Major League Baseball uses technology to confirm or overturn balls and strikes, but Pete Alonso and the Baltimore Orioles are questioning why similar systems aren't used for foul pole calls. During Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees, Alonso's deep fly ball in the seventh inning was ruled foul and the call was upheld on review, despite at least one replay suggesting the ball may have been fair. The incident occurred with the score tied at 3-3, and the Yankees eventually won 5-3 after scoring twice in the eighth inning.

Alonso suggested using technology similar to football's pylon camera, while manager Craig Albernaz expressed frustration that ball-tracking data available on dugout iPads contradicted the official ruling. "It's 2026," Albernaz said. "There are teams using AI on the iPads and other sports use ball-tracking data for challengeable calls. Don't understand why we don't do it."

Baltimore pitcher Chris Bassitt criticized what he called the "literally crazy" lack of technology, blaming financial considerations. "Because it would cost money," he said. "That's it. I mean, that's literally it."

MLB currently requires two camera angles to overturn a foul pole call, but the best perspective—the view straight down the line—often isn't available from multiple angles, leaving teams and fans questioning the accuracy of crucial game-changing decisions.