New York named as Major League Baseball cracks down on AI use in dugouts

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

Major League Baseball announced last week that they would be cracking down on the use of AI, adding restrictions to the iPads and technology allowed in dugouts during games. The decision came after multiple major teams were found to be using the custom tab on their league-issued technology for real-time AI feedback, possibly prompting in-game decisions.

It was expected and shouldn’t come as a surprise that teams have been utilizing AI, there are endless uses for the technology to filter through statistics, track and map trends, and much more. Still, the thought of using it for real time coaching decisions is baffling.

While they may be great at tracking and filtering through information, computers have no experience in throwing curveballs or turning a double play. Without a human element, the game begins to lose its grasp on reality. At the end of the day, baseball is played on dirt and grass, not circuit boards and wires.

“The Mets were actually the main team that got cracked down on,” said former pitcher Adam Ottavino. “They had an AI program that was very expensive and were bragging about it early in the year. From what I heard this program was a few hundred thousand dollars to have.”

Ottavino’s comments bring more unwanted attention to an embarrassing 2026 campaign for New York. It’s one thing to overspend on new technology, but to do so while also fielding the second most expensive roster in the league demands results far greater than this team has provided.

The Mets limped into the All-Star Break with a 42-59 record, the second worst mark in the National League… and the second highest payroll behind Los Angeles – who are well on track to win the NL West as they defend back-to-back World Series titles.

The Mets have expressed a desire to shape their team like the Dodgers, but still in their 6th season under new owner Steve Cohen, the contrast between the two franchises couldn’t be more stark.

In their quest to lead the league in innovation, New York has failed to lead the league in ERA or runs – the parts of the game that ultimately matter the most day in and day out. Instead of building off of a solid core, the Mets have forced change a little too often for their own good. They moved on from Pete Alonso only to fail to replace his production. They allowed the Dodgers to poach Edwin Diaz only to falter late in games time and time again.

This season of Mets baseball was over long ago, but there’s still a few months of ball to be played. While there’s no hope of a late playoff push, there is still plenty to be learned as the Mets approach a complicated trade deadline as sellers before trying to escape the National League’s basement in the second half of the year.

Fans can only hope that AI won’t be pulling any strings with the 2026 trade deadline coming up in a few weeks. There’s a monumental task ahead of Cohen and Stearns to get the Mets back on track heading into next year… and they’ll need to prioritize the game’s human element to make that happen.