World Baseball Classic to Forego Automated Strike Zone, Embrace Pitch Clock in 2024
The 2024 World Baseball Classic will not feature the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), despite its installation in several major league parks, but will mark the debut of the pitch clock in the international tournament.
Despite growing anticipation for the potential arrival of an automated strike zone in Major League Baseball by 2026, officials have decided against implementing the technology in this year’s World Baseball Classic, which begins March 5. The decision stems from a lack of widespread familiarity with the system among participating players, particularly outside of Korea, where the KBO League already utilizes “robot umps” for every pitch.
ABS technology is currently installed in the stadiums hosting WBC games in Houston and Miami, but its absence from most competing nations – including Japan, where games will be held at the Tokyo Dome starting in three weeks – proved decisive. “Players haven’t had sufficient time to get comfortable with it,” a senior MLB official stated, explaining the rationale behind the decision.
The delay, while unsurprising to many within the game, does present a minor challenge for teams. Several players will be away from their MLB clubs for approximately three weeks, potentially missing valuable opportunities to acclimate to the challenge system. This is particularly relevant for catchers, whose ability to successfully challenge ball-strike calls will be a critical component of most teams’ strategies.
Notable catchers participating in the WBC include Cleveland’s Bo Naylor (Canada), the Yankees’ Austin Wells (Dominican Republic), Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk (Mexico), Kansas City’s Salvador Perez (Venezuela), Milwaukee’s William Contreras (Venezuela), and Team USA’s All-Stars, Cal Raleigh of the Mariners and Will Smith of the Dodgers.
However, the situation mirrors concerns surrounding the last WBC, which took place without a pitch clock despite its impending debut in MLB. That concern has largely dissipated, as players globally have gained significant experience with the timer.
In a significant shift, the 2024 WBC will feature a pitch clock, mirroring the rules currently in place in MLB. Pitchers will have 15 seconds to deliver a pitch with the bases empty and 18 seconds with runners on base. While Japan’s NPB does not currently employ a pitch clock, the technology has been tested at the Tokyo Dome, and most players participating in the tournament are already familiar with its operation through international play.
Pitch clocks have also been installed at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, another host site for WBC pool-play games, and will be overseen by MLB officials.
The World Baseball Classic schedule kicks off on March 5 with games in Tokyo, followed by contests on March 6 in Houston, Miami, and San Juan. The semifinals and final will be held in Miami from March 15-17.
