The Dog Days of Summer
By Ron Johnston, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, August 27, 2003
 WASHINGTON, Pa. — How fitting that I was finally able
to catch up to Jake the Diamond Dog during the dog days of August at Falconi Field, home
of the Frontier League's Washington Wild Things, Sunday night. For those of you who do not know who Jake the Diamond Dog is,
he's a loveable golden retriever that spends his summers performing in minor league
baseball parks nationwide. What he does mainly is chase down fouls balls, deliver liquid
refreshment to the umpires, play bat boy, and, of course, catch Frisbees in the outfield
during inning breaks. All to the delight of the fans.
On Sunday, Jake — raised and trained by Jeff Marchal of
Lima, Ohio — pretty much stole the show during host Washington's 3-2 setback to the
Florence Freedom in front of a sellout crowd of 4,110. Even Wild Thing, the team's
energetic and fun loving mascot, had to take a backseat to Jake. Ah, but let's face it,
Jake is a tough act to follow just about anywhere that he performs.
After the contest, I had an opportunity to talk to the M.V.P
— Most Valuable Pooch. Turns out that even though the interview was brief, Jake's
very thoughtful and articulate for a dog.RJ: How was your trip here, Jake?
Jake: Ruff
RJ: Oh, that's too bad, but I can imagine it would be, being
on the road as much as you are. How did you like the game?
Jake: Ruff
RJ:
Yeah, it was a rough loss for the Wild Things. I hope it doesn't hurt their chances for
postseason play. (After Sunday's game, Washington (49-32) was tied for second place with
Evansville in the East Division of the Frontier League standings with seven games
remaining on the schedule.)
RJ:
Of all of the Wild Things, who do you like the best?
Jake: Teke.
RJ:
That sounded like Teke, as in Kent Tekulve, the first base coach. And, yes, he is a very
nice man. One final question, Jake. Looking around this beautiful Falconi Field ballpark,
where do you think the best place to view the game is?
Jake: Roof, roof.
RJ: Hmmmmm. Interesting. Before I leave, could I get your “pawtograph” for my
Chihuahua? His name is Poncho. Yes, Jake does give out “pawtographs.”
As I look back on my Sunday outing at Falconi Field, I don't
think I'll ever forget how Jake started the game by delivering the baseball to Washington
Wild Thing lefty Jared Howton. Then, on Jake's return to the sideline, he made his first
of two “errors” on the field in the game. But you can't hold that against him,
because after all he is a dog.
In the second inning, Jake was the bat dog as he retrieved the
bat of each Wild Thing hitter after their respective appearance at the plate. To the best
of my knowledge, he left no bite marks on the wood. In the fourth inning, Jake carried bottled water in a basket to
both the home plate and field umps. That same inning, he entered the Falconi Field
grandstand to the delight of the children, and delivered a dozen roses to an appreciative
lady. During a fifth inning break in right field, Jake demonstrated his
athleticism as he gracefully ran, leaped and grabbed thrown Frisbees with his mouth out of
the air. All and all, Jake was just doggone awesome and entertaining on a dog day,
thrilling summer's evening in Washington, Pa. |
