Watch Mets Make MLB History with 1st-Ever Successful ABS Challenge in Opener vs. Pirates

The era of the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System has begun, and the New York Mets were the first team in major league history to benefit from it.

During the Mets' season-opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, New York challenged a called ball that Freddy Peralta pitched against Oneil Cruz. The call was overturned, turning into a strike three call to mark the first successful ABS challenge.

While the call on Thursday was the first successful ABS challenge, it wasn't the first ABS challenge in general. On Wednesday, during the Opening Day matchup between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, Yankees shortstop José Caballero challenged a strike call on starting pitcher Logan Webb's pitch in the fourth inning.

The call, which was on a pitch in the top right corner of the zone, was upheld.

Under the new ABS system, teams start with two challenges per game, but retain their challenge if it is successful. The system, in theory, should lead to more accurate calls while still allowing umpires to do most of the work.

As for how the technology works, an explanation from MLB.com describes the measures that are taken to ensure accuracy:

"The ABS Challenge System monitors the exact location of each pitch, relative to the specific batter's zone. Players can request a challenge of a ball or strike call they feel the umpire got wrong, and, when they do, a graphic displaying the result is then transmitted over a 5G network from T-Mobile's Advanced Network Solutions and nearly instantaneously shown to those in attendance via the videoboard and to home viewers via the broadcast."

The ABS isn't an entirely new concept since it has been tested in the minor leagues over the past few years, but it will still take a while to adjust to in MLB games.