Major League Baseball used iPhone 17 Pro to document Clayton Kershaw's final home start, and the tagged shots quickly spread across social media.

The iPhone 17 Pro has shifted from being a fan accessory to an official broadcast camera. It appeared in Major League Baseball coverage on Apple TV+ without most viewers noticing.

Apple first tried it during Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw's final home start. Three phones quietly captured footage that was included in the live feed.

Executive producer Royce Dickerson said the footage looked like any other shot, which was the point. ESPN even replayed it without noting the source.

Fenway Park showcases new camera angles

The experiment went public on September 26, 2025, at Fenway Park during Friday Night Baseball. Four iPhones were placed in dugouts, on the Green Monster, and among fans, with "Shot on iPhone" tags marking the footage.

Camera setup with two screens capturing a baseball game, displaying a stadium section with cutwater branding and spectators in the stands.

New camera angles were first showcased at Dodger Stadium. Image credit: Apple TV+

Each phone ran the Blackmagic Camera app and connected to a ProDock that fed HDMI into the broadcast truck. Technicians matched color and exposure to $50,000 rigs, while directors controlled settings remotely.

The phones captured dugout and fan views that bigger cameras couldn't reach. The Green Monster angle and roaming shots gave the broadcast a fresh look.

Players also found the phones less intrusive than a full-size lens.

Why Apple is pushing this experiment

Friday Night Baseball has become a showcase for Apple devices, from AirPods Max to Apple Music tie-ins. Including the iPhone 17 Pro continues that pattern, blending product promotion with live sports.

Close-up of a mobile device in a rugged case displaying a video recording interface, set against a blurred outdoor stadium background.

The phones captured dugout and fan views that bigger cameras couldn't reach. Image credit: Apple TV+

Apple spends $85 million each year for MLB rights, and proving a consumer phone can match pro rigs delivers a powerful marketing message. Even the priciest iPhone costs far less than traditional broadcast gear.

The company plans to expand iPhone use across Friday Night Baseball. MLB even authenticated the phones from Kershaw's farewell for possible display in Cooperstown.