Shortly after a July 20th loss to the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals' first base coach Rusty Kuntz entered the visitors' clubhouse at Fenway and witnessed a sight he'd become all too familiar with; Royals players huddled over iPads playing the popular game "Clash of Clans."
Though it was a sight Kuntz had seen many times prior, according to the Kansas City Star, this time, after this particular loss - the team's third straight - he was incensed.
"At that time, in that situation, it's really disappointing," Kuntz told the Star. "You just got to a point where you go, 'What's the priority here? Is this just three hours out of your time, spent away from what you're actually being interested in? We've got to find a way to get this changed, so that the priority is the game, and all this other stuff is secondary.'"
"Clash of Clans," according to the game's website, is an entirely free "army strategy game" wherein you "train barbarians, archers, giants and more" to "battle players worldwide for resources and Victory Points." It involves strategic planning and competitive combat.
The game was originally introduced into the clubhouse via reserve Jarrod Dyson and passed off to eventual ALCS MVP, Lorenzo Cain, according to the Star. Cain is an avid gamer and took to "Clash of Clans" with ease.
Over the summer, other players began to get involved, such as Danny Valencia, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer - and the coaching staff began to take notice.
"Maybe I need to cut back some of my hours on it," Cain said jokingly in July. "I think I'm going to cut back on it a little bit."
But after the loss to Boston in July, manager Ned Yost held a closed-door meeting during which he pleaded with the team to show more energy and hustle. It made no discernable difference in a loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Raul Ibanez, a journeyman outfielder who joined the Royals at the end of June and has been left off the roster for the last two postseason series, and pitcher James Shields, brought the team together for a players-only meeting that night.
Of the issues discussed in the meeting, personal accountability was a major message. Afterward, iPad usage dwindled. "Clash of Clans" was replaced by watching video of opposing pitchers. The Royals won 16 of their next 19 games.
"You try to teach and make them understand, this is a weapon you can use to your advantage," said Kansas City pitching coach, Dale Sveum. "Because that pitching coach and that pitcher is doing their homework on you. So you have to be prepared for that."
The Royals have become the Cinderella story of the 2014 postseason, and it seems they may have the removal of "Clash of Clans" from their locker room, at least partially, to thank.
