We often talk about unintended consequences in a negative light. But there has been an early unintended consequence with the automated ball-strike system that is positive:
Fans are more into the game.
In an age when there is a battle to keep short attention spans fixed on the field from pitch to pitch, rather than, say, scrolling social media, the ABS has given a reason to lock in more.
You get the anticipation and discussion over whether a call should be challenged and then, when there is a challenge, the suspense, reaction and conversation afterward when it is shown on the scoreboard as a ball or strike. It is a home run for engagement.
