“We only wanted her to do the single attempt …” 😂
It all began when Lucy May’s older sister, Layla, retired after six years as the Threshers’ beloved bat retriever. At 13, Layla had slowed down and was nearing the end of her ballpark career. Fortunately, the young and energetic Lucy May seemed eager to step into Layla’s paws. She began training with her dad in preparation for the big day.
“She has been training for three months, but she is still very much a puppy,” Dominic Repper from the Threshers explained. “She practices with her dad, Andrew, at baseball fields and during local softball games.”
Lucy May quickly adapted to the task, happily chasing and retrieving bats with a keen sense of balance. When it was time to introduce her to the Threshers fans on August 23, everyone hoped she would impress the crowd. However, the outcome was not quite what they anticipated.
“We planned for her to make just one attempt at the end of the inning,” Repper said. “That way, if something went wrong, it wouldn’t disrupt the game. It turned out to be a good call because she did get a bit wild.”
When Lucy May hit the field, her dad threw a bat a few feet in front of her and asked her to retrieve it. But as soon as Lucy May’s paws touched the field, she had other plans. Instead of picking up the bat, she dashed towards the baseball diamond, weaving through players and heading straight for the grounds crew. Tail wagging furiously, she sought out pets and attention before taking a squat near second base.
“I expected something fun, but I never imagined she’d relieve herself on the field,” Repper admitted. “When I heard the crowd burst into laughter, I knew we had a viral moment.”
The crowd loved Lucy May’s impromptu performance, and a video of her debut quickly spread online, capturing the hearts of hundreds of thousands. Despite the rocky start, Lucy May is back to her training routine and remains determined to make a better impression when the new season begins.
“Lucy has another seven or eight months to train before she’s needed for our first Beach Dogs home game in April,” Repper said. “We’re confident she’ll be ready.”
In the meantime, Lucy May continues to practice with guidance from her big sister, Layla. Being a professional good girl is no small feat, but with the support of the Clearwater Threshers and her experienced sibling, Lucy May is well on her way to success.
“These two dogs are locally famous,” Repper noted. “They pose for photos with our guests at every game and have truly become a cherished part of our team.”