Mets among teams who used AI loophole with dugout iPads

Key Points:

• Major League Baseball has banned the use of artificial intelligence for in-game decisions starting Wednesday, following a June 11 memo to teams that took effect after the All-Star break.
• The Mets were among teams found to have exploited a loophole by using league-issued iPads in the dugout to assist with substitutions, pitch calling, and other decisions traditionally made by players and coaches.
• MLB’s memo, sent by executive vice president Morgan Sword, restricted access to certain custom tabs on the tablets that allowed AI-driven recommendations, while still permitting use of Statcast data, video angles, and ball-strike system information.
• The crackdown may impact teams that had begun calling pitches from the dugout, reflecting a broader league trend toward increased reliance on analytics and technology in gameplay.
• MLB confirmed no penalties were issued after a review found teams compliant with sign stealing and electronic device rules, but teams were given a month to adjust to the new restrictions on AI use.