Athletics' Mark Kotsay Rips 2-Challenge ABS System After 2nd-Inning Ejection

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 20

Friday night in Sacramento, a hot mic captured Athletics manager Mark Kotsay berating home plate umpire Dan Merzel after Kotsay was ejected in the second inning against the Angels.
Kotsay argued Merzel had already missed three pitches early and said bad calls were forcing teams to burn ABS challenges in the first or second inning.
Under MLB's new automated ball-strike challenge system, clubs get only two challenges per game, making early use a strategic risk managers try to avoid.
The exchange quickly became one of the season's standout on-field audio moments, highlighting early frustration around how ABS is changing arguments over balls and strikes.