Trout enforcing Angels' cellphone ban: 'Guys are interacting more'

Mike Trout is one of the Los Angeles Angels veterans enforcing manager Ron Washington's new rule prohibiting players from using cellphones at their lockers.

"It's been good," Trout said, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. "The guys are interacting more. I think the biggest thing we're working on this year, just building that family chemistry, getting everybody on board."

Trout said he hasn't encountered any resistance from players and he believes the rule has brought them closer together. The fine for using a cellphone in the clubhouse is $500, but there are exceptions for emergencies.

Washington said that he wants the players to fine him if he gets caught using his cellphone.

"That clubhouse is for Mike and he'll run it how he wants to run it," Washington said. "That clubhouse is for (Kyle) Hendricks. He can run it how he wants to run it. And for all the veterans we got on this team to run it the way they want to run it."

The 72-year-old believes the rule helped the Texas Rangers make back-to-back trips to the World Series in 2010-11 when he managed the club and leaned on vets such as Michael Young, Adrian Beltré, and Ian Kinsler to administer the $500 fine.

"It's not punishment," Washington said. "It's just trying to keep them focused. You can use your phone when you come in. Take it and you can leave the clubhouse and you can use your phone as much as you want. It's to get them more focused on what we are supposed to be doing."