Addressing all 61 players in big league camp, new Twins manager Paul Molitor said that electronics usage among players in the Twins’ clubhouse would be limited, reports Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Players will not be allowed to use electronic devices 30 minutes before first pitch and the restriction lasts until the final out of the game.
The ban was inspired by an observation by bullpen manager Eddie Guardado during spring training last year, when he noticed that the pitchers had their heads buried in their cell phones, not talking to their teammates.
Pitcher Tommy Milone, acquired by the Twins from the Athletics at the trade deadline last season, is in favor of the electronics ban. “Now if there’s a rule in place where you can’t do that anymore, it forces you to focus on other things,” Milone said. “Maybe not just talking with your teammates, but it probably forces you to get out there and get some work done, maybe a little bit of extra work to do something other than be on your phone.”
Though the Twins have gotten younger at many positions, the additions of veterans Torii Hunter and Ervin Santana along with the continued presence of Joe Mauer should prove helpful to Molitor in enforcing his rules.
