Allegations of Illegal Technology Use
The New York Mets have dismissed recent concerns regarding the use of artificial intelligence in their game strategy. The controversy arose after former player Adam Ottavino suggested that the team utilized sophisticated AI programs, citing expenditures made by owner Steve Cohen on the technology.
Speaking during his “Baseball + Coffee” livestream, Mr. Ottavino stated that the Mets were among the primary teams to face scrutiny over AI usage. He claimed that coaches within the organization had access to an expensive AI system designed to assist with pitch selection and other strategic decisions.
Mets’ Defense of Compliance
In response to these accusations, Mets interim manager Andy Green addressed the issue before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. When questioned about Ottavino’s claims, Mr. Green declined to engage in public debate, reaffirming that the club adheres completely to Major League Baseball (MLB) guidelines regarding technology usage.
“From my perspective, what I just said remains true: We remain compliant with everything MLB’s asked us to do. And we’ll continue to do that,” Green stated. He deferred further discussion of the matter to MLB itself.
League Restrictions on Dugout Technology
The debate over advanced technology in baseball comes amid increased regulatory measures from MLB. The league has been restricting the functionality of iPads used in dugouts. While these tablets previously offered access to video footage and data provided by the league, they also included a custom tab that allowed teams to integrate other programs.
As of Wednesday night—marking the start of the second half of the season—MLB made these custom tabs inaccessible to all teams, limiting technological resources available in the dugout.
