Currently, Major League Baseball forbids the use of Internet-connected devices from dugouts, bullpens, and fields during ballgames. For a bit, it seemed like that rule included the use of Apple’s entry in the wearable market, the Apple Watch, but MLB clarified to state this is not the case, reports Apple Insider.
During a game against the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost was spotted sporting Apple’s wearable in the dugout. Talking to Kansas City Star’s Andy McCullough, Yost explained he received the Watch as a gift from MLB for being the American League manager in this year’s All-Star Game.
Interestingly, McCullough reported that Yost was told not to wear his Watch during games, with Yost saying that, “When you’re away from your phone, all it is is a watch.” McCullough added that Yost regularly uses his watch to check the weather, as well as catalog his exercise goals during the day.
In a tweet, McCullough insinuated that MLB forbade him from using his Watch in the dugout. However, the opposite appears to be the case, as an MLB spokesperson told MarketWatch that the league will not ban the Watch from dugouts. Instead, MLB staffers managing on-field operations during the game called Yost in order to make sure he wasn’t using the watch as a way to access scouting data or communicate with team personnel.
Of course, this could easily change with the release of watchOS 2 this fall, which brings with it native app support and expanded Wi-Fi connectivity. For now, however, Yost is free to have his watch on in the dugout during ballgames.
Funny enough, Yost was ejected during that game with the Reds, but it was because he argued with an umpire over the Royals’ Alcides Escobar being ruled out at first base. The Royals went on to win the 13-inning game, 3-1.
