As MLB tests an Automated Ball-Strike challenge system in roughly half of its spring training games in the lead-up to the 2025 regular season, at least one team won't be participating in the experiment. Cicninnati Reds manager Terrry Francona, as he told reporters on Friday, has encouraged big leaguers on his club not to utilize the challenge system, so as not to distract the team with a process it won't be able to use come regular season action.
"I'm OK with seeing our younger kids do it because they've done it," Francona said, via Field Level Media. "It's not a strategy for (the MLB teams), so why work on it? I don't want to make a farce of anything, but we're here getting ready for a season and that's not helping us get ready."
