Robot umpires

planned for 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s 11-man competition committee has approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System in the major leagues in 2026.

Human umpires will still call balls and strikes, but teams can challenge two calls per game. Challenges must be made by a pitcher, catcher or batter. A team retains its challenge if successful.

Reviews will be shown as digital graphics on outfield videoboards. Adding robot umps could reduce ejections, as most are related to balls and strikes. The Automated Ball/Strike System has been tested in the minor leagues since 2019. The challenge system allows for ABS without eliminating pitch framing, a skill for catchers.

This is MLB’s first major rule change since 2024.

Oklahoma State

fires Mike Gundy

(AP) — Mike Gundy, one of college football’s most colorful coaches over the last two decades, has been fired by Oklahoma State.

Gundy, who played quarterback at the school in the late 1980s, had a career record of 170-90 at his alma mater. He posted winning records every season from 2006 to 2023 but had losing records in his final two years. Gundy became head coach in 2005 and helped the Cowboys compete with better-funded programs.

However, the team struggled recently, losing 11 of their last 12 games. Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg says “we are grateful for all he did to raise the standard.”

Cubs’ 3B Shaw

attended memorial

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw insists he has no regrets about missing a game to attend the memorial for his friend Charlie Kirk, saying he had an invitation from the right-wing commentator’s widow and permission from the team to attend the event in Glendale, Arizona.

Shaw says Kirk’s widow Erika texted asking him to attend the event, and that he was “not concerned at all” about any backlash toward him for going. He says he and Kirk lived in the same apartment complex in Arizona and connected through their faith.

Kirk, a Chicago area native, would text Shaw after Cubs games. He posed for a photo with Shaw and Chicago infielder Michael Busch on the Cubs’ dugout following a game at Wrigley Field in August. Shaw missed a 1-0 loss at Cincinnati on Sunday.