Matthew Arkin, who appeared in the Chicago-area world premiere of Rounding Third, plays opposite Robert Clohessy.

John Rando, Tony Award-winning director of Urinetown, directs. Eric Krebs produces with Ted Tulchin, Robert G. Bartner and Chase Mishkin.

Clohessy appeared in Manhattan Theatre Club's Bad Habits; Arkin had a successful Off-Broadway run in Dinner With Friends.

"Rounding Third introduces us to two coaches — one a veteran, the other a new recruit — and their markedly different personal circumstances and philosophies about the game," according to production notes. "Their clash of styles and wills drives this funny, acerbic and touching play through the bumpy terrain of fatherhood and baseball."

Rounding Third was inspired by playwright Dresser's own coaching experiences, he told Playbill On Line. He said the issues in the play are real in the world of coaching, and in life itself: The losers in life are unhappy and the winners are happy. Or so goes one opinion in the comedy. Dresser's plays include Wonderful World, What Are You Afraid Of?, Below the Belt, The Downside, Alone at the Beach, Better Days, Bait & Switch, Bed & Breakfast and Splitsville.

Rounding Third premiered in fall 2002 at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, IL, featuring George Wendt and Arkin. It has since played productions at Laguna Playhouse and San Diego's Old Globe Theatre (with Tom McGowan and Jeffrey Hutchinson). It plays San Jose Rep in early 2004.

Designers are Derek McLane (set) and F. Mitchell Dana (lighting).

Tickets are $55. The John Houseman Theatre is at 450 W. 42nd Street. For information, call (212) 239-6200. For group sales, call (212) 967-7079.