**MLB to Experiment with Robot Umpires During Spring Training 2025**

Major League Baseball is set to continue its trials with robot umpires in the 2025 spring training, as commissioner Rob Manfred announced at an owners meeting this week. The challenge system will be employed at 13 ballparks, encompassing 19 teams, with hopes for a successful trial that could extend into the regular season by 2026.

This innovative approach will hinge on an agreement with the MLB's Umpires Association, following the expiration of their Collective Bargaining Agreement on December 1. Manfred emphasized the need for collaboration, stating, "I would be interested in having it in 2026. We do have a collective bargaining obligation there. That's obviously a term and condition of employment. We're going to have to work through that issue, as well."

Over the past five years, the automated umpiring system has undergone extensive testing in the minor leagues, though perfecting the strike zone remains a key challenge. MLB plans to use the upcoming spring training to further evaluate the system, aiming to refine its parameters and address any concerns.

Manfred underscored the importance of feedback in this process, acknowledging, "There's two sides to that test. It's what the clubs think about it and also what do the players think about it? And we're going to have to sort through both of those." Both organizational and player perspectives will play a crucial role in determining the future of robot umpires in Major League Baseball.

As MLB continues to advance towards integrating technology into the game, the outcome of these trials could mark a significant shift in how the sport is officiated.