Real-Time Ball Judgment Confirmation Now Possible in Baseball Dugout

KBO to Provide Receivers for Simultaneous Confirmation with Umpires Starting from the 23rd

At baseball stadium dugouts, it has become possible to check the judgment results of 'ABS' (Automated Ball-Strike System) in real time.

A KBO umpire is undergoing training for the application of the ABS system. [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), starting from the 23rd, each stadium will provide a 'receiver' (earpiece) that allows umpires to check ABS judgments almost simultaneously.

KBO stated, "The receiver can be worn by any team member in the dugout, such as scorers," and added, "If the receiver's judgment sound differs from the umpire's call, a confirmation request can be made to the umpire before the next pitch. Regarding the count at the end of an inning, confirmation requests can be made within 20 seconds."

Even without a team’s confirmation request, active intervention in judgments will occur. KBO explained, "If the ABS field staff notice that a strike or ball call was incorrectly applied contrary to the receiver's judgment sound, they will actively intervene and immediately inform the umpiring crew that a correction is necessary."