A Doggone Good Night at the Ballpark
by Terry Massey
They say every dog has his day, and May 15 was it for over 100 lucky, local canines.
That was the Myrtle Beach Pelicans' eighth annual ``Bark at the Park Night'' fund-raiser for the Grand Strand Humane Society, when fans were encouraged to bring their hounds to BB&T Coastal Field to see the hometown team play against the Potomac Nationals.
But most eyes and many hands were on the four-legged, furry friends in the grandstands instead of the ballgame. The pooches splashed around in kiddy pools (I guess you could call them hot dogs) and munched on free chew toys and more traditional ballpark fare.
``This is his first baseball game and we're hoping he doesn't hop the fence and start chasing the balls on the field,'' Samantha Ewing said of her golden retriever, Jeb. ``He loves chasing tennis balls and anything else that moves, so we may have to leave early.''
Boyfriend Eric Sanders was trying to hold Buster back on his leash, not to keep him from chasing balls but from sniffing other dogs. The official doggie handshake was exchanged many times as the dogs and their owners were ushered toward their own special section.
Even dogless fans strolled into the section to pet the heads of the ballpark pups. And those who opted to leave their pooches at home turned out support the cause for the paws.
Like Grand Strand Humane Society board member and Foster's Bar & Grill co-owner Debbie Fonda. She brought a crew of about 20 from Foster's to the eighth annual event. The Pelicans allowed the GSHS to sell discounted tickets to the game and keep the profit.
``This is one of the many fund-raisers we hold for the Humane Society and it's been successful,'' said Fonda, whose bar also hold an annual golf tournament for the GSHS. ``People love to bring their dogs to the game and we can raise money and awareness.''
More than 120 four-legged fans attended the game, but the plan was for even more to go home afterwards. The GSHS brought along some potential adoptees in case any fans wanted to take home a family member. There were no takers but lots of interested people.
``We've been talking about getting a dog for a long time and now that my kids have seen them and petted them, I guess it's going to be real soon,'' said tourist Curtis Williamson of Asheville, N.C. ``When we do, it will definitely be from our local animal shelter.''
The crowd also got to see Deuce, the new replacement for Dinger the Home Run Dog. The longtime team mascot turned 12 (that's 84 to you and me) this year and retired from his duties as umpire caddy. Deuce, also a yellow Lab, is doing great in his rookie season.
``Dinger's fine, he's just old and having problems getting around,'' said Pelicans' PA announcer Ryan Ibbotson, who adopted Dinger upon his retirement. ``It's great that we have a place like the Humane Society that helps other older dogs and pups find homes.''
And to take them out to the ballgame.
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