The upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) is set to introduce a significant change with the implementation of a pitch clock, yet it will notably lack the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) challenge feature. While the ABS technology is poised to make its Major League Baseball debut in 2026, it will not be utilized during this spring's WBC event.
Currently, ABS technology has already been installed in major league stadiums located in Houston and Miami—two venues that will host WBC games next month. However, this technology has not been employed widely in the various countries that will participate in the tournament. Japan, for example, will see some pool-play games held at the Tokyo Dome, but players there have not had the opportunity to use the system extensively.
The only players with substantial experience utilizing the ABS are those from South Korea, where the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) employs robotic umpires to call every pitch. Given that the majority of the participating players have not acclimated to this system, WBC officials decided against incorporating any form of ABS for this year’s tournament, as MLB representatives noted that players would require more time to adjust.
This decision, while expected by teams throughout the sport, still raises some concerns. Some players will be away from their respective clubs for approximately three weeks, which means they will miss out on potentially valuable practice time to adapt to the ABS challenge system. This absence could particularly impact catchers, whose ability to effectively challenge ball-strike decisions is crucial to their teams' challenge strategies. Noteworthy catchers included in the recently announced WBC rosters are Cleveland’s Bo Naylor (representing Canada), the Yankees’ Austin Wells (Dominican Republic), Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk (Mexico), Kansas City’s Salvador Perez (Venezuela), Milwaukee’s William Contreras (Venezuela), along with Team USA's All-Star catchers — Cal Raleigh from the Mariners and Will Smith from the Dodgers.
Similar apprehensions were raised during the last WBC, which took place without a pitch clock, even though it was set to be introduced in MLB shortly after. Fast forward to now, and players globally have gained significantly more experience with the pitch clock, leading to its inclusion in this year’s tournament.
For the first time ever, the WBC will implement a pitch clock, following the same rules currently adopted in MLB. Under these regulations, pitchers will be required to throw each pitch within 15 seconds when the bases are empty and within 18 seconds when there are runners on base.
While Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) does not utilize a pitch clock, this timing mechanism has been a part of international baseball for several years now. Consequently, nearly all players participating in this year’s WBC are familiar with its operation. The Tokyo Dome has had the technology in place for an extended period, with Japanese officials experimenting with it, although it has yet to be implemented in actual league games.
Pitch clocks have also been installed at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which will serve as another venue for pool-play games next month. MLB officials will supervise the usage of the pitch clock during these matches.
The WBC kicks off on March 5, with games starting in Tokyo and continuing the next day in Houston, Miami, and San Juan. The semifinals and finals will once again take place in Miami from March 15 to 17.
