NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Major League Baseball’s Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) arguably had its best moment Saturday afternoon in spring training.
In a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, Robbie Ray faced Sean Mooney, who was at the plate as the tying run in a 3-0 game and an 0-2 count with two outs in the top of the fourth.
Mooney took a low sinker that was called a ball by home plate umpire Bill Miller, but catcher Patrick Bailey challenged the call.
Only a batter, catcher or pitcher may challenge calls, and the challenge must be almost immediate. Each team gets two and keeps the right challenges.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
MLB umpire Bill Miller during the first inning of a game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Reggie Hildred/USA Today Sports)
Miller announced to the crowd that the Giants challenged the call to get out of the inning, but he accidentally left his microphone on, causing a hilarious misstep.
“Please be a strike,” Miller said before quickly realizing that everyone had just heard him. Bailey also had a pretty hysterical reaction.
Miller actually believed his call was wrong, but it was over 100 degrees in Scottsdale, so maybe Miller just wanted to cool down.
MLB umpire Bill Miller during a New York Mets game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
GUARDIANS PITCHERS EMMANUEL CLASE, LUIS ORTIZ NO LONGER GETTING PAID AS THEY AWAIT GAMBLING PROGRAM: REPORTS
Miller didn’t get his wish. His call was three-tenths of an inch correct. Two pitches later, Mooney hit a swing and everyone was able to cool down for a moment.
The ABS system was implemented in last year’s spring training after years of experimentation in the minor leagues and the Arizona Fall League, and it will finally be brought to the regular season this year.
The system provides some interesting nuances because the strike zones will be based on each batter’s exact height, causing a lot of changes in the stated goals of several players.
Home plate umpire Bill Miller gestures during the 10th inning of a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park. (Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)
The Giants host the New York Yankees on Wednesday, while all other 28 teams open their seasons the next day.
