Cubs pitcher Poteet wins first challenge in MLB's ABS test - ESPN

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet became the first player to challenge a ball/strike call in a major league game when he asked for a review of a fastball to Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy in the bottom of the first inning of their opening spring game Thursday.

Poteet, acquired from the New York Yankees for Cody Bellinger over the winter, thought the low fastball caught the corner of the plate, but plate umpire Tony Randazzo disagreed, calling it a ball. Per MLB rules this spring, Poteet tapped his head indicating he wanted a review, and quickly the pitch and its location were shown on the scoreboard. The call was reversed, and instead of a 1-1 count, Muncy fell to 0-2 before striking out.

«I was pretty positive it was strike and the umpire balled it,» Muncy said afterward. «I knew it was going to get overturned, and I went, 'Oh, man, I'm going to be the first one.' Great.»

Major League Baseball is testing its automatic ball and strike system for the first time during spring training after several years of using it in the minor leagues.

Instead of robots calling every pitch, teams can challenge two calls per game with the ability to retain a successful challenge. Only the pitcher, catcher or hitter can challenge a call and must do so without help from the dugout. Tapping their head is the indication they want to challenge a call.

Poteet spent time in the minors last season and so was familiar with the system.

«I thought it caught a good part of the plate,» he said. «So thought it was worth using one of them. It's nice to know that it was a strike and not to be the first one to get it wrong, I guess.»

Later in the game, Dodgers batter Sean McLain challenged a ball call, but it was upheld. That