CLEARWATER, Fla. — A significant rule change is coming to MLB this season.
Teams will now be allowed to challenge balls and strikes. The catcher, pitcher and hitter are all eligible to challenge. Teams get two challenges per game. If the challenge is successful, the team gets to retain it. Umpires will still call balls and strikes behind the plate. A player will tap the top of their head after a pitch is called to signal that they are challenging. The game will pause briefly for a replay review, and the automated strike zone will determine if the pitch is a ball or strike.