The ABS Debate
Five veteran MLB play‑by‑play voices gathered for a Sports Business Journal roundtable to dissect the league’s Automated Ball‑Strike Challenge System and its broader implications.
Jason Benetti opened the conversation by noting the umpires’ nuanced skill in calling pitches and the strategic layer that challenges add, while Jenny Cavnar praised the drama and heightened fan engagement the system creates.
Gary Cohen, while supportive of the technology, argued that the current replay rules are inefficient and called for managers to be able to challenge calls directly, a stance echoed by Robert Ford, who also saw value in the challenge mechanism but remained cautious about full automation.
Dan Shulman added that the system’s strategic value and fan appeal outweigh occasional inaccuracies, yet he stopped short of endorsing a completely automated strike zone.
The panel also reflected on their limited access to players, coaches and clubhouse environments, citing tighter restrictions and a shift toward data‑driven storytelling over personal narratives.
Benetti and Cohen reminisced about richer clubhouse experiences in earlier years, whereas Cavnar observed an abundance of statistical information now available to journalists.
Ford and Shulman expressed a desire for deeper behind‑the‑scenes access, specifically more interaction with umpires and team meetings to better grasp game strategies.
When discussing the looming 2027 collective‑bargaining deadline, each broadcaster acknowledged the risk of a work stoppage but offered differing perspectives: Benetti likened the uncertainty to an uncontrollable thunderstorm, Cavnar highlighted the sport’s broader stakes, Cohen adopted a zen view of uncontrollable outcomes, Ford compared it to weather delays, and Shulman voiced the strongest concern over the impact on players, fans and the ecosystem.
The conversation turned to pre‑game routines, revealing a spectrum of preparation: Benetti’s open‑door booth discussions, Cavnar’s meticulous field observations, Cohen’s hours spent reviewing past games, Ford’s blend of research and physical conditioning, and Shulman’s emphasis on staying ahead of public knowledge in a 24/7 news cycle.