Rangers’ Phil Klein shows he can be a real gamer

Pitcher Phil Klein doesn’t buy the theory that video games help kids with their hand-eye coordination. At least not the kinds of games you can play on an iPad.

Klein likes to kill the lulls before and after practice and games by playing games such as Vainglory and Clash of Clans with teammates.

“You try to blow up these little turrets and try to get this little crystal, there’s a lot of different stuff you can do within the game,” Klein said. “We’ve been playing [Clash of Clans] for a bunch of years. If I don’t play with [teammates], it’s random people online. It’s a good time-waster.”

Klein, 25, wasn’t around when cards, dominoes or chess were the only downtime activities in the clubhouse.

“The iPads have really come on in the past few years. That’s really helped,” he said. “Anything to kill some time here and there helps me a lot, just to relax and chill out before we get the day going.”

As for any physical benefit from pressing some buttons?

“I don’t think so. I’m not moving very far to touch that little screen,” he said. “I’d rather be outside running around.”

A wet Surprise

OK, it wasn’t exactly a surprise since it was in the forecast, but a steady stream of drizzle curtailed Rangers practice Saturday. Sunday and Monday aren’t looking too sunny, either. Manager Jeff Banister said he has alternate plans, including classroom meetings for players if rain prevents the use of the fields. Saturday’s rain forced the club into the batting cages and the pitchers to only briefly play catch.

Key stat

30 Pitchers of the 34 in camp who will see action within the first five Cactus Leagues games, scheduled to start Wednesday, pitching coach Mike Maddux said. The four who won’t see action are recovering from injuries: Matt Harrison, Martin Perez, Michael Kirkman and Edgar Olmos.

Quotable

“It’s obviously come up in the NFL and now NASCAR. It’s out there, so we need to make them aware so none of our guys get put in that situation. We need to be responsible and at the same time if one of our guys is having a situation we need to be the man and step in and stop it before it gets into something else.” — Rangers player representative Derek Holland on the domestic violence seminar the team had Saturday morning

This story was originally published February 28, 2015 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Rangers’ Phil Klein shows he can be a real gamer."