Here are the best robo-ump moments from MLB Spring Training, including pitcher-vs.-batter yelling match

Modern Major League Baseball is always looking for ways to tweak the game to make it a better experience for fans. 

Recent changes have included adding the runner on second in extra innings, a pitch clock to speed up games, and a universal designated hitter, which stopped pitchers from hitting. 2026 is bringing another big change: the Automatic Balls and Strikes (ABS) system, tested in the minor leagues, will be used during this year's regular season.

Fans have long begged for a system that allows the right calls to be made, and the ABS system is the current solution. Each team begins every game with two challenges apiece. After every pitch, the pitcher, catcher and batter will be allowed to challenge a call. If they do, it uses one of their team's challenges. If the challenger is correct, their team retains that challenge. If the challenger is wrong, their team loses one of their two challenges and cannot get it back. 

There are still human umpires behind the plate, making the initial call for every pitch. While the ABS has shown how hard it can be to make the right call, it has also exposed some absolutely ludicrous calls by umpires, which shows why the system is needed. 

Here are the best robo-ump moments from 2026 Spring Training.

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Best Robo-ump Moments 2026 Spring Training

1. Umpire goes 0-5 on challenges in early part of a game

When teams start a game with two challenges apiece, it is up to them when they want to use them. It can come on any pitch that they would like to challenge. Some teams are getting used to the habit, and others save theirs for big moments. 

Spring training is a time where teams can practice ABS, but it is also a time for umpires to brush off the rust of the offseason. Mitch Trzeciak had a rough start to his day on February 24 during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox. The fourth pitch of the game was challenged by Pittsburgh, and the replay showed that Trzeciak's called ball was actually a pretty blatant strike. 

Later in the bottom of the first inning, a strike was challenged by the batter. It was ruled a ball, missing by 2.3". In the top of the second, a ball call was challenged and was ruled a strike. In the bottom of the third, a pitch was called a ball but ruled a strike. Also in the bottom of the third, a strike was called, and it was overturned, having missed the bottom of the zone by 0.5". 

In the bottom of the fourth, a pitch was called a ball and was challenged by the catcher. It missed the zone, giving Trzeciak his first correct call that had been challenged in the game. The crowd applauded his finally getting one right, but five consecutive challenged calls getting overturned was a rough look for the umpire. 

2. Ball misses the zone by smallest margin possible

While the first example showed why baseball desperately needed a review system, this moment showed exactly how hard the job of an umpire can be. Social media loves insulting and critiquing umpires for their bad misses (see above), but the umpire has to get a pass on this one. The home plate umpire called a strike, and ABS determined the ball missed the zone by less than a tenth of an inch. Even when the camera zooms in to show it, it really looks like the ball is in fact touching the strike zone. 

ABS determined this ball missed the strike zone by the width of one atom pic.twitter.com/YnxPQTpdsN

3. ABS proves its worth 

Unfortunately for Trzeciak, this is the second time that he is going to show up on this list, and it is for the same series of calls. The first call that he missed in his series, was absolutely atrocious. Before his next four challenged calls were overturned, creating a secondary viral moment, he went viral for all the wrong reasons after his first miss. 

The the naked eye the pitch looked like it was right down the middle. The review confirmed that it was down the middle and about an entire baseball's width above the bottom of the zone. The ABS review added insult to injury and proceeded to zoom in on the location showing just how much of a strike the pitch was. 

This is why ABS was invented. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/RyHmz7BFOM

4. Veteran pitcher yells at opposing prospect

Baseball is a mental game. Whenever a better thinks they can get in the head of the opposing pitcher, they try to take it. This tends to come in the form of calling time right before a pitch, but the ABS presented a new strategy. 

Philadelphia Phillies prospect Dylan Campbell took a chance during his at-bat. He had two strikes on him and took strike three down the middle. Still, Campbell decided to challenge the call, which was easily upheld due to how much of a strike it was. Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty did not take kindly to the move by the prospect and yelled Campbell's way as he left the field, per Buster Olney.