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MLB the new ABS challenge system and catcher framing pitches.

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March 03, 2026, 06:18 PM
redstone
MLB the new ABS challenge system and catcher framing pitches.
I cannot say how much I hate the 'framing' of pitches by the catcher.

I hoped that one positive note to the new ABS challenge system would be that framing is no longer relevant but alas, they are still framing the stupid pitches.

I know some are a fan of the action but I have never seen it quantifiably demonstrated that the ump is like "oh, I guess it was a strike . . "



This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it. -Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Joshua Painter Played by Senator Fred Thompson
March 03, 2026, 06:24 PM
6guns
There's a thread about this somewhere. Tried a quick search and couldn't find it.




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March 03, 2026, 06:30 PM
vthoky
The previous thread is over here.

Smile




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March 03, 2026, 06:31 PM
6guns
Thanks, hoky! My search words were failures. Big Grin




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March 03, 2026, 06:53 PM
vthoky
Always glad to help where I can….




Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
God bless America.
March 04, 2026, 06:24 AM
Keystoner
When I umpired, I used to tell the catchers that if I saw them framing, then I assumed that they thought the pitch was a ball.



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March 04, 2026, 06:32 AM
Timdogg6
As a catcher, framing was part of the game. The trick is to do it only when necessary and close enough to be worth it. Every shitty frame is a creditability hit with the umpire. You have to help your pitcher not hurt him.

I have seen some just shit calls in the MLB, real head scratchers. I think a better system would be to let the umpire ask for the auto pitchy thing to call it for him if he isn't sure. Taking out framing is a monumental step backwards for the game.


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March 04, 2026, 09:46 AM
redstone
My post was about framing of pitches so I did not want to hijack the other thread. I just can never seem to get this right Frown

Timdogg, Yeah I agree, it is even a part of the evaluation of a catcher. But the best do it very subtly, if done well it can create the illusion that the glove was moving to the ball and disrupt where the perception of the 'catch' was made. I could easily judge where the plate dimensions were but struggled with elevation of the pitches, especially low. (there is a reason I did not ump for long).

Anyway, I would like to see less stupid calls and silly over exagerated framing.



This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it. -Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Joshua Painter Played by Senator Fred Thompson