The Dugout

   On each side of the field, in foul territory are the areas designated for the teams personnel called the dugout.  Although for a fan watching the game these areas of the ballpark go almost unnoticed, but for the players, managers, coaches, and other members of a ball club this is one of the most important places on the field.   For the team, the dugout is the information hub that provides the keys to winning a game.  The managers and coaches send in signs to the the field, and the players can talk about game strategy without the opposing team listening in or reading their lips.  The equipment is stored there and some of the most important people, the trainers, are there to provide treatment at a moment's notice for all of the dings and scrapes that the long baseball season produces. 
   The dugout was originally designed just like many of the high school and college dugouts today.  They were located in foul territory and consisted of a bench at same level as the playing field.  As professional baseball gained popularity, however, there was a need to build bigger stadiums with more seating to accommodate the fans.  The dugouts were changed and now featured a bench area with walls and concrete steps that were located below the playing surface.  This allowed seats to be placed behind the dugout without obstructing the fans view of home plate.  The fans could now purchase seats close to the field and the team personnel had their own private area away from them to concentrate on the game being played.  Most professional dugouts now also feature a tunnel that leads to the home and away clubhouses; which is perfect for those times when a temper tantrum is necessary, or when the Tigers are locked into a tight game and Jim Leyland just needs that puff of a Marlboro to calm his nerves.  The dugout serves as a place where only the members a special fraternity of people lucky enough to be associated with a big league club are welcome, and also provides a much needed shelter from the fans and cameras.  The Official Rules of Major League Baseball supports this, stating that "no one except players, substitutes, managers, coaches, trainers and bat boys shall occupy a bench during a game." (MLB Rule 3.17) 
   A fan attending a game might notice that in some stadiums the home team's dugout is located on the first base side, and in others it is on the third base side.  There are no rules against which dugout is designated for the home or away team so it is the choice of the home franchise to decide which dugout they will occupy.  More of the Major League ballparks feature the home dugout on the first base side, and the reason for this might be because most of the close plays take place at first base and the manager will get a better view of the play.  As stated earlier this is completely the preference of the home club and the choice might also have to do with which side simply has the better clubhouse.  Whatever the reason, the dugout or bench serves the same purpose and what occurs there has provided enough stories to fill books.  It is the place where the players can relax and be themselves without the pressure of being under the microscope of cameras and fans like they are when on the field of play.  For the fans, the dugout serves as the place that houses their heroes, the focal point until the home team takes the field and it is time to "Play Ball!"  The legendary stories from the dugout provides hours of entertainment to be discussed throughout time.  From Roger McDowell's hot foot and Turk Wendell brushing his teeth between innings, to Bobby Valentine's moustache disguise and the famous fight between Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson in Fenway, the dugout serves as the starting location where the game takes on a personality all its own.