why is the home team dugout in the AL on the 1st baseline and on the 3rd baseline in the NL?

by Rick
(Tampa)

Rick asked: Home team dugouts; why is the home team dugout in the AL on the first baseline and on the third baseline in the NL?

Rick answered: Rick, thank you for your question.

There are 10 NL teams and 8 AL teams which elect to use the first base dugout in their home stadium.

The numbers that elect the third base dugout when at home are 6 from each league.

There is no stated rule as to which dugout will be used by the home team. Organizations base their decision on the size and condition of the dugouts and locker rooms, orientation to the sun for day games, franchise tradition.

Colleges and high schools most always make their selection based on which dugout faces the sun.

In leagues where there is a common field played on by all in the league, the schedule usually designates which team is the home team, and one specific dugout is always the home team dugout.

The following list is the MLB breakdown for first and third base selections:

First Base

1. Atlanta Braves (N)

2. Baltimore Orioles (A)

3. Boston RedSox (A)

4. Cincinnati Reds (N)

5. Colorado Rockies (N)

6. Houston Astros (A)

7. Kansas City Royals (A)

8. Milwaukee Brewers (N)

9. Minnesota Twins (A)

10. New York Mets (N)

11. New York Yankees (A)

12. Philadelphia Philies (N)

13. San Diego Padres (N)

14. Seattle Mariners (A)

15. St. Louis Cardinals (N)

16. Tampa Bay Rays (A)

17. Texas Rangers (A)

18. Washington Nationals (N)


Third Base

1. Az Diamondbacks (N)

2. Chicago Cubs (N)

3. Chicago WhiteSox (A)

4. Cleveland Indians (A)

5. Detroit Tigers (A)

6. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (A)

7. Los Angeles Dodgers (N)

8. Miami Marlins (N)

9. Oakland Athletics (A)

10. Pittsburgh Pirates (N)

11. San Francisco Giants (N)

12. Toronto Blue jays (A)


Yours in baseball,

Rick