Tony Vitello's next SF Giants target is clear after dugout lip-reading moment

It has been a frustrating start to the season for new SF Giants manager Tony Vitello. While the team looked a lot better in its last two games against the Philadelphia Phillies, certain decisions Vitello has made have come under question. It seems Vitello is questioning some things himself, including why the Giants have such old ball retrievers on the field.

Some lip readers on social media caught a moment in the Giants dugout on Wednesday in which Vitello looked to be pretty displeased with an older ball dude who was trying his best to retrieve a foul ball in right field. Maybe he was mad about something else, but the lip readers may be right.

Tony Vitello does not seem to be a fan of SF Giants ball dudes

It's not the first time lip readers have stirred up a Giants controversy this season so maybe it is becoming something of a trend. Matt Chapman and Vitello should probably learn a lesson that Will Clark taught to Greg Maddux and the Chicago Cubs back in 1989 and start covering their mouths when they talk on the field or in the dugout.

Vitello is new to San Francisco so he can be forgiven for not quite appreciating the fact that the Giants have made an effort to have people of all ages serve on the field in the Balldude/Balldudette program.

He may also be spoiled by the fact that he was just down in San Diego and saw how efficient the ball girls there are. For years the Padres have used softball players and it shows as they have made some very impressive plays over the years.

While efficiency is great, Giants fans have plenty of fond memories over the years of seeing someone who probably hasn't played organized baseball or softball in decades try to stop a scorching foul ball. Some of the best moments of any Giants broadcast come when broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper break down an attempt from a Balldude or Balldudette to field a ball.

Sure, do the advanced age of some of these folks slow down the game slightly at times or force a player to go get a ball? Absolutely. But I'd take that every single time just to hear Kruk and Kuip riff on a guy who hasn't put on a glove since his 2016 softball league taking one right in the boiler.

Whether Vitello likes it or not, the Balldude/Balldudette program is here to stay. Let's just hope he shows that same annoyance when he blows the game by bringing Ryan Borucki into a high-leverage situation going forward.