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There was a time—gather ‘round, kids—when baseball arguments were beautiful. Raw. Loud. Spit-flying, hat-throwing, manager-kicking-dirt-on-the-plate masterpieces. Now? We got hitters politely tapping their helmet like they’re ordering Uber Eats, asking a computer if that pitch was a strike.
Welcome to the ABS challenge system, where the only thing more confused than the umpire is the soul of baseball itself.
And yes, I’m looking directly at you, Rob Manfred. Oh, we’re going to talk.
WHAT EVEN IS THIS MADNESS?
For the folks just tuning in: ABS (Automated Ball-Strike system) lets players challenge ball/strike calls. A computer—yes, a literal robot with no childhood memories of backyard baseball—decides if the pitch was actually a strike.
So now instead of:
- Batter vs Pitcher
- Mind games
- Framing
- Umpire feel
We get:
- Batter vs iPad
Outstanding. Just what Major League Baseball needed—more screen time.
BASEBALL JUST LOST ITS EDGE (AND ITS MIND)
Let’s get one thing straight: baseball was NEVER meant to be perfect. It’s a game of human imperfection.
The strike zone has always been a little… creative. Some umps give you the outside corner like it’s a gift on Christmas morning. Others? You better swing at anything within three ZIP codes.
That’s not a flaw—that’s personality.
Now with ABS challenges, hitters are walking around like lawyers:
“Your honor, I’d like to challenge that pitch.”
Man, what are we doing here? This ain’t court. This is baseball. Go argue, get tossed, kick some dirt, give me a show!
IT’S ALREADY MESSING UP THE GAME
And don’t let anyone tell you “it’s too early to tell.”
Nah. We already seeing it.
1. At-Bats Are Getting WEIRD
Hitters are second-guessing everything now. Instead of reacting naturally, they’re thinking:
“Hmm… should I challenge that?”
That split-second hesitation? That’s the difference between a rocket to the gap and a weak grounder to second.
Congratulations—you just turned instincts into math homework.
2. Pitch Framing Just Got SENT TO THE SHADOW REALM
Shoutout to all the catchers who spent YEARS mastering the art of framing.
Guys who made borderline pitches look like Picasso paintings.
Yeah… that skill? Gone.
Buried.
Deleted.
Why develop a craft when a computer is just gonna say:
“Actually… no.”
You just erased a whole position’s artistry overnight.
3. UMPIRES LOOK LIKE BACKUP DANCERS NOW
Remember when umpires had authority? Presence? That “don’t mess with me” energy?
Now they’re just middle management waiting for a robot to correct them.
It’s like watching a teacher get overruled by Google mid-lesson.
Embarrassing.
THE REAL PROBLEM: THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Don’t be fooled—this ain’t about “getting calls right.”
This is about turning baseball into a tech experiment.
Today it’s ABS challenges.
Tomorrow?
- Fully automated umps
- AI managers
- Pitchers getting replaced by algorithms named “Steve.exe”
You laugh… but so did we five years ago.
ROB MANFRED: THE COMMISSIONER OF CHAOS
Let’s talk about Rob Manfred.
This man looks at baseball—a sport built on 100+ years of history—and says:
“You know what this needs? More gadgets.”
Sir.
This is not a Tesla update.
You don’t just wake up and patch the strike zone like it’s a software bug.
Baseball is supposed to feel timeless. Instead, it’s starting to feel like your phone—constantly updating and somehow getting worse.
YOU’RE KILLING THE ARGUMENTS (AND THE FUN)
One of the BEST parts of baseball?
The chaos.
The arguments.
The managers losing their minds like it’s therapy with a crowd.
Think about legends like Earl Weaver or Billy Martin—those guys didn’t need a challenge system.
They were the challenge system.
Now? A manager walks out calmly, taps his head, and we all wait for a computer verdict like it’s American Idol.
Where’s the fire??
Nobody was begging for this.
Were there bad calls? Sure.
But guess what—that’s part of the game.
You don’t fix a few missed calls by turning the sport into a tech demo.
That’s like burning your house down because the sink was leaking.
THE LONG-TERM DAMAGE IS COMING
Mark my words—this is going to get worse as the season goes on:
- Players will rely MORE on challenges
- Umpires will lose confidence
- The pace will get awkward in the wrong moments
- Fans will start arguing with computers instead of humans (which is way less fun)
And worst of all?
The game will feel… less alive.
The ABS challenge system ain’t just a rule change.
It’s a vibe killer.
A rhythm breaker.
A personality eraser.
Baseball doesn’t need to be perfect—it needs to be baseball.
Let the umps be human.
Let the players react.
Let the chaos breathe.
And somebody—ANYBODY—take the tablet away before someone tries to challenge the national anthem.
Because if this is the future?
I want a trade.
Twitter: @ErrolMarks34
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My name is Errol Marks and I’d like to tell you why I believe I can be a major asset to your station. I’m from a small town in Long Island, NY and from a very young age I’ve always had a love for sports talk radio. Growing up, I would listen religiously to shows like Mike and the Mad Dog, Mike and Mike, and Imus in the Morning and studied what made those shows so great. I’ve made it my goal to be as influential as the hosts I grew up listening to, and with my knowledge of all major sports, enthusiastic and fearless personality, and my preparation skills, I know I can get to that level. This is an art and a medium that I’m passionate about and one that I feel can never be replaced.
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