Russ Clark hears the jokes from his own dugout.

He’s an old man. A grizzled veteran. In the league so long his first name actually changed.

Known as Russell Clark when he joined the Butler BlueSox four seasons ago, Clark has made a much bigger transformation than just shortening his first name.

“I think I’ve gotten a better understanding of what summer ball means,” Clark said. “For most guys it’s a way to get seen by pro scouts and make a name for themselves. It’s also good for guys to come and work on stuff; pitchers working on pitches and hitters working on bunting or getting their timing better.

“As a teammate, it’s helped me a lot.”

Clark is thought to be the only player in Prospect League history to play four seasons in the league.

A catcher, Clark has logged 139 games in his stint with the BlueSox.

The Wexford native and Pine-Richland graduate is a fan-favorite in Butler. When he is announced in the starting lineup, the cheers are louder. When he steps to the plate, there is an obvious, palpable excitement.

“The No. 1 reason I come back is the feeling of being wanted,” Clark said. “The fans cheer extra loud for me. It definitely feels great to be wanted. I’ve played on this field almost my whole life, so to be able to continue to play on it is special.”

While Clark’s career in Butler has been steady, his campaigns in college have not.

Clark transferred to Division II Lincoln Memorial University from the University of Cincinnati and played well for the Railsplitters this season, batting .305.

Clark only played four games in 2015 for the Bearcats before an oblique injury wiped out his season.

He received a medical redshirt.

That opened the door for his return to Butler for a fourth season this summer.

And he’s making the most of it.

“He’s been a big lift for us,” said Butler managed Jason Radwan. “He’s very good behind the plate. He always come ready to work and you never have to worry about him. He loves to be back there.”

Clark said he feels like an extension of the coaching staff.

“I feel like a coach during bullpens, working with guys,” Clark said.

Radwan has leaned heavily on Clark in handling the pitching staff.

“He understands what we’re all about,” Radwan said. “He understands our pitchers and takes care of them. We never have any worries when he’s back there.”

Clark has gone high-tech in his pursuit to become a better hitter.

Clark noticed he was having trouble seeing the ball at certain times during the game — mainly at dusk.

He now wears glasses to cut down on the glare.

“I thought it was a mental thing,” Clark said. “I played school ball this year and I tried to figure it out. My first at-bat, I felt great at the plate, I was seeing the ball well. Then my next two at-bats, I felt like I couldn’t see the ball well. Then my last at-bat, I could see the ball great again. I figured out at dusk it’s hard for me to see. During the day I can see and at night when the sun goes down I can see. It’s just at dusk I was having problems.”

Clark looked into it and discovered he wasn’t alone.

“A lot of Major League guys have the same problem,” Clark said. “That’s the biggest difference for me this year. I can see the ball well and it helps my confidence.”

Clark also did depth perception training to train his eyes to pick up a depth of an object better.

While Clark saw his average dip to .218 after Thursday night’s game, he is making loud outs.

“This is by far his best year hitting for us,” Radwan said. “He’s been putting good swings on the ball and having better ABs than he has in the past.”