The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs faced off in the first spring training game of 2025 on Thursday, showcasing some innovative new technology. The Cubs emerged victorious with a 12-4 win in the Cactus League opener, making history by utilizing an automated ball-strike challenge system, also known as a “robot ump.”
During the game, the Cubs successfully challenged a pitch call early on, turning a ball into a strike and giving pitcher Cody Poteet an advantage over Max Muncy. The process, which only took about 30 seconds, demonstrated the efficiency and accuracy of the new system.
Another challenge was attempted in the eighth inning by Frank Scalzo Jr., but unfortunately, it did not result in a favorable outcome. Despite the mixed results, Major League Baseball is using spring training as a testing ground for the robot ump technology, with potential plans for implementation in the 2026 season.
In the minor leagues, both the robot ump challenge system and a game-wide usage have been in place for years, bypassing the need for traditional home plate umpires. MLB teams are currently allotted two challenges per game, which are only lost if the umpire’s call is confirmed. Players on the field can initiate challenges immediately after a pitch, utilizing Hawkeye technology similar to Statcast.
This spring, 13 stadiums are incorporating the challenge system, covering over 60% of spring training games. While there are no immediate plans to introduce robot umpires in the major leagues this year, the successful testing and implementation in the minors suggest a potential shift towards this innovative technology in the future.