Robot umpires take to the field for baseball's spring training | The Excerpt

On a special episode (first released on March 21, 2025) of The Excerpt podcast: Technology and tradition are converging this spring training as AI-based umpires are tried out as part of MLB's evolution. The Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), which uses Hawk-Eye technology, a fixture in tennis matches, was rolled up from the minors into the majors for an experimental run this season. The system which accurately identifies a ball or strike but still allows players to challenge calls they feel are inaccurate, be it a strike, ball or walk. But could ABS automate the game a little too much for fans? USA TODAY MLB Reporter Gabe Lacques has seen the robot umpires in action and joins The Excerpt to share his impressions.