Pros and cons of MLB's ABS challenge system: New layer of drama has been added

That roar was louder than the two home runs the Reds hit that afternoon. 

Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton losing his mind and getting ejected because he did not think Ryan Helsley challenged a pivotal pitch soon enough was the type of argument you might not have thought possible under this system.

There is also a new layer of strategy added to the games as players have to selectively pick and choose when they challenge pitches, especially if they have already lost a challenge. 

Fans love drama. They love excitement. This has the potential to bring all of it in new ways. 

Con: Umpire reputations will take an even bigger hit

While this is incredibly exciting for fans, and while it could have huge benefits for teams and players, this could create a long year for some umpires. Especially the umpires who are already under fire for their calls on balls and strikes.

You could tell CB Bucknor was feeling the stress when Suarez challenged all of those pitches as part of what turned out to be a really difficult day behind the plate for him.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone watched his team win several challenges on Monday night, resulting in him still giving it to home plate umpire Mike Estabrook for not doing a better job, forcing his team to challenge.

The K-Zone on TV broadcasts really put umpires into a pressure cooker with fans. This is only going to add to it, and it is only going to further drive home the reputations some umpires have. It is not going to be kind to them. 

Pro: More accuracy and consistency 

At the end of the day, players just want some sort of consistency, they want the right calls and they do not want umpire decisions or calls to impact games. We saw what happened in the World Baseball Classic when the ABS system was not in place for a pivotal strike three call. 

The technology is there. It makes sense to use it. 

Con: Does it provide enough accuracy and consistency?

The question now becomes, if it works so well, why not just use it for every pitch and eliminate all of the subjectiveness that still exists? Why not just put an earpiece in the umpires ear, have it radio in what the pitch is and have them relay the call? Eliminate the challenge system entirely and bring full consistency into the mix. 

It would eliminate any inconsistencies that still come from the subjective nature of ball-and-strike calls that are not challenged (the umpire's call) and the scientific strike zone the ABS system provides on challenged calls. Those strike zones can be very different and produce very different and very inconsistent results. Just bring it all together.