Major League Baseball has banned the use of artificial intelligence for in-game decision-making on dugout iPads, effective as of the second half of the 2026 season. The crackdown follows reports that the New York Mets utilized custom AI programs to assist with pitch calling and substitutions, an practice MLB deemed beyond the tablets’ intended scope.
MLB Restricts Custom AI Tools on Dugout Tablets
Major League Baseball implemented new restrictions on the use of league-issued iPads in dugouts at the start of the second half of the 2026 season. While teams maintain access to league-provided Statcast data and approved video tools, a specific “custom tab” that previously allowed teams to integrate third-party software has been disabled. According to a memo from MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword, the league determined that some organizations were using these devices beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches.
The league’s decision to limit these capabilities follows a June 11 memo sent to general managers and video coordinators. The restriction is designed to ensure that tactical decisions remain the responsibility of human personnel rather than automated algorithms.
Adam Ottavino and the Mets’ AI Usage
Public scrutiny regarding the use of AI in the dugout intensified after former Mets reliever Adam Ottavino, now an analyst for NBC, discussed the team’s internal practices during a live stream on his Baseball & Coffee
program. Ottavino claimed that the New York organization had invested heavily in an expensive AI program that gained a reputation around the league for its in-game influence.
“The Mets were actually the team, the main team, that got cracked down on. They had an AI program that was very expensive apparently and they were bragging about it a little bit early on in this—the year. 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.”
Adam Ottavino, MLB on NBC analyst
Following these reports, Mets interim manager Andy Green addressed the media on Saturday prior to a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Green maintained that the club remains within the bounds of league mandates.
“Whatever the rules are, we remain fully compliant and Major League Baseball makes those determinations.”
Andy Green, New York Mets interim manager
League-Wide Compliance and Future Enforcement
The crackdown on AI is not limited to a single organization. While the Mets were highlighted in reports as a primary user of advanced in-game technology, league officials indicated that the move was intended to establish a league-wide standard. The memo from the league office noted that a review conducted earlier this year found all clubs were compliant
with existing rules regarding sign stealing and electronic device usage, meaning no retroactive penalties were issued regarding the use of AI before the mid-season ban.
The shift has prompted reactions from across the sport, including from notable players. New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge expressed surprise at the extent to which technology was being utilized for live decision-making. As the league moves forward, the focus remains on the distinction between data-driven preparation—which remains a permitted part of the game—and real-time, AI-generated strategic recommendations. With the custom tabs now disabled across all clubs, teams must rely on traditional coaching judgment and pre-game preparation for in-game maneuvers.
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