At the mercy of the sky
noah bullard
Baseball is a victim of the elements, and spring training is no exception. However, the grounds crew at George M. Steinbrenner Field has worked hard to make sure the field is ready to go.
“Things have changed so much since I worked on the field,” current security guard and former grounds crew worker Tom Durkin said.
“Things have changed so much since I worked on the field,” current security guard and former grounds crew worker Tom Durkin said.
Juascar Jose Ynoa warms up his hands during the Braves’ contest with the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Photo by: Paige Grider
Photo by: Paige Grider
Despite the Yankees’ starting big names, attendance was low for this Tuesday afternoon game. Before their contest against the Atlanta Braves, the Yankee’s grounds crew had to deal with one of a baseball field’s worst enemies. Rain. Players and fans alike fought frigid temperatures and a late-game shower, but the grounds crew didn’t bring out the tarps.
Empty seats surround a loyal pair of Yankees fans.
Photo by: Paige Grider
Photo by: Paige Grider
“When I was working (grounds), it wasn’t so scientific,” Durkin said. Now, there’s much more preparation involved before players take the field.
The process of preparing a field at the professional level is much more than just mowing and raking the infield. Major league grounds crews battle the elements and do their best to ensure player safety.
Tampa, Florida received less than an inch of rain on Tuesday. However, that’s more than enough for the grounds crew to cover up the mound and keep an extra set of eyes on the condition of the infield. It’s common practice for pro-level teams to wet the infield before games.
“They got lucky today,” said Durkin. “The probably didn’t have to touch the infield before the game.”
The process of preparing a field at the professional level is much more than just mowing and raking the infield. Major league grounds crews battle the elements and do their best to ensure player safety.
Tampa, Florida received less than an inch of rain on Tuesday. However, that’s more than enough for the grounds crew to cover up the mound and keep an extra set of eyes on the condition of the infield. It’s common practice for pro-level teams to wet the infield before games.
“They got lucky today,” said Durkin. “The probably didn’t have to touch the infield before the game.”
Grounds crews work the infield at Champion Stadium.
Photo by: Paige Grider
Photo by: Paige Grider
“I was here for BP (Batting Practice),” said Lisa Clark, a self-proclaimed Braves super-fan. super-fan. “I didn’t see anyone working before the players came out to warm-up.”
Fans like Clark follow field conditions almost as closely as the grounds crews themselves.
The MLB delayed or canceled 25 games in the first three weeks of the season last year. So far during spring training, the weather has held for the Grapefruit League. So far, no Grapefruit League games have been delayed or canceled because of weather. Unfortunately, the Cactus League hasn’t been so fortunate. The very first game of the season, a matchup between the Oakland A’s and the Seattle Mariners was rained out on Feb. 21. Parts of the Cactus League received hail as recently as March 2. Adding to the damage, was a series of five rainouts on March 12.
Major league squads wintering this far South have been lucky, though. The rain on Tuesday, March 5 came as a relief from the scorching temperatures teams faced over the weekend. The heat topped out with an index of around 90 degrees when the Miami Marlins took on the Washington Nationals in Jupiter, Florida on Monday, March 4.
Fans like Clark follow field conditions almost as closely as the grounds crews themselves.
The MLB delayed or canceled 25 games in the first three weeks of the season last year. So far during spring training, the weather has held for the Grapefruit League. So far, no Grapefruit League games have been delayed or canceled because of weather. Unfortunately, the Cactus League hasn’t been so fortunate. The very first game of the season, a matchup between the Oakland A’s and the Seattle Mariners was rained out on Feb. 21. Parts of the Cactus League received hail as recently as March 2. Adding to the damage, was a series of five rainouts on March 12.
Major league squads wintering this far South have been lucky, though. The rain on Tuesday, March 5 came as a relief from the scorching temperatures teams faced over the weekend. The heat topped out with an index of around 90 degrees when the Miami Marlins took on the Washington Nationals in Jupiter, Florida on Monday, March 4.
Infield rakes are used to level out any imperfections in the playing surface.
Photo by Paige Grider
Photo by Paige Grider
The forecast looks good, with highs the next few days reaching into the mid 60’s, gives teams a welcome break from the heat. Temperatures like these replicate conditions players will face deep into the fall, and some would even say that days like these are perfect for America’s pastime.
