They’re the two words that herald the coming of spring, the promise of warm sunshine and long days, the sound of bat-on-ball and the return of the boys of summer: Play ball!

This spring training will introduce a new element to the action: for the first time, MLB will employ the automated ball-strike system (ABS for short) during big-league contests. ABS is, for those unfamiliar with the concept,

Here is what every big leaguer needs to know about ABS, according to players and managers who have experience with it in the minor leagues.