Major League Baseball has effectively banned the use of generative artificial intelligence tools on dugout iPads, shutting down a growing practice where teams used custom apps to shape in-game strategy in real time.
The ban, which took full effect Wednesday after the All-Star break, prohibits teams from accessing AI-powered recommendations on substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches. The league issued a commissioner’s office memo on June 11 giving teams roughly a month to adjust before enforcement began.
How Teams Were Using AI in the Dugout
MLB-issued iPads have been a fixture in dugouts since 2016, but their use became more tightly regulated after the sign-stealing scandals of 2021. The devices feature three primary tabs: one for MLB-provided Statcast data and video angles, another for automated ball-strike system data, and a third custom tab where teams could install their own applications.
It was this third tab that drew the league’s attention. According to a memo obtained by The Athletic and confirmed by multiple outlets, some teams had begun installing custom apps that leveraged generative AI to analyze live game data and offer strategic recommendations. As many as one-third of MLB teams were reportedly using the iPads for these purposes, pushing the technology “beyond their originally intended purpose,” the memo stated.
Aerial view of a baseball stadium — the dugout iPad controversy has put technology policy at the center of America’s pastime.
A Preemptive Strike Against AI-Driven Cheating
The league’s review found that no teams had actually broken existing rules governing sign stealing or electronic-device usage. Instead, the ban appears to be a preemptive measure.
“Gotta stop the cheating before there’s cheating now,” one front office executive told The Athletic.
Another high-ranking official said the decision “caused quite the stir” among front-office members tasked with innovation. The move was notable for its mid-season timing, signaling the league’s urgency in addressing the technological creep.
Limited Access, Not a Total Ban
The new restrictions do not eliminate dugout iPads entirely. Players and coaches can still access MLB-provided Statcast data and video feeds, though in-game video remains on a delay — typically available only after an inning ends. What is prohibited is the third-party custom application tab that enabled AI-powered analysis and decision-making during live games.
The league’s stance echoes broader concerns across professional sports about the role of AI in live competition. As generative AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, governing bodies are increasingly forced to draw lines between acceptable analytics and unfair technological advantages.
Industry Reaction
The decision has sparked debate within baseball circles. Some see it as a necessary safeguard for the integrity of the game, while others view it as a step backward for innovation.
Jack Lambert, director of baseball operations at Driveline Baseball, noted that AI-powered pitch-calling tools could offer legitimate strategic value. “With someone live-scoring the game, teams could chart pitch type and location to get dynamically updating game plans,” he told the New York Post.
For now, however, the message from the commissioner’s office is clear: when it comes to in-game strategy calls, the decision-making stays with the humans in the dugout — not the algorithms on the iPad.
What’s Next
The ban does not carry specific penalties, but the league has made clear it will monitor compliance closely. As the second half of the season gets underway, teams that had been relying on AI tools will need to adapt quickly — a reminder that in baseball, as in tech, the rules are still being written.