Overview
- MLB issued a June 11 memo telling clubs to stop using custom third‑party tools on league iPads and disabled the custom tab at the start of the season’s second half.
- The league said some teams had expanded the custom tab to produce recommendations on substitutions, pitch calling and other real‑time decisions that should be made by players and coaches.
- A competition‑committee review found no violations of sign‑stealing or device rules, so MLB imposed the restriction without issuing fines or other discipline.
- Teams may still use league‑provided delayed video and upload static pregame materials, but any content added to iPads will be subject to league review and monitoring.
- The change has frustrated some analytics and front‑office staff who had pushed to use faster, custom data tools, and MLB’s next steps will likely focus on policing uploads and clarifying what counts as live tactical assistance.