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MLB Bans iPad Dugout Tabs, Coaches Adjust Strategies

7/18/2026

Summary

MLB Bans iPads

MLB disabled iPad custom tabs in dugouts starting Wednesday night, the second half of 2026.
MLB vice president Morgan Sword sent a June 11 memo to GMs and video coordinators announcing the ban.
The memo said the tab was used for substitution suggestions, pitch calling and other coach-made decisions.
A competition-committee review found all clubs complied before the ban, giving Sword reason to say it provides lead-time for adjustments.

Summary

MLB Blocks AI

MLB officials banned a custom tab that housed third-party AI apps, while the Statcast and ball-strike system tabs remain available.
Front-office officials said the ban hampers ongoing innovation projects.
A senior research-and-development executive described the ruling as “quite the stir” within his club.
League insiders noted that AI models were being fed live game data to improve pitch-prediction accuracy.
The Athletic was the first outlet to report the AI restrictions.

Summary

MLB Tightens AI

After clubs pressed for wider AI analytics, the June 11 memo reinstated stricter oversight of custom apps on MLB dugout iPads.
The oversight follows tighter tablet rules adopted after the 2021 sign-stealing scandal.
Officials cite the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system as approved technology that supports, not replaces, human judgment.
Traditionalists argue that AI-driven substitution and pitch-calling could erode baseball’s intuition and emotional nuance.

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MLB Bans iPads

MLB disabled iPad custom tabs in dugouts starting Wednesday night, the second half of 2026.
MLB vice president Morgan Sword sent a June 11 memo to GMs and video coordinators announcing the ban.
The memo said the tab was used for substitution suggestions, pitch calling and other coach-made decisions.
A competition-committee review found all clubs complied before the ban, giving Sword reason to say it provides lead-time for adjustments.

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