For those who went to an IronPigs game at this time last season, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday games were played using the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), while weekend games featured the “challenge system.”

Later in the season, Major League Baseball shifted all Triple-A games to the challenge system.

Under this format, the pitcher, catcher or hitter could challenge a ball or strike call made by the home plate umpire. If the umpire was correct, the team lost one of its two allotted challenges. If the call was incorrect, the ruling was reversed and the team retained its challenge.

When MLB made the change to an all-challenge format, it signaled that this approach might be the preferred system eventually adopted in the majors. MLB used the challenge system during spring training, and there’s widespread belief it will be implemented at the big-league level for the 2026 season.

The challenge system is quick, efficient and accurate — fulfilling MLB’s goal of getting calls right without slowing down the game.

There is, however, one group that prefers the ABS model: the umpires.

Many umpires see the challenge system as an opportunity to be shown up by technology. After all, fans have always relished the chance to yell at an umpire, and the challenge system often exposes missed calls.

But upon digging deeper, not that as with replay, umpires are usually correct — most calls are upheld. Second, when a call is missed, it’s usually by a razor-thin margin. The system is so precise that it can measure how far outside the strike zone a pitch is. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a pitch to miss by just 0.2 inches, with many falling just 0.4 or 0.5 inches off the plate.

And remember: these pitches are moving 80 to 100 mph with break and spin.

If the goal is to get calls right, then the full ABS system may be the best route. It consistently gets the call right and adds no time to the game. The challenge system also gets calls right, but adds about 15 seconds per challenge. The risk, of course, is that if a team runs out of challenges, a missed call in a critical moment could stand.

LOOK BACK, LOOK AHEAD … Lehigh Valley split its six-game series at Gwinnett, with most games being competitive. The IronPigs held a 32-30 edge in runs scored. The only lopsided contest was the opener, which the Pigs won 15-9 — their highest run output since last May, when they scored 16 against Rochester. Their 16 hits were the most since they tallied 19 last August against Jacksonville. The team also matched its recent high of 30 total bases, which came in that same Jacksonville game.

This week, former IronPigs fan favorite Andy Tracy returns to town as the manager of the Columbus Clippers. The Clippers lead the International League West with a 12-7 record, just a half-game ahead of both Iowa and Nashville. The IronPigs (14-7) are one game behind Jacksonville in the IL East.

Columbus features Guardians No. 2 prospect Chase DeLauter, 23, who is currently on the injured list after undergoing surgery for a bilateral core muscle injury. He isn’t expected to return until at least next month. Infielder Juan Brito, outfielder Jonathan Rodriguez, and pitchers Andrew Walters (RHP) and Parker Messick (LHP) are other notable Cleveland prospects with the Clippers.

HOT, HOT, HOT … Among hitters with at least 30 plate appearances over the last 10 games, Christian Arroyo leads the team with a .357 batting average. Buddy Kennedy is hitting .294 and Otto Kemp is at .289 over that span. Arroyo has driven in nine runs in his last seven games, while Garrett Stubbs has eight RBIs over his last 10.

On the mound, Nicholas Padilla hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven appearances, and Guillo Zuniga has put up zeroes in his last six. Devin Sweet (1.17 ERA) and Koyo Aoyagi (1.29) have both been impressive in their last seven outings, while Joel Kuhnel has posted a 1.74 ERA over his last six. Since joining the IronPigs after being released by the Marlins, Brett de Geus has yet to allow an earned run over 6 2/3 innings.

FIRST UP … Cal Stevenson became the first IronPigs player recalled to Philadelphia this season when outfielder Brandon Marsh was placed on the injured list with a hamstring injury.