Rod Jobs

Posted By: KLKN Newsroom
8@klkntv.com

We continue our special series "Rod Jobs," where Channel 8's Evening Anchor Rod Fowler spends the day doing someone else's job. 

The Lincoln Saltdogs grounds crew invited Rod to be a groundskeeper for this week's Rod Jobs.

Long before you hear the first crack of the bat, there's a special team that gets to the ballpark hours before the National Anthem is ever sung and that's the grounds crew. Their job is to have the field in perfect condition before the game.

Haymarket Park has been awarded the best playing surface in the American association league for 14 years in a row!

These guys take a lot of pride in what they do.

One of the most important jobs? The infield, 75 percent of the game is played here and keeping the clay moist is crucial. Several times before a game water is sprayed on it.

Josh Klute, the head groundskeeper says, “Last thing we want to do is once game time comes is make it bad for the players. Balls will be bouncing all over the place. Be like playing the parking lot if we don't keep the moisture in it.”

Keeping the infield safe, also means a lot of raking, hitting every inch of the diamond.

Now, the one time I can go on the grass is to mow. From little spots in the infield and pushing by hand, To the big machine to handle the outfield which has those special designs on it.

Keeping the grass looking like this, of course, takes fertilizer, weed control and a lot of water. They mow everyday during the growing season whether there's a game or not. And they keep the grass at an inch.

And speaking of those designs in the outfield, they do that by using a roller. It’s located behind the mower blades. 

There are other things like raking up sunflower seeds and other debris by the dugouts and making sure the pitchers mound is perfect.

One of the last jobs? The chalk stripes.

Those leading down the first base line, that was nerve racking trying to keep it straight. 

And the batter's box. It has to be perfectly placed and after a few taps you are ready for a ball game!

Also, these guys are in charge of all of the landscaping around the park and the husker softball field next door.