Orioles Push for Advanced Technology to Resolve Foul Ball Disputes After Yankees Call

The Baltimore Orioles are advocating for upgraded technological systems to resolve fair-foul ball disputes in Major League Baseball, following a controversial call Wednesday night that went against Pete Alonso in a matchup with the New York Yankees. The deep fly ball to left field in the seventh inning was initially ruled foul and remained foul after video review, with New York ultimately winning the contest 5-3 after scoring twice in the eighth.

Alonso suggested implementing a system similar to what football uses at the goal line, where cameras and laser technology could provide a definitive overhead perspective. He noted that the replay review process requires two camera angles to overturn an umpire’s decision, yet the most critical angle—a down-the-line view—remained the only perspective that could conclusively determine fair or foul status.

Manager Craig Albernaz expressed similar frustration, pointing out that players in the dugout can access ball-tracking data on iPads that contradicted the official ruling. He highlighted that other sports and some MLB teams already employ artificial intelligence and ball-tracking technology for challengeable plays, raising questions about baseball’s reluctance to adopt comparable systems.

Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt attributed the lack of such technology to financial constraints rather than technical limitations. He characterized the absence of advanced foul-pole detection equipment in 2026 as unjustifiable, underscoring the gap between available technology and MLB’s current rulebook implementation.