Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton argues with umpire Laz Diaz over a pitch challenge during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, March 29, 2026 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
BALTIMORE (AP) – Balls and strikes are now reviewable in baseball, and that has added some drama to the first few days of the season.
You might think that with a limited number of challenges per game — and technology that’s hard to argue with — the tension would be minimal, but Minnesota manager Derek Shelton got himself ejected in the ninth inning against Baltimore on Sunday over a pitch review.
With one on and one out and Baltimore up by two, Ryan Helsley’s 3-2 pitch to Minnesota’s Josh Bell was called a ball. Helsley tapped his hat — the signal for a challenge — then did so again as if to drive the point home.
The replay showed the pitch nicking the outside corner, the call was overturned, Bell was out, and Shelton argued. He was eventually thrown out of the game and Baltimore went on to win 8-6.
Shelton told reporters afterward he didn’t think Helsley tapped his hat quickly enough.
Another game that raised eyebrows was Cincinnati’s 6-5 win over Boston on Saturday. There were eight ABS (Automated Ball-Strike System) challenges in that game with umpire CB Bucknor behind the plate. Six calls were overturned.
The Red Sox used both of their challenges by the end of the third inning. All five of Cincinnati’s challenges were successful.
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