By Frank O’Donnell, WPRO Arts and Entertainment Contributor

Fred Sullivan is Don – always Don, never Donald. He’s a Little League coach on a mission to win. That’s the name of the game in Fred’s world.

Joel Kipper is Michael – he prefers Michael, not Mike, not Mikey. He’s new to the game of baseball, volunteering as Don’s assistant so he can spend some quality time with his son.

From their first meeting at Don’s favorite watering hole, you can tell these two are an odd couple. It’s all about winning for Don. It’s all about participating and having fun for Michael.

That’s the set-up for “Rounding Third,” the new two-man dramedy at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick, playing through Father’s Day.

The story is well-told through the dialogue between Don and Michael. When it comes time to address the players on the team, the speeches are aimed at the audience.

The two-hour show is fast-paced, moving through an entire baseball season – from the initial practice inside a gym because there’s still snow on the ground, to the league’s final championship game.

Sullivan plays Don like the Archie Bunker of the new millennium. He’s set in his ways, and has definite opinions about most everything. “I don’t judge” is his watchword, and the warning that’s he’s judging big-time. There’s a juvenile side to him that’s fun and annoying at the same time.

Kipper’s Michael is a hyper business executive – or so we believe – who really just wants to bond with his son over a group activity. It takes him a while to stand up to Don’s bullying tactics, but when he does, the fireworks go off. Kipper is especially impressive in a monologue where he prays that God will let his son catch a fly ball.

“Rounding Third” has been called “The Odd Couple” of baseball. To some degree, that’s true. But this show has heart too, and it’s well worth seeing.

Sullivan and Kipper are a formidable duo – handling the comedy and the drama with equal ease. Here’s hoping we get to see them play some more.

For tickets and info, call the OSTC box office at 401.921.6800 or visit www.oceanstatetheatre.org.