Innovation in the Minor Leagues: Daktronics Integrates ABS with Game-Day Presentations

To start, what is ABS?

ABS is short for “Automatic Balls & Strikes,” a fully automatic way to call pitches using a virtual strike zone based on a player’s height while using cameras mounted above home plate. This connects to an earpiece worn by the home plate umpire. There are two modes for ABS implementation into baseball games.

Mode 1: Fully Automatic

In this mode, the earpiece tells the home plate umpire the call and the umpire relays the call out loud for everyone to hear. This may look like the umpire is making the calls, but it is really the ABS system. Everyone involved in the game, including the fans, will know that ABS is being used but the umpire is still critical for all the other calls on the field that remain the home plate umpire’s responsibility.

Mode 2: Challenge Mode

This is where everything in the game continues as it once did. The home plate umpire makes the call for balls and strikes, but the current batter and pitcher have the ability to challenge the call. This works much like other replays. The call can then be corrected based on information from the ABS system.

One thing to note on this mode, to protect the integrity of the home plate umpire’s judgment and pitch-calling abilities, the result of a challenge might not be shown for everyone to see.

How does Daktronics work with ABS?

Major League Baseball has created a graphic that integrates with the ABS system for use on video displays as part of the game-day presentation. And that’s where Daktronics comes in. Our control systems are capable of integrating with the ABS system to share graphics on the display as another data window carved out in the in-game display presentation.

This works through our DMP-8000 series web page playback feature. It’s an already-existing feature in our control systems and no additional equipment is required to make this happen. Operators can simply use the Layout Editor in Venus Control Suite to designate a zone for the graphic on the display. This also allows for creating and managing multiple layouts within Layout Editor to switch between ABS modes, if necessary.

Is ABS currently in use today?

Yes, Minor League Baseball is currently using ABS in Triple A league play as well as leagues in Florida. These teams and venues are already leveraging Daktronics' always-advancing control technology at their ballparks to incorporate this new development and share the experience with their fans.

How is it going in those leagues?

“I had no idea how we were going to get this, basically, internet page to our display, but we worked with our control system specialist to create a relatively easy and foolproof way to make this happen using our Daktronics video system.

“This system has been a huge hit with fans and players alike,” said Cole Wilkie, Memphis Redbirds manager, marketing and promotions. “After almost every pitch we will see players from both teams quickly turn their heads to our left field fence to see where that ball was in the zone.

“Fans also enjoy seeing where the pitch was as they have a better understanding of how the strike zone works and are able to feel more connected to the game. They, in real time with the players, are seeing every pitch and location, and you can hear the reaction to a close ball or strike in critical counts with the player reacting at the same time. It brings a level of cohesion because the reactions are simultaneous.

“This has been a very positive and engaging addition to our in-game entertainment. Fans and players alike have enjoyed the new open feel to the game.”

What should I do if I want to add ABS to my game day?

Visit this web page for more information on how to integrate ABS into your Daktronics system. If you would like help with configuring your system or getting set up at your ballpark, email professional.services@daktronics.com or your regional Daktronics applications engineer.