Pete Alonso’s recent deep fly ball brushed the foul pole and was called foul, a ruling that sparked immediate debate among fans and players.
A disputed call in the spotlight
The incident underscores how even a split‑second judgment can hinge on the exact position of a ball relative to a pole, a detail that is hard to capture with conventional camera angles.
MLB officials said they reviewed the play but found insufficient video evidence to overturn the decision, and they warned that adding new technology for foul‑pole reviews is unlikely in the near term.
Experts note that Hawk‑Eye systems used above the pole can be affected by wind and estimation errors, making precise ball‑path data unreliable.
While the Automated Ball/Strike system is being tested in the minors for checked‑swing challenges, it does not address the specific problems of foul‑pole judgments.
Commissioner‑level discussions have touched on the need for better cameras or laser tools, but league executives say development hurdles and cost considerations keep the idea on the back burner.