A baseball dugout (or bench) is where each team sits when they are not on the field and the history of how dugouts became a staple part of the game is an interesting one.
Each team has their own dugout located on the first or third baseline. There has been a ton of debate over the years as to one important question.
So, where does the home team sit in baseball?
Out of all the dugouts in the MLB, 18 of the 30 MLB teams chose to have their dugout on the first baseline.
The truth to that answer – it really does AND doesn’t matter. Major League Baseball does not offer any rules, regulations or guidelines as to where the home team is supposed to sit.
But it does give the home team the right to choose what side of the field they sit on, and there are some very specific reasons a team may choose to sit on either the first or third baseline.
Listed below are the top 3 reasons that weigh in on that decision.
1.SHADE – It really is that simple. Which dugout is shaded during the game will give you a competitive advantage in the game during day games.
The average baseball game is 3 hours and 8 minutes, and half that time you are in the dugout waiting for your turn at bat. Sitting in the shade can be a huge benefit especially in the late innings.
2.EASY ACCESS – This is especially true for college players. Some fields have a locker room attached to only 1 side of the dugout. Other schools have a shorter walk from the locker room or parking lot to the field. Teams want to make it as easy as possible for their players to enter and exit the field.
3.LUCK – Baseball players tend to be very superstitious! If a coach or team tends to win more from the first base dugout, guess which one quickly becomes their ‘Home Dugout’
Contents
- What is the difference between the home and away team?
- Are seats behind the dugout good seats?
- Are there bathrooms in the dugout?
- Are baseball dugouts air conditioned?
- What dugout does the home team sit in Baseball Conclusion
What is the difference between the home and away team?
The home team in baseball is the team that is hosting the game. They get the advantage of the home dugout and also get to bat second.
This IS a huge advantage because it allows you to be more aggressive in your game decisions since you know how many runs the team scored in the top half of the inning.
They also get the last chance to score.
If the home team is winning heading into their last turn to bat, there is no need for them to hit since they are already leading in the score, and the game is over.
The away team in baseball has a slight disadvantage because they are the team traveling to play. Sleeping in a hotel room instead of the comfort of their own home.
They also have the disadvantage of playing in front of the home team fans. An away team can quickly gain an advantage if they score first and put pressure on the home team to score runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Are seats behind the dugout good seats?
Seats behind the dugout can be good seats, however you better be paying attention because you may get a foul ball coming at you.
Foul balls can be hit in those directions very hard and become dangerous. However over the last few years MLB mandated the field nets extend down each baseline to avoid injuries from flying baseballs.
Some fans think this has prohibited better views of the field without looking through a net. If you want to avoid a slightly obstructed view, it would make sense to move up a few rows to get above the net line or farther down the line toward the outfield.
Are there bathrooms in the dugout?
Most major league dugouts DO have bathrooms in them. If not they are located down in the locker rooms to allow the players to quickly use the restroom during games.
Most college or little league dugouts do not have restrooms, but should have a public restroom close by. Many of the high end college stadiums have bathrooms built into the dugout tunnels that lead to the locker rooms.
Are baseball dugouts air conditioned?
Some of the newer baseball stadiums DO in fact have air conditioners and heaters inside the dugout. However this is not common in some of the more traditional, older parks.
There is quite a difference between the quality of dugouts at each level you play at. Some of the high end MLB dugouts have plenty of room and lead to a locker room where players can go in between innings.
High school and some college dugouts are freestanding and do not have the same level of privacy as professional baseball.
What dugout does the home team sit in Baseball Conclusion
The dugouts are a very important part of the baseball game. They provide players with a place to get out of the sun or rain, and they can offer shade for fans who want to stay in their seats during hot summer games.
People love wearing hats that represent their favorite team’s colors, so it only makes sense that there is an entire section of MLB merchandise dedicated just to these pieces of headwear (hats).
These days you don’t have to be at the stadium on opening day or July 4th weekend for Independence Day fireworks night in order to show your support for America’s pastime. You can go online and buy any number of caps from various teams across Major League Baseball!
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