Major League Baseball updates rules to allow iPads in dugouts, with restrictions
Beginning on Monday, Major League Baseball rules will allow the iPad in dugouts for some tasks like checking charts, statistics, and scouting reports, according to an official announcement.
Initially, at least, the decision won't have any major impact on how games are played. Teams previously had access to the same information, just in paper form, making today's rollout largely about speed and convenience.
The league is also imposing strict limitations on how iPads can operate, as a way of deterring cheating. Authorized devices cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network, and teams can only use information transferred before the first pitch is thrown.
At least one team, the St. Louis Cardinals, was allowed to test iPads before today's formal rollout.
Tablets are becoming increasingly common in professional sports. In 2013 Microsoft scored a deal making the Surface the official tablet of the National Football League, though the ubiquity of the iPad in popular culture has led to problems with game announcers confusing the two products.
Initially, at least, the decision won't have any major impact on how games are played. Teams previously had access to the same information, just in paper form, making today's rollout largely about speed and convenience.
The league is also imposing strict limitations on how iPads can operate, as a way of deterring cheating. Authorized devices cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network, and teams can only use information transferred before the first pitch is thrown.
At least one team, the St. Louis Cardinals, was allowed to test iPads before today's formal rollout.
Tablets are becoming increasingly common in professional sports. In 2013 Microsoft scored a deal making the Surface the official tablet of the National Football League, though the ubiquity of the iPad in popular culture has led to problems with game announcers confusing the two products.
Comments
Cubs fan?
No, I'm referring to the way they hacked the Astros. I couldn't care less about the Cubs.
They were found to have not used this information to gain any competitive advantage. This wasn't cheating, it was trying to make a former employee look bad.
Baseball is important in how many countries? Oh. yeah, one. Still there's always the World Series, where world is defined as, one country. Wonderful.
I know a guy who is Taiwanese, lives in Taipei and is a huge New York Yankees fan. I know some Chinese people who live in a coastal city in China and they're huge Kobe Bryant fans. Sports are global.
Baseball is important in how many countries? Oh. yeah, one. Still there's always the World Series, where world is defined as, one country. Wonderful.
Even though it is Canada, baseball is played in two countries thank you very much...
Baseball is also very popular in Japan.
Baseball is also very popular in Japan.
And don't forget most of Latin America and Korea thanks to the Pirates and Jung Ho Kang!*
*Insert comment about ignorant Europeans who are self centered and think soccer is the only sport in the world.
Even though it is Canada, baseball is played in two countries thank you very much...
And it just might be played in two countries all the way till November this year