WORCESTER, Mass. - The WooSox started a two-week homestand Tuesday night, and their game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders marked the debut of the automated ball-strike system at Polar Park. 

When a pitch is thrown, a tracking system is able to identify the pitch's location. The home plate umpire is then immediately told through his ear piece whether the pitch was a ball or strike and then makes the call on the field. 

The new ABS system will be used in the next two games to call pitches. For the final three games of the series, the home plate umpire will call the game, but each team will have the change to challenge calls by using the ABS system. 

WooSox hitting coach Rich Gedman said it will take some time to get used to, but overall night one went smooth.

"For the most part, you're sitting there looking at it going well," Gedman said. "It is what it is and we have to figure out how to deal with it. Still. the game is the game. They try to throw it over the little white plate and you try not to swing at the ones that are not on it.

"Probably the weirdest part of all of this is there was no yelling from the dugout at the umpire. I know that sounds strange but I mean, usually you have a say, or you feel like you have to say if they happen to miss a call or not miss a call."

The WooSox lost Tuesday's game 8-6. They're now 8-13 on the season and in ninth place in the International League's East Division.