# Orioles bullpen keeps it loose with quirky rituals > Baltimore's relief pitchers use creative routines and games to manage the mental demands of baseball. - Title: Orioles bullpen keeps it loose with quirky rituals | Shortify - Summary: Baltimore's relief pitchers use creative routines and games to manage the mental demands of baseball. Relief pitchers thrive by balancing intense focus with… - Keywords: baltimore orioles, relief pitchers, bullpen culture, team bonding, andrew kittredge, alex hoppe, josh walker, yennier cano, mlb, baseball routines, mental game, news - Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/orioles-relievers-fun-moments-YZN3KMTMEZEWFME5CVNWIWFWNE - Author: Andy Kostka - Published: 2026-09-18T14:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: baltimore orioles, relief pitchers, bullpen culture, team bonding, andrew kittredge, alex hoppe, josh walker, yennier cano, mlb, baseball routines, mental game, news ## New guy follows the snake Alex Hoppe arrived from Seattle in an August trade and had no idea what his new teammates were doing. He just copied their every move through the outfield, left turn by left turn. > I didn't know what the rules were. They turned left, I turned left, and when they turned right, I turned right. ## The snake has no name Orioles relievers walk to the bullpen in a single-file line that snakes inefficiently through the outfield. Andrew Kittredge started it randomly one day, and now the whole group follows. > Follow-the-leader, snake, I don't know. We don't really call it anything. We just do it. ## Kittredge breaks the monotony The right-hander wanted to lighten the mood by doing something different from the usual routine. He randomly veers left and right, and his teammates dutifully follow without question. > We walk out there every day. I just wanted to do something different to lighten the mood. ## It's part of welcoming people Hoppe sees the snake ritual as Kittredge's way of making new players feel included. Getting a laugh, even at themselves, helps everyone blend in faster. > You know Kitt, he likes to make people feel a bit awkward and stuff. It's part of him welcoming people in. ## Tension relief for locked-in pitchers Josh Walker explains that when every game matters and everyone is focused, small moments like the snake walk help loosen things up. It keeps the bullpen vibes positive and relaxed. > Every game matters, and we're all so locked in out there, but something like that takes some of the tension out of it. ## Personalized bocce in the bullpen After reaching the bullpen, relievers play a custom bocce game with personalized baseballs. Bullpen catcher Ben Carhart drew designs on each ball, including a kitty cat for Kittredge. > Because I'm Kitt, he drew a kitty cat on there. It's pretty cool. He did a good job. ## Yennier Cano leads the bocce race Right-hander Yennier Cano is winning the bullpen bocce competition. The daily champion keeps a special ball with tally marks until someone else takes the lead. ## Group activities build tight bonds Whether it's a two-minute game or the way they walk to the bullpen, these group moments bring relievers together. Kittredge says it helps him stay loose and avoid getting nervous early. > Any time you can do something as a group, I don't know, it just kind of brings guys together. ## Watching the first half of the game Relief pitchers spend long stretches waiting to pitch. Kittredge keeps his mind off the action as long as possible to avoid early nervousness and stay mentally fresh. > The game is long, and we're kind of watching the first half of it, hopefully. If I pay too close of attention to the game too early, I start getting nervous. ## Key takeaway Relief pitchers thrive by balancing intense focus with deliberate moments of levity that build team chemistry.