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USA Edges Dominican Republic, Advances to WBC Final

3/17/2026

45 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in World Baseball Classic semifinal on March 15, 2026, advancing to its third final.
The game ended with a disputed full-count strike call against Geraldo Perdomo by umpire Cory Blaser.
Perdomo argued the pitch was a ball.
A prior strike against Juan Soto drew criticism, fueling calls for the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system.
Team USA will face Italy or Venezuela in the final.

History

Historical Context

Major League Baseball (MLB) introduced the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system in the Atlantic League during its 2019 All-Star Game, aiming to improve officiating accuracy. This technology, which reduced missed calls by 50%, reflects ongoing debates about umpire reliability. The recent disputed strike call in the World Baseball Classic highlights the potential for ABS to reshape baseball officiating and ensure fairer outcomes in critical games.

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Story summary

Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in World Baseball Classic semifinal on March 15, 2026, advancing to its third final.
The game ended with a disputed full-count strike call against Geraldo Perdomo by umpire Cory Blaser.
Perdomo argued the pitch was a ball.
A prior strike against Juan Soto drew criticism, fueling calls for the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system.
Team USA will face Italy or Venezuela in the final.

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