge.Ā Baty argued, but ValentineĀ didnātĀ budge. The strikeĀ stood,Ā theĀ Mets were out of challenges.
The reviews on SNY showed veryĀ clearlyĀ Baty never touched his helmet. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza came out toĀ argue,Ā it stillĀ didnātĀ matter. It was the umpireāsĀ discretion.
Sound familiar?
That was the reasoning on Sunday when home plate umpire Carlos Torres denied a challenge from the Orioles and another from theĀ Aās.
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona
Q&A
What happened during the game with Brett Baty?
An umpire called for a challenge that Brett Baty did not request, leading to confusion during the game.
How does the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System work in MLB?
The Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System is designed to assist umpires in making accurate calls, but human interpretation can still lead to errors.
What did Brett Baty do that led to the umpire's challenge?
Brett Baty slightly raised his right hand during the game, which the umpire interpreted as a request for a challenge, even though he did not touch his helmet.
What team does Brett Baty play for in MLB?
Brett Baty plays for the New York Mets in Major League Baseball.
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The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system on a challenge in the second inning of the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 12, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during a challenge by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of the MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians at Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during a challenge by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of the MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians at Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
A general view of the scoreboard during an ABS challenge in the sixth inning of the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on February 27, 2025 in Goodyear, Arizona.
The scoreboard at Truist Park is seen during an Automated Ball-Strike system challenge during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The scoreboard at Truist Park is seen during an Automated Ball-Strike system challenge during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
1 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona
1 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona
2 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system on a challenge in the second inning of the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 12, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
3 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during a challenge by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of the MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians at Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
4 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
5 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
6 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during a challenge by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of the MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians at Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
7 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
A general view of the scoreboard during an ABS challenge in the sixth inning of the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on February 27, 2025 in Goodyear, Arizona.
8 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The scoreboard at Truist Park is seen during an Automated Ball-Strike system challenge during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
9 / 9
What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The scoreboard at Truist Park is seen during an Automated Ball-Strike system challenge during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Under MLB rules, only the pitcher,Ā catcherĀ or batter canĀ initiateĀ a challenge. They have two seconds toĀ signal forĀ a challenge. The umpires have discretion to deny requestsĀ that do not meet those standards.
ItĀ isnātĀ Batyās first issue with ABS. Earlier this season he became the first batter in major-league history to have a bases-loaded walk overturned to an inning-ending called third strike by the challenge system.
Now he has a burned challenge he neverĀ asked forĀ to go with it.
The ABS system was designed by MLB toĀ eliminateĀ human errors. Seven weeks inĀ and human error is still part of the game.