MLB Limiting iPads in Dugouts to Stop AI from Influencing Strategy Decisions

MLB to Limit iPad Usage in Dugouts to Curb AI Influence

Major League Baseball is set to limit the use of iPads in dugouts as a measure to prevent teams from utilizing artificial intelligence in their strategic decisions.

Former Mets reliever Adam Ottavino mentioned that the team’s previous reliance on technology prompted MLB to take action against iPad use. He noted that these devices allowed players and coaches to access video and data provided by the league, along with additional custom tabs for various programs.

Ottavino, who played for the Mets between 2022 and 2024, shared on a livestream that the former owner, Steve Cohen, invested in AI software that led to these restrictions. “The Mets were really at the center of this,” he remarked, referring to the team’s significant investment in a costly AI program that had been touted for aiding pitch selection and other tactical decisions.

“MLB caught wind of it and stepped in to put a stop to it,” Ottavino added. “They weren’t the only ones, but I was aware of it through the Mets. It seems they put a lot of money into this project—rumor has it the software cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Yankees captain Aaron Judge also shared his surprise, expressing disbelief after reading an article about AI in baseball. “I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Teams are making decisions based on AI? That’s pretty wild,” he said.

Beginning this week, as the second half of the season kicks off, MLB teams will lose access to these custom tabs. In a memo sent to general managers and assistant GMs on June 11, MLB Executive Vice President Morgan Sword noted that teams had overstepped the original purpose of iPads.

“In many cases, the custom tabs expanded the use of the dugout iPad beyond its original intended purpose to include recommendations for substitutions, pitch calls, and other decisions traditionally made by players and coaches,” Sword stated.