If you have been to an Indianapolis Indians game recently, you may have noticed a unique twist in how balls and strikes are being called. The team is currently testing out the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge system. This is a new approach that is catching attention across Triple-A and even drawing interest from Major League Baseball.
Here is how it works: advanced cameras track every pitch, and players (the batter, pitcher, or catcher only) can challenge an umpire’s call on balls and strikes. When a challenge is made, the system immediately displays a replay using an electronic strike zone and the pitch’s exact location.
Each team starts with two challenges per game, but only loses one if the challenge is unsuccessful. A successful challenge means the team retains its remaining challenges, creating a layer of strategy, especially in late-game, high-pressure situations.
Teams are averaging 3.9 challenges per game with a 51% success rate. This is a testament to both the system’s accuracy and the umpires’ skill. The dugouts are even equipped with iPads, allowing coaching staff to submit real-time suggestions or complaints during the game.
This isn’t just a behind-the-scenes tool, it’s part of the entertainment. When a challenge occurs the crowd gets to see the replay, complete with the strike zone overlay. It’s transparency, tech, and tension all rolled into one.
Everything. At Counterpart, we see a lot of parallels between this high-tech baseball experiment and the way we build our custom software.
Like the ABS system, our process is designed to keep those closest to the action, our clients, at the center. We don’t wait until the final inning to make changes and accept feedback. We create a feedback loop where clients can share real-time input, raise challenges, and collaborate with us through the development cycle.
Just as teams use their challenges at pivotal moments, we encourage clients to flag shifts, insights, or concerns as they arise. This leads to better outcomes, more user-aligned features, and a product that performs under pressure. It also builds transparency and trust, which are just as important in software as they are in sports.
So whether it’s the ninth-inning pitch or a third-round feature release, the lesson is the same: systems that invite feedback, and respond to it, tend to win.
We don’t just build software, we build partnerships. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, engage your users, or create a system that evolves with your team, we’re here to make it happen. With transparency, strategy, and collaboration at every step.
Let’s talk about what you need. Contact us to start the conversation.
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