USPBL Announces New Addition to the Team: Apprentice Bat Dog Named Scout!

November 25th, 2024

ROCHESTER, Mich. –.The United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL powered by UWM) is thrilled to announce the addition of a new member to our team — a new puppy who will be the USPBL’s apprentice to current Bat Dog JJ, The Field General, who works fetching the bat at every USPBL baseball game at Jimmy John’s Field. With a wagging tail and a heart full of energy, our new puppy, named Scout, will be in the new Puppy Pen during the 2025 season. 

Scout was born on October 5th in Anderson, Calif. and will surely have a love for baseballs, bats, and crowds. He will train under USPBL Super Star Bat Dog JJ’s tutelage during the 2025 and 2026 baseball seasons. The puppy will be ready to take the field full-time in the 2027 season, with the perfect mix of charm, athleticism, and dedication to help make the game day experience even more exciting for our fans. At that time, JJ will be able to retire from active field work and start enjoying lazy summer days at the ballpark.

“Our new bat dog is a great addition to our team,” said Andy Appleby, Owner, Commissioner and CEO. “We’ve been looking for the right personality and energy to bring to the ballpark, and we believe he is going to be a fan favorite. Not only is he going to learn from JJ, who is fantastic at retrieving bats, but he will surely have an infectious spirit that will bring joy to everyone around.”

“We’re thrilled to introduce our new puppy in 2025, but we want to make sure that the fans feel involved in every step of the process,” said Appleby. “Naming our new puppy is the perfect way for the community to be a part of his story from the very beginning. We can’t wait to see all the creative, fun, and clever name ideas that come in!”

JJ will continue to retrieve bats and interact with fans at all home games during the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Scout will be around for photos between training sessions before stepping in the batters box in 2027.