Royals reportedly ban 'fraternizing' with opposing teams

The Kansas City Royals have the worst record in the American League (41-60). They just got swept in four games by the last-place Seattle Mariners. So, naturally, the most important thing for the club to deal with right now is ... fraternizing with opposing players on the basepaths.

By Matt Snyder

Jul 30, 2012 at 5:48 pm ET • 1 min read

Royals broadcast team. (Getty Images)

Huh?

That's right. Royals manager Ned Yost held a clubhouse meeting recently and told his players to stop fraternizing with opposing players, according to Fox Sports Kansas City. Apparently, Royals infielders -- middle infielders Yuniesky Betancourt and Alcides Escobar seem to be the biggest culprits, according to the Fox Sports report -- have been infuriating Royals broadcasters Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler all season, to the point that Lefebvre feels the need to guard against too much preaching. Witness this recent quote:

"I don't want to get on my soapbox again, but if I'm a pitcher, I think it would really burn me to see my middle infielders laughing and joking with a guy who just hit a three-run double off me as he stands on second base. I don't get it." (via Fox Sports KC)

So there it is. The Royals suck, but the broadcasting team is making a mountain out of a molehill -- and the manager went along with it -- when it comes to some players talking to players on the other team. I don't love the idea of laughing right after a game-changing play, either, but maybe they're trying to lull the baserunners into a false sense of security before the hammer is dropped on a huge pickoff move! Remember this?

Sarcasm aside, I think some players could stand to yuk it up less with opposing players, but there are much, much bigger issues with which to concern ourselves. It's not like this is something only the Royals do. Players on first-place teams do it, too.

And, to be fair to the Royals' infielders, they are presented with tons of opportunities to talk to opposing players. The Royals' pitchers have an AL-worst 1.45 WHIP.

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