Acuña's ABS challenge was denied ... but why?

The ABS system is still a work in progress for players this spring as MLB prepares to use it for the first time in the regular season. It’s even more complicated for those participating in both World Baseball Classic and Spring Training games.

Ronald Acuña Jr. attempted to use the ABS challenge system in Venezuela’s exhibition game against the Astros on Tuesday to dispute a strike call. Since the game was being played with World Baseball Classic rules, however, that request was denied, as the Classic will not use the ABS system this year.

Acuña and many other MLB players participating in the WBC will be navigating the back-and-forth of ABS in Spring Training games but will not being able to do so in the tournament. It’s just another layer to the ongoing ABS education for players as we inch closer to the regular season.