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Albert Pujols is embracing baseball’s technology-driven changes, arguing that a new way to challenge ball-and-strike calls could give players another chance when a game is on the line.
The former MLB All-Star joined FOX Business’ Stuart Varney on “Varney & Co.” to discuss the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System, which allows batters, pitchers and catchers to contest ball-and-strike calls, and how changes to the game could benefit fans.
The system gives batters, pitchers and catchers a way to challenge an umpire’s ball-or-strike call rather than leaving a potentially pivotal decision unchanged. For Pujols, who finished his career with 703 home runs, its appeal is especially clear in the final moments of a close game.
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“I love it,” Pujols said, “I didn’t play… My career with it but now covering in baseball and watching some of the guys taking a chance and opportunity what I love the most is that there might be a chance in the bottom of the ninth and they might call strike on you… And you might get a chance to come back… And probably win so it’s a second opportunity.”
Pujols acknowledged that challenges can put umpires in a difficult position, but he connected the latest change to baseball’s broader push to improve the pace of play. He pointed to the pitch clock as another adjustment that initially drew questions but has helped shorten games.
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“We put the umpires in a tough situation… But this is where we are in baseball right now,” he said. Later, discussing the changes and their effect on spectators, he added, “This is great for baseball.”
