Lidom revolutionizes winter baseball with the implementation of the ABS system
The Dominican Professional Baseball League (Lidom) will mark a turning point in its history by integrating the Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system starting next winter tournament. This technological tool arrives to optimize the accuracy of umpire decisions regarding the strike zone, raising the level of competition and sports fairness on the field.
Charles Sánchez, head of the technical and broadcasting department, confirmed that this advancement has the direct support of Major League Baseball (MLB). The necessary infrastructure has been connected to the Trackman platform, allowing the system to synchronize perfectly with both mobile broadcasting units and the giant screens in each stadium.
Technological innovation at the service of the fan
The fan experience will be one of the most benefited aspects. As Sánchez detailed, every time a player requests a challenge, the technology will project the trajectory of the pitch on the stadium screens, allowing both those present at the ballpark and television viewers to know the result of the review instantly.
We are working with the support of MLB, updating the software to have the system in all stadiums, integrating them into local mobile units and stadium screens.
Charles Sánchez, head of the technical and broadcasting area of Lidom
Gradual implementation and operation of the challenge
In this first stage, the use of ABS will be strictly limited to the review of pitches at home plate. The inclusion of advanced metrics, such as exit velocity, batted ball tracking, or home run distance, is in future plans, as they require greater operational and personnel capacity at the stadiums.
The system’s operation is based on a challenge model, similar to the one used in organized baseball in the United States. The technology does not replace the home plate umpire, but rather functions as a support tool to rectify decisions when players (batters, pitchers, or catchers) decide to request a review. Teams will have a limited number of challenges, which they can retain as long as the original decision is overturned.
Currently, the technical team is in the final testing phase, ensuring that the configuration and interconnection of all equipment are ready for the highly anticipated start of the season this Friday.
