In a significant move that has stirred discontent among various front offices in Major League Baseball, the league has banned the use of dugout iPads for accessing generative artificial intelligence—a trend that had been gaining traction among teams aiming to refine their in-game strategies.
A memo from the commissioner’s office, which was acquired by The Athletic, reveals that teams were bending the rules regarding technology usage by integrating custom applications that extended beyond the iPads' intended function. These apps were often utilized for making recommendations concerning substitutions, pitch selections, and other crucial in-game decisions that typically fall to players and coaches.
Sources familiar with the situation, who wished to remain anonymous, indicated that roughly a third of the league had adopted these iPads for one or more of these purposes. The memo, distributed on June 11, provided teams a window of over a month to adapt before the prohibition went into effect on Wednesday, just in time for the second half of the season starting Thursday.
This unexpected mid-season policy shift has caused frustration among front-office personnel responsible for innovative tactics. “It’s stirred quite the upheaval,” remarked a prominent member of a team’s research and development unit. Even those who typically embrace data-driven approaches within clubs view the increasing reliance on technology for decisions like pitch calling and player replacements with skepticism.
MLB appears to share these concerns. An internal review suggested that all clubs adhered to existing rules against sign stealing and electronic device usage, meaning the ban would not result in any disciplinary action. Nevertheless, the urgency of the issue prompted the league to enforce a ban during the season to restrict the rise of these applications.
One executive noted, “We need to prevent the potential for cheating before it starts.”
The league opted not to comment further, directing inquiries to the memo issued by Morgan Sword, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations. The players’ union also refrained from making a statement.
The introduction of league-issued iPads in dugouts dates back to 2016, with stricter regulations implemented in 2020 following a series of sign-stealing scandals that shook the sport.
During a March 2021 announcement, former MLB executive Chris Marinak stated, “For the first time, players will have access to live in-game video on an iPad in the dugout or bullpen.” He emphasized that these devices were regulated by the league to limit their functionality strictly to MLB-approved applications, ensuring no internet access for social media or browsing.
While teams were always permitted to view delayed in-game video, usually after an inning, rules also prevented non-field personnel from entering the dugout, aiming to limit the real-time input that could be accessed through the iPads.
However, teams have increasingly sought to have more flexibility over the iPads’ functionalities. Players and coaches expressed the desire for customizable features, and the league had previously allowed these modifications. As of this season, the iPads provided teams with data organized into three categories: MLB-provided Statcast data with various video angles, details from the Automated Ball-Strike System, and a "custom tab" full of team-specific analytics akin to traditional binder compilations, including matchup information and player tendencies.
Going forward, while teams may still upload static data available prior to the game, all uploads will be subject to MLB review, according to the memo.
The focal point of the controversy seems to be pitch-calling from the dugout, one of the applications the league appears intent on limiting.
The Athletic consulted numerous players, general managers, coaches, and analysts about the ban, many of whom were not authorized to discuss proprietary team strategies. A common consensus revealed that some teams were using real-time game data to refine their AI models, enhancing their ability to anticipate and recommend pitches.
Jack Lambert, director of baseball operations at Driveline Baseball, highlighted the strategic advantages of AI in pitch-calling. He explained, “With live scoring, teams could log pitch types and locations, dynamically updating their strategies as the game progresses.” This approach could inform adjustments in their batting strategy as the lineup cycles through.
While the exact number of teams utilizing the iPads for pitch-calling remains unclear, the practice of relay-pitching from the dugout—rather than relying solely on catchers or pitchers—has been on the rise. The Miami Marlins have been at the forefront of this trend, which has been picked up by several other teams. Reports indicate that around six clubs are now “suggesting pitches” from the dugout.
The league's measures to limit live in-game data availability indicate a heightened concern over technology’s impact on gameplay decision-making. As a result, teams will need to revert to pre-game data analysis for their strategies. For fans, this means that blame for any on-field miscalculations will still rest on the shoulders of human managers, at least for the time being.
