Dugout Antics

Walking into the dugout early before practice is like walking into a comedy club. My teammates are scattered on the steps of the dugout, the bench, and even the floor. Anywhere where you can get a seat for the open-mic show.

We talk mostly about baseball. The coaches tell stories of players they once coached or played against. Everyone laughs and chimes in like war vets looking back and sharing stories. There are some serious stories, but most are funny. We impersonate players who played on the team last year and remember funny bus rides.

Then somebody comes up to you and tells you that he heard someone mentioned your name at dinner the other night. “Who was it?” you ask. And they respond, “Flip Wilson!” And flip your hat off your head.

The coaches shout out that it’s time for warm-ups. And although practice just then officially starts, it has really been going on for much longer.