MLB bans AI from the dugout, adjusting rules around iPad usage

A memo obtained by The Athletic, a division of The New York Times, said the commissioner’s office felt teams were using custom apps that expanded the use of iPads “beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches.”

Of particular concern was using AI to determine what pitches should be thrown.

Former relief pitcher Adam Ottavino, on his Baseball & Coffee podcast, said the crackdown was due in part to actions by the New York Mets.

“They had an AI program that was very expensive, apparently, and they were bragging about it a little bit early on in the year,” he said. “Some of the coaches that I know were talking about it from around the league and they had basically an AI program helping them pick pitches and I think some other stuff, but MLB caught wind of it and nipped that right in the butt.”

Ejected

The Mets weren’t the only team who utilized such a program. The Athletic says up to one-third of the league used iPads for this purpose. MLB’s review, however, found “all clubs were compliant” with existing rules governing sign stealing and electronic-device usage, according to the memo, so no penalties were assessed.

The memo was issued on June 11 and took effect a week ago, coinciding with the start of the second half of the season.

iPads first made their appearance in dugouts 10 years ago. In 2020, MLB began more tightly regulating their use after a sign-stealing scandal.

The devices were used to let players view live in-game video and, initially, did not allow for additional information to be added. Over time, MLB relaxed that policy and let teams customize the tablets.

Moving forward

The league is not banning iPads from the dugout, but will change how they’re used. In-game video remains available, but on a delay. Players can only watch after an inning has been completed. League-provided data will also remain accessible.

The “custom” tab that let teams store specialized data (and was seemingly where AI apps were stored) was made inaccessible with the new rules, reports ESPN.

The changes to the rules come 3.5 years after MLB made some of the most drastic changes to the game in decades, instituting a pitch timer, limiting pick-off attempts and enlarging second and third base to reduce player injuries.