For the first time, the 2015 MLB season saw the use of smartphones, tablets and laptops in team dugouts. The MLB only recently lifted its longstanding ban on such devices, and the Cincinnati Reds were quick to add technology back into their games.
The Reds were one of the first teams to embrace the technology, and participated in an MLB pilot program that initially only permitted teams to have PDFs on handheld devices. As the policy continues to unfold, teams like the Reds will be able to incorporate images and video into their dugout research and game-time coaching tools.
Baseball, of course, is a game of statistics, so the ability to conduct research and planning ahead of time, as well as on the spot, is already proving invaluable for many teams.
“Now it’s expanded a little bit where you can add video,” said Reds' Assistant General Manager Sam Grossman.
He hopes that eventually, the MLB will push those vital stats and more out to its publicly accessible
stat tracker.
Accessing archived and real-time videos ahead of time can help coaches strategically prepare for essential decisions like positioning players, rotating pitchers and anticipating other teams’ defensive moves.
Earlier this year, the MLB inked a multi-year deal with Apple Inc. to equip every team in the league with iPad Pro tablets.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.