is there a rule or etiquette?: who gets which dugout?

In many tournaments it is set up before the event starts

In HS play it is usually the hometeams choice


Where there is no set rule in an event then we try and keep the one we are winning from


When I am coaching I like the third base dugout so my old legs dont have to travel so far

Must be etiquette, with the home team having the choice, I can't find a reference in the HS book, nor the Offical Baseball Rule Book. Local leagues may also adopt a rule which specifies which team gets which dug-out.

I always liked the one in the shade.

"I like the shade" reminds me of what I thought was poor etiquette. I was coaching a 16 year old Babe Ruth team, we hail from the rainy half or the great state of WA. west side and the state tournament was hosted in the blazing Eastern half of our great state, we go from sunny and 80* to sunny and 110*. In the championship against the host team mind you, I win the toss, select home and the shady dugout. The home team manager says we always get the third base dugout, I ask the TD, of course another local and he concurs that the host team gets their choice, I think the prudent thing to do is let the home team in the book have the choice.

Or you could use the "Brooklyn" way-- squatters rights---first team in the dugout owns it-- another good reason for getting to the field early

At both colleges where I coached the 3B dugout was the Home dugout. In both instances we changed it to the 1B dugout.

There are several small advantages in having the 1B dugout. I wanted every advantage possible, no matter how small it might be.

Some of those advantages include, and there are more:

On deck hitter being in better position to help runner trying to score.

3B coach has better view of the dugout and signs from the dugout.

Catcher has slightly easier view of the dugout for any signs.

Left side of the infield has better view of the dugout. 3rd baseman usually called defensive plays.

Easier to chart hitters, especially RH hitters.

Easier for base stealers to pick up pitchers delivery and pick off moves. (closer to view from 1B). Base stealers would always set on far end (towards right field of dugout)

Overall better view of the game.

I do understand in some cases the 3B side could be better. Especially if the 3B coach was responsible for making all the substitutions. It is easier to communicate to the dugout. Other than that, and as TR stated shorter walk for the 3B coach, I see no advantages in the 3B dugout. Except for a better view of left handed hitters.

In cold windy conditions or looking straight into the sun, I would prefer the most comfortable of the two dugouts.

I've played in many summer tournaments where after the coin toss, you get your choice of home/visitor or you get your choice of dugout. To most coaches, dugout choice is secondary.

Also played in quite a few tournament where the dugouts are designated by the tournamnet director just to keep things simple and consistent for the official scorekeepers.