'We can't see the ball': Thick fog at Wrigley Field forces delay, shuts down ABS challenge system in Cardinals-Cubs
Thick fog at Wrigley Field forced a delay in the Cardinals-Cubs game because players and cameras could not see the ball. The weather also disabled the Automated Ball-Strike system, preventing technolo
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals faced a surreal interruption during their Fourth of July matchup at Wrigley Field when thick fog rolled into
Read Full Story at Yahoo Sports →Why This Matters
The dense fog at Wrigley Field wasn’t just a logistical hiccup—it exposed the growing tension between baseball’s tradition and its slow embrace of technology. When visibility drops to nearly zero, even the most advanced systems like the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) technology falter, raising questions about the reliability of AI-driven umpiring in adverse conditions. This moment forces a reckoning: Can baseball’s hybrid approach to officiating—part human, part machine—hold up when nature refuses to cooperate?
Background Context
Wrigley Field, an iconic ballpark built in 1914, has long been a symbol of baseball’s nostalgic charm, with its manual scoreboards and lack of retractable roof. The ABS system, piloted in the minor leagues and select MLB games, relies on high-definition cameras and AI to track pitches—a technology that assumes clear visual conditions. Yet, Chicago’s unpredictable Lake Michigan weather has repeatedly disrupted games, from rain delays to this fog-induced shutdown, highlighting the limitations of modern systems in classic venues.
What Happens Next
Expect MLB to revisit contingency plans for weather-sensitive games, possibly fast-tracking infrared or radar-based alternatives to supplement ABS in low-visibility scenarios. The league may also face pressure to standardize rules around tech failures, given the Cardinals’ protest over the ABS shutdown. Meanwhile, fans and players alike will watch whether this incident accelerates the push for fully automated systems—or pushes baseball back toward traditional umpiring in weather-dependent parks.
Bigger Picture
This fog delay reflects a broader challenge in sports: balancing innovation with the unpredictability of the natural world. As leagues invest billions in AI officiating, they must grapple with edge cases where technology can’t outperform human adaptability. Baseball, a sport deeply tied to its pastoral roots, now finds itself at an inflection point—one where tradition and tech collide under the very weather conditions that once defined the game’s authenticity.
