Logo courtesy of the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds

YUBA-SUTTER, CA (MPG) - The Yuba-Sutter Freebirds will implement full Automated Ball-Strike technology for all home games during the 2026 season, becoming the first professional team to use the system for an entire season.

The system will call every pitch, removing disputes over balls and strikes while keeping the home plate umpire in place.

“This is about bringing fans closer to the game without changing the heart of it,” said Freebirds General Manager Harrison Shapiro. “The home plate umpire remains a central part of Freebirds baseball.”

Shapiro said the system allows every fan in the ballpark to see the same strike zone in real time, adding transparency to each call rather than replacing the role of the umpire.

The system, powered by TrackMan technology, determines whether each pitch passes through the strike zone and sends the call to the home plate umpire, who will continue to signal balls and strikes. Fans will also see a live strike zone displayed on the video board with pitch location and the call in real time.

The Freebirds’ move builds on testing within the Pioneer Baseball League, an MLB Partner League that has served as a testing ground for new rules and technology. Major League Baseball recently introduced a challenge system for ball and strike calls, but the Freebirds will use a fully automated version throughout the season.

League experiments have previously influenced the major leagues. The Pioneer Baseball League tested a home run derby format to decide extra-inning games, which later appeared in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

Shapiro said the goal is to improve clarity for fans while preserving the pace and structure of the game.

The Freebirds will debut the system May 19 at Bryant Field against the Long Beach Coast.

For tickets and information, visit freebirdsbaseball.com.