
Hull sink Millwall to reach Championship play-off final
Hull City secures Championship play-off final spot with 2-0 win over Millwall
Greg Sankey announced the introduction of an automated ball-strike system (ABS) challenge at the SEC Tournament from May 19-24 in Hoover, Alabama. This system is inspired by Major League Baseball's ABS review rule.
Mentioned in this story
What Greg Sankey said about ABS challenge system at SEC Tournament
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Major league baseball's been a help to the SEC's rule changes on the diamond, be it replay review or in-game communication between players, and the MLB showed commissioner Greg Sankey long ago what's to come.
Last week, the conference announced it'd introduce an ABS (automated ball-strike system) challenge at this year's SEC Tournament, which runs May 19-24 in Hoover, Alabama. It's akin to the MLB's first-year ABS review rule, and it was something Sankey first desired eight years prior.
REQUIRED READING: ABS challenge system coming to SEC Baseball Tournament, league announces
In 2018, Sankey was in the Bronx for a rivalry matchup between the Yankees and Red Sox, and manager Joe Girardi exited the home dugout to argue a blown call late in a one-run game.
"At the time, the MLB brought the boom box out and they put the headsets on," Sankey said Monday, May 11, at the Associated Press Sports Editors Southeast Region meeting at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. "I came back and said, 'We need to move towards that.' Because it took all the emotion out of the moment. Let's just get to the right answer, to the extent we're able to."
It was something Sankey saw in full during this year's Final Four, when he attended an Arizona Diamondbacks game.
"It was fascinating; it was clear," Sankey said. "It's not that long a time it's up there and you can see the penalty, ball or strike. What's amazing, for all the criticism, the variances are pretty small between what is a ball and what is a strike. And the good news is, our staff was already on it."
The ABS challenge system is an automated ball-strike system that allows players to challenge calls during the SEC Tournament.
The SEC Tournament will run from May 19 to May 24, 2026, in Hoover, Alabama.
The ABS challenge system is similar to MLB's first-year ABS review rule, which aims to enhance accuracy in ball-strike calls.
Greg Sankey is the commissioner of the SEC, responsible for overseeing the conference's operations and rule changes.

Hull City secures Championship play-off final spot with 2-0 win over Millwall

Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Leeds leaves them in a relegation fight.
Ronda Rousey unleashes on UFC exec Hunter Campbell: 'You f***ing pissed off the wrong b****'
Knicks' playoff dominance over the 76ers has New York dreaming big!
Arizona Cardinals will not play Cowboys or Eagles in Week 12 of 2026.
Byron Scott believes the Lakers need to move on from LeBron James to contend for titles.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
The SEC was already working toward implementing such a rule, Sankey said, with the lone snag he mentioned being a question from the NCAA rules committee.
"My advocacy is, we have this great track record of what I would describe (as) being on the leading edge, and making sure the homework is done and the system's implemented well," Sankey said.
At this year's conference tournament, pitchers, catchers and hitters will be able to challenge balls and strikes throughout the game with ABS. While MLB teams are granted two challenges per game and get to retain their challenge if they're successful, SEC teams will be allowed three ABS challenges. Each team will also get one extra challenge in extra innings.
The conference has also confirmed pitch location on an electronic strike zone will be displayed on the video board at Hoover Metropolitan Complex, where the tournament is being played.
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Dave Van Horn and Auburn Tigers head coach Butch Thompson shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Jake Marciano (4) pitches as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Eric Guevara (8) fields a ground ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Bristol Carter (5) makes it safely back to first base before the ball reaches Arkansas Razorbacks' Carter Rutenbar (12) as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks' Hunter Dietz (32) pitches as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Bristol Carter (5) rounds third base as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks' Camden Kozeal (8) tags out Auburn Tigers' Chris Rembert (2) at second base as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks' Carter Rutenbar (12) swings at the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Bristol Carter (5) throws the ball in as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks' Maika Niu (4) throws the ball in as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Ethin Bingaman (18) slides safely into second base before Arkansas Razorbacks' Nolan Souza (3) can get a tag as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks' Camden Kozeal (8) swings at the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Bub Terrell (19) swings at the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks' Carter Rutenbar (12) slides safely into second base before Auburn Tigers' Chris Rembert (2) can get the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks' Hunter Dietz (32) pitches the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks' Nolan Souza (3) tags out Auburn Tigers' Eric Guevara (8) on a steal attempt at second base as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Fans grill as players warm up before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Bristol Carter (5) gets pumped up before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers' Bub Terrell (19) high fives little leaguers as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Auburn Tigers players wave to the helicopter flyover before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
1 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Dave Van Horn and Auburn Tigers head coach Butch Thompson shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
1 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Dave Van Horn and Auburn Tigers head coach Butch Thompson shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
2 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Jake Marciano (4) pitches as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
3 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Eric Guevara (8) fields a ground ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
4 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Bristol Carter (5) makes it safely back to first base before the ball reaches Arkansas Razorbacks' Carter Rutenbar (12) as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
5 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks' Hunter Dietz (32) pitches as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
6 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Bristol Carter (5) rounds third base as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
7 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks' Camden Kozeal (8) tags out Auburn Tigers' Chris Rembert (2) at second base as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
8 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks' Carter Rutenbar (12) swings at the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
9 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Bristol Carter (5) throws the ball in as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
10 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks' Maika Niu (4) throws the ball in as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
11 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Ethin Bingaman (18) slides safely into second base before Arkansas Razorbacks' Nolan Souza (3) can get a tag as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
12 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks' Camden Kozeal (8) swings at the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
13 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Bub Terrell (19) swings at the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
14 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks' Carter Rutenbar (12) slides safely into second base before Auburn Tigers' Chris Rembert (2) can get the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
15 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks' Hunter Dietz (32) pitches the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
16 / 20
Arkansas Razorbacks' Nolan Souza (3) tags out Auburn Tigers' Eric Guevara (8) on a steal attempt at second base as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
17 / 20
Fans grill as players warm up before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
18 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Bristol Carter (5) gets pumped up before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
19 / 20
Auburn Tigers' Bub Terrell (19) high fives little leaguers as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
20 / 20
Auburn Tigers players wave to the helicopter flyover before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@gannett.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter. To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What Greg Sankey said about ABS challenge system at SEC Tournament