With Spring in the air and major league baseball season open, no comedy could be timelier than Richard Dresser’s “Rounding Third”, opening April 24th at All An Act Theatre in Columbus Square.

Rounding Third is the tumultuous journey of two completely opposite little league coaches through an entire season, from their first meeting to the climactic championship game.

Don (Larry Lewis) is the tough, blue-collar, win-at-all-costs veteran coach whose son is the star pitcher. Michael (David W. Mitchell) is a newcomer both to the town and to baseball. He’s a corporate executive who agrees to be Don’s assistant because he wants a special activity with his son, who’s never played baseball before.

Michael believes that the job of the coaches is to shield the kids from the intense pressure of competition while making sure everyone has a good time. Don thinks they should be teaching the kids how to win.

Despite their differences, Michael and Don form an uneasy alliance for the benefit of the team. And over the course of exhilarating victories, heartbreaking defeats, and interminable rain-outs, the two men battle over how to lead the team.

“This show is so us… Larry and I, I mean says Mitchell, All An Act’s Artistic Director. “Larry and I have been friends for 11 years, and when we found this show, we knew we had to do it. Larry is an avid sports fan: football, college basketball,…. I’m not. He was an athlete his whole life. I played some sports in grade school and neighborhood games, but I was never any good at them… and I never followed professional sports after age 12. I was much happier being onstage. I actually had a coach in “little gridders” football that was a lot like Larry’s character. As I recall, he found a young-looking 17 year old to be our quarterback so we could win more games.”

“On the flip side I am very unlike my character. I hated him when I first read him. Unlike Michael, I am very competitive, even with myself. I think competition is good… in sports… in business… in life. I think it’s important for kids and adults to know both the joys of winning and the fear and disappointment that go along with losing. That’s how we grow as people. What’s important to me is not to let an occasional loss ruin everything else you’ve strived to achieve. Metaphorically speaking, at the end of the day, there’s always another game on the horizon.”

Lewis, A3’s managing director adds,”When I read this script it was like deja vu. I could have played on this team when I was 10 years old. It brought back a lot of memories from my youth. I still run into guys I played Little League with over 40 years ago, and we rehash situations like they were yesterday. I have coached players from Little League to grown men, and sometimes, you can’t tell the difference.”

Lewis continues, “True story: when I was 12 years old I played for Brown and Jones Drug Store in the Anthony Wayne League at Hammermill Field on the East side. I was pitching, and the lead off batter attempted a bunt that came right back to the mound. I fielded the ball cleanly and threw to first base. The runner was out by a few steps. When the first base umpire called the batter safe, no one could believe it. I then went on to retire the next 21 batters in a row. My perfect game was blown because of a terrible call. After the game, I approached the umpire and asked him if he really thought the batter was safe. He then apologized to me and said “No. But I had made up my mind earliier that I was going to call the first runner safe”. That umpire is now an Erie attorney (who will remain nameless). And if he were running for Judge today (which he isn’t), there is no way I could in my heart vote for him. As my character Don says, “Yes, I do remember”.

“Larry and I really know how to play off of one another… because we are so different and know each other so well.”, says Mitchell. “Imagine Felix Unger and Oscar Madison coaching little league together. – That’s us to a tee.”

Additionally, by attending the show you’re also donating to the needy, as $1.00 of every ticket is contributed to Community Shelter services, which houses the theatre. Community Shelter Services provides shelter, help, and hope to Erie’s homeless.

Warning: Rounding Third contains adult language that some may find offensive. It is rated PG-13

For more information on specific performances and times, visit the All An Act website at www.allanact.net.