Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Umpires Association have agreed on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, pending ratification by umpires and owners next month.

 The new agreement means the testing of an automated ball-strike system during spring training next year. One of the final steps was working out specifics with the MLBUA.

 The umpires union says the contract is fair, and they will continue to work hard to build relationships with players, managers and owners into a partnership with open communications. They look forward to the continued positive growth in the game in the years to come.