US baseball team used smartwatches to cheat

Smartwatches have not yet been able to reach the masses, because we are still waiting for features that make the smart watches truly indispensable. The Boston Red Sox thought they had found a useful application, but copying using an Apple Watch turns out not to be allowed.

According to The New York Times, the American baseball team has used smartwatches to pass on the signals that the catcher gives to the opposing team’s pitcher. The team would have done that in a number of games, including a game against the Yankees. Major League Baseball investigators were charged after the Yankees filed a complaint, with video evidence.

The video shows the Red Sox assistant coach looking at his Apple Watch and then relaying information to other players in the dugout. These players then gesture to players in the field to indicate how the pitcher is going to throw. That way, the batter can anticipate the pitch. Investigators confirm the Yankees’ claim based on their own video footage.

The video staff sends the information about the signals that the assistant coach receives on his Apple Watch. Video personnel can see the catcher’s signals thanks to the camera images. The Red Sox have admitted that there is communication between video staff and players, but have also filed suit against the Yankees themselves. The Red Sox say the Yankees use images from their own television network to monitor signals. The Yankees deny that.

Cheating and signaling is not prohibited in baseball, but the rules do not allow electronic aids or binoculars to be used in the dugout. It’s not clear what punishment the Red Sox will receive for their clever use of the Apple Watch. A further investigation may also be launched to address the counter-charge.