Omaha the bat dog becomes baseball's cutest celebrity

This energetic retriever is stealing bases—and hearts.

In baseball, the most beloved players don't always wear a number on their jersey. Sometimes, they wear a collar.

Meet Omaha the Bat Dog, the breakout star of the Orange County Riptide baseball team. Her position? Official retriever of baseball bats—and official retriever of smiles, too.

Omaha isn't your typical bat retriever. She’s a delightful mix of Golden Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever, and White Swiss Shepherd, gifted with boundless energy and a love for fetch. Her job might seem straightforward—retrieve bats dropped by players and carry them to the dugout—but mastering this role took considerable patience, creativity, and plenty of treats.

  A golden retriever carries a baseball bat in its mouthCanva

Finding inspiration 2,400 miles away

The idea to train a "bat dog" came from Orange County Riptide's General Manager, David Lamm. He stumbled upon ESPN's documentary, "The Family Business," featuring bat dogs in action and instantly knew this was something special for his team.

He and his wife Jessica swiftly decided to pursue the idea. They reached out to the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue, eager to bring home a pup that would one day grace the baseball diamond. On January 13, 2023, they welcomed Omaha into their family, unaware just how much this energetic puppy would change their lives.

From playful pup to baseball pro

Training Omaha for her unique role took serious dedication. Although trainer Greg Ogden was experienced with hunting dogs, training a canine to fetch bats was new territory. They started simple—basic obedience, lots of treats, belly rubs, and commands like "sit," "stay," and "come."

Soon, Omaha graduated to fetching toys, and then wooden bats, eventually practicing with youth teams like the Placentia 12U Select Punishers. This gave her exposure to live gameplay, complete with the unpredictable chaos of a baseball field.

As Lamm recalls, "She’s like any player. Sometimes she has her bad days and goes 0-3 and we have to send her back down to the minors [for more practice]."

"Sometimes she has her bad days and goes 0-3 and we have to send her back down to the minors [for more practice]."
— David Lamm

Despite early struggles—such as chasing after rolling baseballs instead of stationary bats—Omaha improved steadily. Ogden advised Lamm to rub one of his worn shirts on the bats before each game. With the comforting scent of her dad nearby, Omaha eagerly retrieved each bat with greater enthusiasm.

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Omaha goes pro

All the hard work paid off. Omaha made her Riptide debut on June 9, 2024. Her first game was not without missteps, but it was a crucial learning moment. Over time, with guidance from veteran bat dog "Rookie" and his owner via social media messages, Omaha quickly found her groove.

Fans adored her. Her charming antics, even her occasional mistakes, only endeared her more to the crowd.

"Some of these fans treat her like a celebrity and point her out on the concourse and ask to take pictures with her." — David Lamm

By late July, Omaha’s performances became flawless. On July 24, 2024, she retrieved 11 bats in a single game, batting a perfect 1.000—a stat any player would envy. Her adorable enthusiasm, speed, and near-perfect track record earned Omaha near-celebrity status.

"The players in the dugout all say they wish they could have a perfect night at the plate like Omaha," Lamm joked.

What's behind the name?

The Lamms, avid fans of college baseball, named their bat-fetching prodigy after Omaha, Nebraska, home of the College World Series since 1950. Could Omaha one day retrieve bats at this prestigious tournament? If her growing fame is any indicator, it's certainly a possibility.

Omaha’s minor league adventures

Omaha's popularity soared beyond the Riptide. After the 2024 summer season concluded, she went pro, retrieving bats at three Class-A minor league affiliates in Southern California. She delighted crowds at Lake Elsinore Storm games (Padres affiliate), the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels affiliate), and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes games (Dodgers affiliate), proving that Omaha was a bat dog ready for the major leagues.

Bright futures ahead

David and Jessica have big plans beyond the 2024 season. They’re exploring more opportunities for Omaha in minor league baseball and beyond.

“I want to do more with her,” David shared. He recommends anyone inspired by Omaha to begin training early: "Start them young. It might sound cliché, but it’s cliché for a reason. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks."

"Start them young. It might sound cliché, but it’s cliché for a reason. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks." — David Lamm

With years of bat-fetching ahead, Omaha's baseball story is just beginning. And when the time eventually comes to retire her from bat-retrieving duties, the Lamms plan to adopt another eager pup to follow in her paw prints.

Until then, fans can continue enjoying this baseball-loving retriever and cheering for Omaha—the bat dog who's batting 1.000 in adorability.