Popular Bat Dog Goes Viral After Deciding to Play a Game of Fetch in the Middle of a Baseball Game
Ripken is not your average baseball dog, and that is exactly why fans keep watching. The 5-year-old black Lab has turned bat retrieval into a full-time gig, and his viral moments keep showing why he is such a natural on the field.
He works for three teams, including the Durham Bulls, North Carolina State Baseball, and the Holly Springs Salamanders, and his schedule is packed with games, appearances, and plenty of attention. What makes Ripken stand out is not just the job, but the way he seems to treat every inning like a game of his own.
One mid-game fetch session helped push him even further into the spotlight. Read on.
Ripken, a 5-year-old black Lab, is a Bat Dog for three teams
For the first four innings of each home game, Ripken's father, Michael O'Donnell, remains in the dugout while the dedicated dog collects bats for the players. Ripken's passion for the job is not surprising; his ancestors also had a passion for retrieving.
That family connection makes the whole thing even more fitting.
"Ripken's dad is [the late] Cowboy Kohl, the former kicking tee retriever for the Boise State University football team," his human dad says.
!["Ripken's dad is [the late] Cowboy Kohl, the former kicking tee retriever for the Boise State University football team," his human dad says.](https://static.pupperish.com/posts/d42262f77ef337f1bc0f6e8b584cd501_16325_700.jpg)
Everyone wants to see Ripken because he is a dual-sport athlete. He has a very busy schedule.
That kind of fame does not leave much downtime.
Watch a video of Ripken's Bat Dog duties captured by a GoPro camera:
Ripken spends his free time by his dad's side.
At home, he's working with Dad in the backyard, going on hikes through the woods, or lying in his favorite bed next to his 14-year-old big brother, Bruschi. He also plays T-ball with the kids (fetching their bats), begs for belly rubs, and runs to the fridge every time he hears the ice dispenser.
This is similar to American Humane’s 2024 Hero Dog, honored for rescuing a 7-year-old kidnapping victim.
"We plan our schedule around Ripken's baseball games, football games, interviews, and photoshoots," he added.
“Ripken has been just the sweetest pup we could have ever imagined,” O'Donnell said.
His family is very proud of him. And they should be.
Ripken is very devoted to his family. He prefers spending time with them, despite the excitement of his work in Minor League Baseball.
Ripken has been just the sweetest pup we could have ever imagined. We have truly been blessed. I pray that every dog we bring into our family in the future is just half as sweet as Ripken is. We're so proud of everything he's done.
This dog has all of the attributes you would expect from a true athlete and a good boy.
Wait, you thought Ripken’s fetch was impressive, check out the dog who snagged a home run ball. Did the dog catch that?
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