Major League Baseball has prohibited the use of generative artificial intelligence on league-provided dugout iPads, a move that signals growing concerns about the technology's influence on in-game strategy. The crackdown, detailed in a memo from the commissioner's office on June 11, effectively outlaws a practice that an estimated one-third of teams had reportedly adopted.
The memo stated that teams were exceeding the original intent of the iPads by installing custom applications that offered recommendations on player substitutions, pitch calling, and other strategic decisions. The ban took effect Wednesday, marking the start of the second half of the season and giving teams a month to adjust their technological strategies.
This decision has reportedly caused frustration among some front-office members focused on innovation, with one anonymous official calling it "quite the stir." While no penalties were immediately associated with the ban, the league deemed the escalating trend urgent enough to implement a mid-season change.
"Gotta stop the cheating before there’s cheating now," one executive told The Athletic, underscoring the league's stance on maintaining competitive integrity.
MLB has provided iPads to teams since 2016, but their use became more regulated in 2021 following sign-stealing scandals. At that time, former league executive Chris Marinak stated that players would be allowed to view live, in-game video via iPads, but emphasized that the devices were fully controlled by MLB. "They can’t access the internet for browsing or social media or any other kind of functions," Marinak had said. "The iPads are completely locked down and monitored with the software that we have on there."
While live in-game video remains accessible, it is typically available with a delay, usually after an inning concludes. Despite these restrictions, some in the baseball analytics community see potential in expanded iPad use. Jack Lambert, director of baseball operations at Driveline Baseball, suggested that pitch calling could be enhanced with live scoring, enabling dynamically updating game plans. "Those plans could determine if their approach at the plate should change as they face the lineup a second (or) third time in the game, and could also be applied to live pitch-calling," Lambert noted.