Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal made quick work of MLB's new automated strike zone challenge system during the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta, successfully overturning a call in his favor. The league tested the ABS (Automatic Balls and Strikes) challenge system for the first time in the Midsummer Classic, giving players limited chances to dispute umpire calls with an AI review. Skubal’s early win with the tech hints at how it could change the pace and fairness of the game.

Editor’s Note: Baseball’s been flirting with robot umps for years, and this All-Star Game trial run is a big step toward wider adoption. Skubal’s smooth challenge shows players adapting fast—and if it cuts down on blown calls, fans might see less arguing and more action. It’s not just about accuracy; it’s about keeping the game’s human drama while fixing its flaws.

Baseball legend John Smoltz sat down with First Things First to share his take on MLB’s experimental ball-strike challenge system—basically, a trial run for "robot umps." He didn’t hold back, weighing in on whether tech should call the shots on strikes or if human umpires still deserve the final say.

Editor’s Note: The strike zone has always been a hot debate in baseball, and now MLB is flirting with automation to settle it. Smoltz’s perspective matters because he’s a Hall of Famer who’s seen the game evolve—and his stance could sway fans and players alike on whether robots belong behind the plate.