Orioles call for more technology after Pete Alonso's near-homer is ruled foul vs. Yankees

August 20, 2026 - 03:31

The Baltimore Orioles are renewing their call for Major League Baseball to adopt technology for fair and foul ball calls after a pivotal moment in their game against the New York Yankees went against them. In the third inning, Yankees slugger Pete Alonso launched a deep drive down the left field line that appeared to clip the foul pole before landing in the stands. The umpires ruled it foul, and a video review confirmed the call, but the Orioles remain unconvinced.

Manager Brandon Hyde said after the game that the current system, which relies on human eyes and replay angles, is not good enough for a sport that prides itself on precision. He pointed out that the camera angles available to the crew in New York did not show a definitive angle of the ball touching the pole. The team believes that a sensor-based system or a more advanced tracking technology, similar to what is used for pitch calling, could remove any doubt.

The play proved costly. Instead of a two-run homer that would have cut into the Yankees' lead, the Orioles escaped the inning without further damage, but the frustration lingered. Several players voiced support for a change, noting that a single call in a tight division race can have huge consequences. The Orioles have been vocal before about using technology for other judgment calls, like check swings and catcher's interference. Now they want fair and foul calls added to that list.

MLB has not commented on the request, but the league has been gradually expanding automated systems. For now, the Orioles are left to wonder what might have been, and they are making it clear they want the sport to move faster into the digital age.