Major League Baseball

Before the crowds, the cleanup

Published Oct. 9, 2010 10:10 p.m. ET

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The day after the Texas Rangers became the AL West champs, after the Champagne was popped and poured in Oakland and players and fans alike were reveling in clinching the team's first playoff appearance in 11 years, it was business as usual at Rangers Ballpark.

The infield dirt was raked smooth and the baselines were drawn ruler-straight. Stacks of cups at the beer stands were ready to be filled. Game balls roughed up with dirt were stacked in the dugout.

And when the Rangers ran onto the field that night in Arlington, and fireworks went off as the division champions banner was unfurled over center field, the thrum of playoff anticipation was in the air.

But to get to that moment, hundreds of workers spent hours prepping the stadium for game time.

From the clubhouse to the grounds to the concession stands, each piece of the preparation is vital to make sure the first pitch goes smoothly.

THE CLUBHOUSE: Though it's technically the umpires' duty, Richard "Hoggy" Price, the clubhouse manager, has been rubbing game balls for more than 20 years.

"I can do about nine dozen in 20 minutes," the clubhouse manager said, dipping his hand into a container marked "Hoggy's Mud Bucket."

Now he makes sure the players have what they need before, during and after games. These duties fall to the clubhouse attendants, who answer to the players as much as they do to Price.

Attendant Mason McKenna is a lifelong baseball fan. So working in a major league clubhouse - yeah, it's pretty much a dream job.

"I didn't think I'd be picking up dirty underwear, but you've got to start somewhere," said McKenna, 21.

THE GROUNDS CREW: At 8 a.m., well before anyone else arrived at Rangers Ballpark, the grounds crew was trimming the outfield grass and repairing the pitcher's mound. They're continuously manicuring the field right up until game time.

When the clubhouse staff was getting to work, grounds director Dennis Klein and his staff were starting to water the grass and working on the infield dirt.

And as soon as the opposing team started jogging off the field, grounds manager Stephen Lord and his crew got right to work flattening and raking the infield dirt and rechalking baselines and home plate.

DMN

Parking tips for today

•Allow extra time to arrive at Rangers Stadium because of the 2:30 p.m. Texas A&M-Arkansas game at Cowboys Stadium.

•Fans must present a Rangers game ticket or pre-purchased parking pass for that day's game in order to park in Rangers parking lots.

•Cash parking is available for $10 per vehicle. Cash lots are primarily on the north and east sides of the ballpark.

•Check TexasRangers.com for the latest information or call the Rangers parking hotline at 972-PARKING.

SOURCES: Texas Rangers, Arlington police

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