8 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GROUNDSKEEPERS

It's not all YMCA and praying against rain for these guys.

by Dan Reilly, via Bob Christofferson (Mariners Head Groundskeeper)

1. WE DREAM OF GREENER PASTURES. "I began in Triple-A, in Tacoma, responsible for everything from the lights to stadium maintenance to the parking lot. Most of us got started in the minors, although some were assistants in the majors. Horticulture degrees didn't exist back then, but you need one to get a top job nowadays."

2. WE'RE A DIRTY DOZEN. "Our crew has 17 people; two are full-time. Thirty minutes before the first pitch, 12 of us tend the grass, infield and basepaths. I'm old-fashioned—I like straight mow lines, no patterns. The ball follows the lines, so we angle them toward the outfielders' positions. Ichiro loves it."

3. MY EYES ARE ON THE SKY. "I start to check the weather at 6 a.m., and it's the last thing I do before bed; I have a feed from the local TV radar. But I'll still check the clouds from on top of Safeco Field. The roof closes in 10 minutes, so I can make the call right up to game time."

4. WE TRAIN FOR RAIN—IN VAIN. "We've had only one rain delay, when the roof was hit by lightning and wouldn't close. Still, on off-days we practice stretching the tarps. You want them unrolled in less than two minutes. Sometimes concession guys and ushers help us, so we practice with them, too. "

5. WE CATER TO INFIELDERS & "Some guys prefer the dirt hard and fast. Others, like shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, like it slow and soft. I watch how the balls roll in BP, ask the players what they think, then water accordingly."

6. …AND PITCHERS "We make the mound firm in the landing area and soft up top so guys can get ahold. We want it perfect for the starter, good enough for the bullpen. If a ground-ball pitcher is going, we water the dirt near home and leave the grass longer."

7. …BUT NOT OPPONENTS. "A visiting player once said, 'The infield is too soft.' I replied, 'Good, we like it that way.'"

8. WE CAN MOW AND MOVE. "An old owner liked the 'YMCA' dance the Yankees grounds crew does, so now a former Sonics choreographer teaches us steps to three songs a year. Lately it's 'Thriller.' I have two left feet, but the fans don't care."

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