New Hampshire Fisher Cats Bat Dog Dies

MANCHESTER, NH — The New Hampshire Fisher Cats bat dog, for many years, has died, according to the team.

Ollie the Bat Dog was with the team for nine seasons but retired from retrieving after the 2016 season. He was 56-years-old in dog years. During the past few seasons, he would sometimes make "celebrity guest appearances," the team said, including for the 2018 championship season.

The team said the golden retriever's impact on the organization and fans has been celebrated in several ways — including a jersey, a bobblehead, and hats. While there is a lot to see at a Fisher Cats game, often, the loudest cheers would come when Ollie would make his way onto the field to retrieve a bat.

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The team will also be celebrating his life with a celebration night sometime during the 2021 season.

"No matter how old you were or how many times you'd seen him do it, you couldn't help but smile and cheer when Ollie took the field," Mike Ramshaw, the Fisher Cats president, said. "He'll always be an important part of the Fisher Cats family and we're proud to honor his memory this coming season."

The Fisher Cats are encouraging fans to make donations to K9 With A Mission, an org that supports companion dogs for vets, in Ollie's honor. Tito's Handmade Vodka, a community partner of the Fisher Cats, is offering an up-to-$2,000 match on donations to the org.

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