What Happens In The Dugout, Stays In The Dugout

Only in the game of baseball is it acceptable when Vince Duarte’s Northeast teammates tease him from the dugout as he stands on third base after just hitting a triple.

Only a true baseball player can appreciate that when his teammates are teasing him and asking him why he didn’t hit an inside-the-park-home run that they are, in fact, complimenting him for hitting the triple.

Thus is the game of baseball, a game full of characters and colorful personalities.

The baseball dugout is where the personality of a baseball team grows and takes form. It is where players and coaches gel and create the chemistry it takes to succeed. Outside of the chalk, the dugout is the most important place for teams to come together.

“Some stuff that happens I probably don’t know about, and I probably don’t want to know,” jokes Northeast coach Kevin Carney. “Sometimes I gotta be a watchdog because there can be distractions, so I like my players to sit up front and watch. In baseball, you have to concentrate. Even if you’re not in the game, you can still be a part of the game.”

This seems to be the norm across Broward County, as most coaches prefer that the kids stay focused and concentrated on the game. To the players’ credit, even when they aren’t on the field, their minds are. In dugouts across the county, you will find teams full of players all locked in and seemingly hanging on every pitch. The coaches insist the players pay full attention and the players would have it no other way.

For Ray Evans and his Flanagan players, the dugout is a business-like atmosphere where the game is respected. There are lots of discussions as players try to decipher things. Conversations are only about the game. Players are watching the opposition, looking for tendencies and signs.

“They all do it, they are all trying to figure it out,” Evans said. “I like that because some will see different things. It comes with the territory, and they will check with each other and learn together.”

Players stay involved by giving the cues and signs for steals or bunts, or else sending in defensive calls, and it helps to reinforce that they are a part of the team in helping the players on the field.

“They are used to playing, so they don’t always know how to hold themselves,” Coral Springs coach Frank Bumbales said. “The dugout really brings out the character in these guys, and you learn a lot about them.”

Coaches utilize the time in the dugout as the greatest opportunity for coaching players. The action is live before their eyes and coaches have the unique chance to stop a player and engage in brief instructional moments that perhaps will have the greatest benefit.

“The coaches do not hold back,” said Coral Springs junior Vinny Cerullo, a transfer from Tottenville High. “They want you to know everything that they know.”

The dugout is holy ground for teams, a place that is there just for them, a place where secrets are shared and lifelong friendships are born. But for Cerullo, it is a new transition after having just moved to the area from Staten Island, N.Y., only three weeks ago.

“This is a great baseball environment, and I feel like I fit well here,” Cerullo said. “When you grow up in baseball, it just works.”

Beyond just watching, taking notes and discussing the action, what is far more important about the time teams spend together in the dugout is the way it bring players and squads together. This precious time to bond and build closer relationships has a direct affect on their chemistry out on the field of play. Players develop trust in one another. They respond to one another if someone calls them out for lack of effort or for losing concentration.

“I love rooting my boys on. But there will be smiles and struggles,” Northeast senior Anthony Horvat said. “It’s important for the players who have been there and seen what it takes to take a leadership role and push the younger guys. Character brings us together.”

Teams live for those moments when momentum shifts their way. But in the dugout players do their best to manipulate that energy consistently and keep everyone hyped up all the time.

“Players are energetic, and we are all excited to play baseball,” said senior Austin Ligons, who recently transferred from Boyd Anderson to Northeast.

Across Broward there seems to be no issues as far as sportsmanship is concerned. Players know what acceptable behavior is and they act accordingly.

“Players act with class and respect the game,” Nova coach Pat McQuaid said. “Coaches handle any disputes and everything is done with class.”

But that does not mean there aren’t characters in the dugouts. Dugouts are also playful and loose within reason, as teams also respect that it is a game they are playing. Within that group, there always emerges certain personalities that stand out and leave a lasting impression.

For Bumbales, there is one that stands out forever in his memory, and that is Dave Berger. Berger was a former pitcher for Bumbales’ Colts team 15 years ago who had the worst mechanics ever, according to Bumbales, but who could just throw strikes. But it was not his baseball ability that leaves the deepest mark, but rather Berger’s rare personality he exhibited in the dugout. He had infectious good humor and was loved by his teammates. He was also banned from school pep rallies because he liked to crowd surf from the top of the bleachers and then do back flips across the gym.

Berger was also successful as a pitcher, somehow turning ugly mechanics into productive pitches. He had a rubber arm and he always wanted the ball.

He had pitched in 11 consecutive games for the Colts when the team was playing in a tournament in Vero Beach one season, and Bumbales had shut him down before the game, insisting he not even stretch or warm up.

But late in the game, Coral Springs was clinging to a 6-5 lead while pitching with the bases loaded.

Berger approached Bumbales and spoke quietly: “Coach, do you need an out? I got it.”

Bumbales looked at his player, who was not warmed up, who had not stretched, who had pitched in 11 straight games, and he trusted his players.

As Coach Bumbales approached the mound to take the ball from his pitcher, the player glanced to the empty bullpen in confusion. “Dave’s pitching,” was all Bumbales said before taking the ball.

Berger entered the game and struck the player out on three straight pitches. The next day, he pitched the Colts to a championship victory.

“The other players were in awe,” Bumbales remembers. “They only make one of those guys.”

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