‘AI’ is making Major League Baseball players shrink
The 2026 Major League Baseball season has introduced a new Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) that uses machine learning to help umpires make more accurate calls. Over 225 MLB players have adjusted their official heights downward, potentially to gain a competitive advantage with a smaller strike zone.
The 2026 Major League Baseball season has started with a new system. The Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) uses machine learning to help umpires. It watches a pitch live and determines if it's within a batter's strike zone. The system has been tested in minor leagues and South Korea. It's now live in the biggest baseball stage. Players can challenge the umpire's call of a ball or strike. The system shows where the pitch fell in relation to the batter's strike zone. The strike zone is based on the batter's height and width of home plate. Shorter players get a smaller strike zone. Over 225 MLB players have adjusted their official heights downward. Most by one inch, some by two inches, and six by three inches. This change could give players a competitive advantage. The ABS uses a batter's stated height to determine the strike zone. The implementation of ABS has created a phenomenon of the incredible shrinking Major League Baseball player.
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