Johnson City Doughboys add Rocky the bat dog to the diamond

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — There's a new star player this summer for the Johnson City Doughboys. It's not a pitcher, and it's not a pitcher, rather a fetcher. His name is Rocky, and he's a three-year-old Labrador retriever.

Doughboys pitcher Jake Crews says, "Rocky’s one of the sweetest dogs you’ll ever meet."

Rocky's not just at the ballpark for show, he's got a job to do.

"If they hit it or get out, the dog goes and gets the bat and that’s as cool as it can get," says Doughboy fan Keegan Sheffey.

Rocky has taken on the title of bat dog this summer for the team.

Meg Hackett is Rocky's owner.

"I asked them (Doughboys) if they were in need of a bat dog, and if they would be interested. He (General Manager) kind of looked at me funny, and was like do you know a dog that can do that? And I was like yes sir I do," said Hackett.

Hackett says she and her husband are big baseball fans, and got the idea to train Rocky, after seeing another dog fetch bats.

"It's really just a game of fetch, with a little bit of structured obedience around it. His (Rocky) target is a bat, and then he does the rest," said Hackett.

When Rocky goes out to get the bat, he puts on a show for the crowd.

"He doesn’t just pick up the bat and take it back to his handler in the hometown dugout, he showboats to the crowd," said Doughboys season ticket holder Kennie Boling.

Not only putting a smile on the faces in the crowd, but the teams too.

Crews said, "he’s (Rocky) been great for morale. He may not say much, he may not give many words of encouragement, but he’s just the best boy out there, the goodest boy."

Just like many playing in the Appalachian League, Rocky and his parents goal one day, getting a call to "The Show."

"I think if we ever got invited to the Major Leagues to do something like that, even just for one inning, would be a complete dream come true," says Hackett.

For now though, Rocky is just enjoying the dog days of summer with the Doughboys.