It’s a landmark evening in Major League Baseball as the automated ball-strike challenge system, known as ABS, makes its debut in the regular season. This new technology allows batters, catchers, and pitchers to challenge the calls made by the home plate umpire, adding a fresh layer of strategy and scrutiny to the game.

This innovation means that umpires, who were once the final word on balls and strikes, will now find themselves under a brighter spotlight. While fans could always voice their displeasure, the calls themselves remained unchanged-until now. With the potential for calls to be overturned, an umpire’s performance will be under even closer examination.

As the New York Yankees face off against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night to kick off the season, all eyes will be on the man behind the plate.

The home plate umpire for this historic Yankees-Giants matchup is Bill Miller. A seasoned veteran, Miller has been a crew chief since 2014 and began his umpiring career in the American League back in 1997.

His impressive resume includes officiating five World Series, two World Baseball Classics, and two All-Star Games. Additionally, Miller has served as the President of the Major League Baseball Umpires Association.

Taking on this pivotal role, Miller is poised to be the first umpire to experience challenges against his calls. It will be intriguing to see how often his decisions withstand the scrutiny of the ABS. This game marks a significant moment in baseball history, and Miller’s performance could set the tone for how this new system will be perceived throughout the season.