Advertisement

Lake Elsinore Storm’s new MVP has four legs, wagging tail

Omaha the Bat Dog showcases her training, focus, and crowd-pleasing presence on the field during a Lake Elsinore Storm game. Photo provided by David Lamm.

A new fan favorite made a big impression at Diamond Stadium on opening night on April 7.

Omaha, an energetic trained bat dog, delighted fans as she sprinted across the field with confidence, style, and a clear sense of purpose. A unique mix of golden retriever, flat-coated retriever, and white Swiss shepherd, Omaha has a talent for retrieving wooden baseball bats and returning them safely to the dugout—often with a touch of flair that draws cheers from the crowd.

Born on November 15, 2022, Omaha’s journey took a pivotal turn when she was adopted by Jessica and David Lamm at just eight weeks old. The Lamms adopted Omaha with the sole purpose of training her to retrieve bats for the collegiate wood bat summer baseball team, Orange County Riptide, where David serves as a general manager.

In February 2024, the Lamms hired professional trainer Greg Ogden. Omaha’s specialized training focused on discipline, precision, and focus—preparing her to navigate a high-energy ballpark environment filled with noise, movement, and distractions, all while staying locked in on her task of retrieving a bat.

Omaha poses for a photo with her humans, David and Jessica Lamm. Photo provided by David Lamm.

Results came quickly, and Omaha’s hard work paid off in a big way. On June 9, 2024, she made her debut during the third game on the Orange County Riptide home schedule, instantly winning over the crowd. 

After completing the Orange County Riptide 2024 summer ball season, Omaha advanced to the minor league stage, making appearances with Lake Elsinore Storm, Inland Empire 66ers, and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

At the end of the minor league season in September 2024, the Storm and 66ers expressed interest in making Omaha a regular feature at their home games.

On February 6, 2025, just six months after making her first appearance at Diamond Stadium, the Lake Elsinore Storm officially announced Omaha as its first bat dog in franchise history, marking a milestone moment for the organization and for Omaha.

Seated and attentive, Omaha prepares for her moment to retrieve a bat at the Orange County Riptide game. Photo provided by David Lamm.

Since then, Omaha has quickly become more than just part of the game—she’s part of the experience. Whether she’s dashing after a bat or trotting back to the dugout to applause and cheers, her presence adds an extra layer of excitement for fans of all ages.

The team is already embracing her growing popularity. Fans attending the Storm game on Sunday, August 23, will have the chance to take home a special keepsake—an Omaha the Bat Dog squishy pillow, available while supplies last.

Omaha’s impact goes beyond the ballpark. She makes school appearances promoting responsible pet ownership, pet safety, and the importance of adopting pets from shelters. Her children’s book, Omaha the Bat Dog, will be available on her website soon.

Adding to her star power, Omaha has her own theme song, “Go Get it, Omaha!” The pop-punk-style track by Churro the Pitsky debuted in the summer of 2025 and is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

Calm and camera-ready, Omaha poses during a press conference. Photo provided by David Lamm.

Omaha’s recently discovered talent is playing soccer. On February 28, she made an appearance with the Temecula Football Club, where she showcased impressive goalie skills, blocking five of eight penalty shots.

From her early days of training to her standout performances under the stadium lights, Omaha is proving that sometimes the most memorable players on the field walk on four legs.

Omaha makes appearances at the stadium on select Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. She can also be found on Facebook and Instagram at OmahaTheBatDog, and at www.omahathebatdog.com.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Social Media

Explore More

Categories

Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

No spam, notifications only about local news stories. 

On Key

Related Posts

DUI Checkpoint planned for Lake Elsinore

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Station will be conducting a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, August 28, between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.