Clearwater Threshers new bat dog has a messy start

CLEARWATER — The debut of the Clearwater Threshers’ new bat dog didn’t turn out quite as her owner, Andrew Davis, expected.

At the end of the third inning, Lucy, a 10-month-old retriever, was poised to retrieve her first bat. Instead, Lucy tore around the infield as Threshers players warmed up for the top of the fourth inning.

She briefly paused at the bat but then ran through the visiting Dunedin Blue Jays’ dugout, followed closely by Davis. Then, in a moment Davis would like to forget, Lucy squatted behind the pitcher and relieved herself.

The oh’s from the crowd rippled through BayCare Ballpark.

After Davis finally wrangled Lucy, he gave her a stern scolding.

“No treats for a month,” Davis said as he waved his finger at the dog.

He then turned to a Tampa Bay Times photographer. “Please go easy on me,” he said.

It wasn’t the smoothest debut for Lucy, who is taking over bat dog duties from her big sister Layla, who retired last month after six years of service.

But her future is not in doubt after her Friday shenanigans.

Dominic Repper, promotions and game entertainment manager for the Threshers, said there was a “1,000% chance” Lucy would return.

“The crowd loved it. The entire night it was the topic of conversation,” Repper said.

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