One questionable strike call can change the course of a World Series game. This October, players have a new way to challenge those decisions, and television viewers will have more ways than ever to see what happened.
When the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays open the 2026 World Series Friday night, Major League Baseball’s automated ball-strike challenge system will make its Fall Classic debut. Meanwhile, FOX Sports is introducing new high-resolution cameras and expanded augmented-reality technology designed to bring fans closer to the action.
Together, the developments promise a World Series in which every disputed pitch can receive unprecedented scrutiny.
Automated Strike Zone Takes Center Stage
MLB introduced its Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System during the 2026 regular season, allowing players to contest an umpire’s ball-or-strike call using computerized pitch tracking.
The technology uses 12 Hawk-Eye cameras positioned around the ballpark to track pitches and determine whether they pass through the strike zone.
Each team begins a game with two challenges. A batter, pitcher, or catcher can challenge a call immediately after the pitch by tapping a cap or helmet within approximately two seconds. Managers cannot initiate challenges.
If the technology overturns the umpire’s decision, the team retains its challenge. An unsuccessful challenge is lost.
The process generally takes about 15 seconds, with the results displayed on the stadium scoreboard and television broadcast.
Home plate umpires still make the initial calls, but the challenge system introduces another strategic decision. A player who challenges an insignificant pitch unsuccessfully could leave his team with fewer opportunities to dispute a critical call later.
That could become particularly important in a World Series featuring two clubs known for strong pitching.
James Hoye Leads World Series Umpiring Crew
Veteran umpire James Hoye, 55, will serve as crew chief for the Brewers-Rays series, MLB announced Thursday.
This will be Hoye’s third World Series assignment, following appearances in 2019 and 2022, but his first as crew chief.
The seven-member crew also includes Dan Bellino, Vic Carapazza, Tripp Gibson, Nic Lentz, Gabe Morales, and Jim Wolf.
Lentz and Morales will make their World Series debuts. Morales will work behind home plate for Friday’s opener, with Lentz at first base and Hoye at second.
The umpires will rotate assignments throughout the series, allowing a different official to work home plate each game if the championship goes the full seven games.
Bellino will serve as crew chief during Game 3, when Hoye is scheduled to be the reserve umpire.
Alfonso Marquez and D.J. Reyburn have been assigned to assist with replay reviews.
FOX Introduces New Cameras and Augmented Reality
Fans watching at home will see more than the traditional collection of broadcast angles.
FOX Sports has announced the addition of versatile 4K and 8K Nucleus cameras for this year’s World Series, along with expanded augmented-reality technology developed in cooperation with MLB.
The AR features will track pitches and swings from different perspectives around the field, giving viewers additional ways to examine the action.
High-speed cameras will capture detailed slow-motion footage, while aerial drones provide overhead views of the stadiums and playing field.
FOX is also bringing back its UmpCam augmented-reality strike zone, which offers a perspective from behind the plate, complete with an electronic strike-zone overlay.
Additional Dirt Cams, Base Cams, and microphones positioned throughout the stadium will capture close plays and sounds from the field.
Unlike MLB’s ABS system, these broadcast features do not determine official calls. Their purpose is to provide viewers with additional visual information and perspectives.
Could Technology Change the World Series?
The most significant development isn’t necessarily the number of cameras or the quality of the pictures. It’s the growing influence technology has on how baseball decisions are made and evaluated.
For years, disputed strike calls have been part of the postseason conversation, particularly when a questionable decision occurs in a pivotal moment.
The ABS challenge system gives players an opportunity to correct those calls while preserving the home plate umpire’s traditional role.
Meanwhile, FOX’s expanded coverage will allow millions of viewers to examine close plays from perspectives unavailable to fans just a few years ago.
The Brewers and Rays will still determine the championship through pitching, hitting, and defense. But when a borderline pitch arrives with the bases loaded and the game on the line, technology could have a say in what happens next.
The World Series opens Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
