The debate about automated balls and strikes continues to be a hot one, and it seems it’s coming to the majors sooner rather than later.

The thought was unimaginable even within the last decade, but as technology has improved, interest has increased.

Automated strike zones were a hot topic on an episode of the now-defunct “Real Sports” on HBO in 2017, but Major League Baseball finally acted in 2019.

The automated balls and strikes (ABS) system started on an experimental basis and, beginning last year, has been used at all Triple-A ballparks.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted the change is coming to the big leagues, but he made some telling comments Thursday.

“There’s a growing consensus, in large part based on what we’re hearing from players that the challenge form should be the form of ABS, if and when we bring it to the big leagues, at least as a starting point,” Manfred said, via The Athletic.

Officials in all sports have come under more scrutiny as replays have become more prevalent.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. speaks to the media during the spring training Cactus League media day at Arizona Biltmore Feb. 15, 2023, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Manfred has been at the forefront of major changes to baseball, most notably those he made ahead of the 2023 season to quicken the pace of play by adding a pitch timer, larger bases and pick-off limitations.

And they have worked.

According to Baseball Reference, the average nine-inning game last year took two hours and 39 minutes to complete, more than 31 minutes faster than the record 3:10 in 2021. It was the first time the average nine-inning game took less than three hours to complete since 2015, and the 2:39 duration was the fastest since 1985, when the average nine-inning contest took the same amount of time. This year, games last two hours and 35 minutes on average. 

Only 0.4% of games took over 3½ hours, as opposed to 18.7% in 2021. And 30.5% of games in 2023 took less than 2½ hours versus 2.5% three years ago.

An umpire picks up a ball during the second inning between the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards April 22, 2023, in Baltimore.  (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The rule changes also led to an increase in attendance despite cries from fans that the game was changing too much. MLB drew 70.7 million fans to its stadiums in 2023, the most since 2017.

Manfred said he will retire from his role after his contract expires in 2029.

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Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese had a statement game Thursday against the New York Liberty, contributing 13 points and nine rebounds to her team’s 90-81 win and going viral during the game for picking the pocket of reigning WNBA MVP Brenna Stewart

After the game, Reese took to X (formerly Twitter) to make a different kind of statement.

“And that’s on getting a WIN in a packed [arena] not just cause of one player on our charter flight. #SKYTOWN,” the former Louisiana State star wrote after her team improved to 2-1 while dropping New York to 4-1.

The since-deleted post seems to be a commentary on the notion that WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever alone deserves the credit for the recent surge in popularity of women’s basketball and for the WNBA’s decision to use league-wide charter flights for the first time this season.

That idea came up on Wednesday’s episode of LeBron James and JJ Redick‘s “Mind the Game” podcast.

“I don’t want to call it hatred, but there’s definitely, like, a dislike or a vitriol coming her way [from] other players,” Redick said of Clark.

James said: “The one thing that I love that she’s bringing to her sport, more people want to watch. More people want to tune in. I saw for the first time that they had a chartered plane, for the first time in their league history they flew private. That should be celebrated in its own right. For anyone in sports that’s flown commercial or flown charter, that should be celebrated. And it’s because of Caitlin Clark.

“Don’t get it twisted, don’t get it f–ed up. Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things is gonna happen for the WNBA.”

On TNT’s coverage of the NBA’s Western Conference finals Wednesday night, Charles Barkley said James was “100% right” with his comments and called out WNBA players who are acting “petty” toward Clark.

“Y’all should be thanking that girl for getting y’all ass private charters, all the money and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA,” Barkley said. “Don’t be petty like dudes. Listen, what she’s accomplished, give her her flowers.”

Before her game Thursday, Reese talked to reporters about the idea that “just one person” is responsible for the current success of the WNBA and listed a number of players — herself and fellow Sky rookie Kamilla Cardoso and Sparks rookies Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson — who are also having a positive impact on the women’s game.

“It’s not just one person, I think people don’t realize that [because] the narrative out there is that just one person changing the game. It’s a lot of us — me, Kamilla, there’s Cameron, Rickea. There’s so many great players and it’s been long overdue and just being able to see that our impact has been able to change the game.

“I love it for us all and we’re just going to continue to keep going.”

In her post, Reese mentioned the packed arena for the Sky-Liberty game. There was definitely a large crowd of more than 12,000 fans at Barclays Center that night, but it should be noted that more than 17,700 were there May 18 when the Liberty hosted Clark and the Fever.

“WNBA getting packed arenas is amazing to see ! let’s just talk about that!” former NBA star Dwight Howard wrote in response to Reese’s now-deleted post.

Reese is averaging 12 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists. The WNBA noted on X that she is only the third WNBA player to have 15 or more offensive rebounds after just three games, joining Natilie Williams and Yolanda Griffith, both of whom were rookies in 1999.

Clark is averaging 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists for the 0-5 Fever, who play the Sparks on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Travis Kelce became the latest Kansas City Chiefs’ player to take a stance in defense of Harrison Butker’s character on Friday amid heavy scrutiny the kicker faced following his commencement speech at a Catholic college in Kansas earlier this month. 

The veteran tight end addressed the topic during the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast, with his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. 

“I’ve known him for seven plus years, probably, eight plus years. And I cherish him as a teammate,” Kelce said of Butker, who he calls “Harry.” 

“I think Pat [Mahomes] said it best where – he is every bit of a great person and a great teammate. He’s treated friends and family that I’ve introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness, and that’s how he treats everyone.”

Butker, and by association the Chiefs, have come under the spotlight since his speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, on May 11. In speaking about his views as a Catholic, Butker made references to various topics, including abortion and the LGBTQ community. Speaking directly to female graduates, he spoke about the importance of being a homemaker, which he called “one of the most important titles of all.” 

Kelce admitted to disagreeing with the “majority” of the speech, but he added that he has no interest in judging anyone based on their “religious views.” 

“When it comes down to his views and what he said at the St. Benedictine’s commencement speech, those are his. I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids, and I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views of how to go about life. That’s just not who I am.”

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, #87, celebrates with place kicker Harrison Butker, #7, after Butker kicks the game winning field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.  (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

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Speaking from his own experience being raised by two working parents, Kelce expressed appreciation for all “walks of life.” 

“My mother and my father both provided for our family. And both my mother and my father made home what it was. So they were homemakers, and they were providers, and they were unbelievable at being present every single day in my life. And I think that was a beautiful upbring for me.”

“Now, I don’t think everyone should do it the way my parents did, but I certainly and sure as hell thank my parents and love my parents for being able to provide and making sure that home was what it was,” he added.  

Donna Kelce and Ed Kelce Jason Kelce, parents of Jason and Travis Kelce, take the stage before their sons are presented with diplomas at their alma mater, University of Cincinnati. The brothers both earned degrees but never participated in graduation ceremonies. (Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Jason Kelce echoed that sentiment, adding that one of the most important takeaways was the importance Butker placed on the family dynamic. 

“I don’t think we have enough people talking about the foundations of families and the importance of and the seriousness of parenthood,” Jason said. “If you are going to embark on being a parent, I do think it needs to be the most important thing in your life.” 

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