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Hitters, pitchers and catchers are not the only beneficiaries of the ABS challenge system. Fans benefit too.
The ABS challenge system helped Cincinnati Reds fans earn free pizza during the ninth inning of the team’s 7-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park.
When the Reds strike out 11 batters in a game, fans receive free pizza at the local pizzeria, LaRosa’s. The Reds had 10 strikeouts entering the top of the ninth inning and needed one more to win their fans a free pizza.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke celebrates with catcher Tyler Stephenson after the final out of the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won the game 7-2 in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 28, 2026. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Reds reliever Brock Burke was ahead 1-2 in the count against Colorado Rockies second baseman Edouard Julien. Burke hit a 98 mph fastball at the edge of the zone, but home plate umpire Carlos Torres called it a ball.
Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson thought otherwise and tapped the top of his helmet to initiate the challenge. When the challenge appeared on the scoreboard, Reds play-by-play announcer John Sadak set up the moment.
“Stephenson won a (challenge) tonight, can he win pizza for those in the stands?” Sadak said in the broadcast.
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A general view of Great American Ball Park during the seventh inning of the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds. in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 14, 2026. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The replay confirmed it was a strike, giving fans free pizza, and the place went crazy.
“The crowd is ready to explode. That’s a strike! It’s doing it for everyone! It’s doing it for the people,” Sadak said.
The broadcast focused on a raucous crowd celebrating their free pizza. With Burke’s strikeout in the overturned decision, all fans received a free small one-topping pizza at LaRosa’s.
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Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Brock Burke pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 28, 2026. (Katie Stratman/Image Images)
For good measure, Burke struck out the Rockies’ 12th batter to end the game and secure the victory.
With the victory, the Reds improved to 19-10 which leads the National League Central. They will face the Rockies (13-17) on Wednesday at 6:40 pm ET in the second game of their three-game series.
