Umpire Bill Miller's hot-mic comment captured during ABS challenge in Giants-Guardians spring training game

On March 9, 2024, during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona, between the San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Guardians, home plate umpire Bill Miller's open microphone broadcast his plea for an overturned call amid high temperatures.[1][2]

Giants left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray faced Guardians outfield prospect Sean Mooney with two outs in the top of the fourth inning. The Giants led 3-0, and Mooney represented the tying run on an 0-2 count. Miller called a low sinker from Ray a ball, prompting Giants catcher Patrick Bailey to challenge the decision.[1][2][3]

Only batters, catchers or pitchers may challenge calls under the ABS system, with challenges required almost immediately. Each team receives two challenges per game and retains them if correct.[4]

Miller announced the challenge to the crowd but said into the open mic, "Please be a strike." The ABS system upheld Miller's call, determining the pitch was over the plate by three-tenths of an inch. Mooney struck out swinging on the next two pitches.[1][2]

The ABS challenge system was used in all 2024 spring training games following years of testing in the minor leagues and Arizona Fall League. Strike zones are calibrated to each batter's height, leading to updated player height listings.[4][5]

Scottsdale Stadium, the Giants' spring training home since 1985, has a capacity of 12,000.[6]

Sources

1. MLB.com - "'Please be a strike!' Ump's call draws laughs in spring training" - March 10, 2024 - https://www.mlb.com/news/bill-miller-please-be-a-strike-audio-goes-viral
2. ESPN - "MLB umpire Bill Miller caught on hot mic pleading 'Please be a strike' during challenge" - March 9, 2024 - https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39675224/bill-miller-prays-strike-abs-review-hot-mic
3. The Athletic - "Umpire Bill Miller's hilarious hot mic moment during Giants-Guardians ABS challenge" - March 10, 2024 - https://theathletic.com/5339451/2024/03/10/mlb-spring-training-umpire-hot-mic/
4. MLB.com - "MLB introduces ABS challenge system for 2024 Spring Training" - February 29, 2024 - https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-2024-spring-training
5. MLB.com - "How the ABS challenge system works" - March 2024 (ongoing) - https://www.mlb.com/news/robotic-ump-how-abs-works
6. Scottsdale Stadium Wikipedia (reference) - "Scottsdale Stadium" - Accessed March 2024 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottsdale_Stadium