Apple Watch Tossed Out Of MLB Dugout

Apple Watch has many fans, but the Major League Baseball organization is not among them — or is it?

Consider the fact that the MLB has banned the ubiquitous smart device from dugouts during games, as SlashGear reported Wednesday (Aug. 19). The ban itself traces its genesis to a general ban by the commission on smartphone use in those locations in general, and the latest extension to the rule, which ties in to Apple, came after the MLB got wind that Ned Yost, who manages the Kansas City Royals, was wearing the smartwatch during games. The odd part of this story comes from the fact that the MLB is the very entity that gave Yost the Apple Watch in the first place. The gift from the MLB came after the manager had been part of the All-Star Game that took place in July.

SlashGear noted that The Kansas City Star reported that when the MLB contacted Yost about his wearing the device in the dugout, the manager actually tried to explain to its would-be benefactor (and now critic) that there was nothing “smart” about the device when it is in fact not physically near the phone with which it is paired. In that event, of course, Apple Watch functions solely as a watch, with timekeeping functions.

In reference to his own use of the watch, Yost told the Kansas publication that he uses the Apple Watch to track his health and exercise but does not in fact have the device with him in the dugout.

“Maybe next time the MLB will have a better understanding of the gadgets it gives away to managers and players,” said SlashGear.

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