GetOut Magazine

'Rounding Third' gives perspective to parents
By MAX McQUEEN
Get Out
March 6, 2003

Some Little League coaches will stop at nothing to win each and every game.

Just ask Don, the coach who makes up one half of Rounding Third, Richard Dressers two- man play pitting an intense Little League coach against an easygoing father of a Little Leaguer.

Don is very dedicated to coaching Little League baseball and the concept of winning, says Nick Glaeser, returning to a Valley stage for the first time since 2000. Hes obsessed with instilling those values in the kids. Hes a house painter by day. The only time he feels whole is when hes coaching baseball.

Into Dons narrow world comes a dad who just wants his son to have fun playing sports. As that laid-back dad, Gene Ganssle of Tempe is the bane of coach Dons sports-addicted existence.

All my character wants to do is to be involved in some activity with his kid, Ganssle says.

Although Ganssle isn't a big baseball fan, his castmate Glaeser and his director Bob Sorenson are die-hard followers. In fact, Rounding Third is the second baseball-themed play theyve worked on together. They were in Rough in the Diamond a few years back at Scottsdale Center for the Arts. Actors Theatres production of Rounding Third is only its third staging, so Sorenson called Dresser in upstate New York for insight on his latest play.

Richard said it stems from his experience as a Little League coach. He saw the first show in Chicago and thought it was overproduced. He preferred a much simpler show in Laguna (Calif.). I was happy to hear him say that, because Im keeping it pretty simple.

With real-life parenthood drama playing out in the stands at children's sports events, Sorenson thinks Rounding Third is very topical: Ultimately, this play isnt just about two men with opposing views about coaching. Its really about two dads with contrasting views about fatherhood.

Rounding Third

Where: Stage West, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Ends March 23.
How much: $22.50-$38
Info: