Reds manager Terry Francona plans to opt out of elective participation in the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge trial during spring training, but is willing to let Cincinnati’s minor-league players accustomed to the procedure use challenges.
ABS affords pitchers, hitters and catchers an immediate objection to a ball-strike call. Major League Baseball is not fully adopting the system, which has been used in the minor leagues, this season but began a trial involving 13 total spring training ballparks on Thursday. Teams are allowed two challenges per game, which must come from on-field players and not the dugout or manager.
“I’m OK with seeing our younger kids do it because they’ve done it,” Francona said. “It’s not a strategy for (the MLB teams), so why work on it? I don’t want to make a farce of anything, but we’re here getting ready for a season and that’s not helping us get ready.”
ABS was used for the first time at Camelback Ranch in Thursday’s spring training opener between the Dodgers and Cubs.
