There's no place like home for Kipnis

CHICAGO -- "There's no place like home" isn't a saying reserved for Dorothy. It seems to apply to Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, too.

Kipnis, a native of Northbrook, Ill., was hitting .411 with 15 runs scored, four home runs, 20 RBIs and a 1.179 OPS in 20 career games at U.S. Cellular Field entering Friday's game. With a first-inning single Thursday, Kipnis has hit safely in 19 of those 20 contests.

"I do have a good time hitting in this place," said Kipnis, who is hitting a robust .429 with four doubles, a homer and nine RBIs in his last eight games here. "It's always nice to come home and just feel comfortable here with friends and family in the stands, and having a meal that I probably have eaten before in my stomach. Whatever is the case, I enjoy hitting here."

Kipnis still leaves tickets for friends and family, but he said the number of requests has dwindled since he made his Indians debut in 2011, now that the "awe factor" of his callup has worn off. He remains close with his coaches at Glenbrook North High School, and said he tries to get them to his games on the South Side whenever possible.

Kipnis' high-school teammate, Justin Weiner, is now a coach for the freshman team. Kipnis donates batting gloves and other equipment to the program and would like to help out more in the future.

The only other question remaining is the most obvious: Cubs or Sox? Kipnis went to many games on both sides of town growing up.

"I was a baseball fan, so I didn't pick a side," he said. "I liked the game more than each team."