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Brewphoria: Bat-Boys

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Jun 29, 2011 at 9:11 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 29, 2011 at 9:18 PM MDT

You see them run on the field again...and again. But the life of a bat boy isn't as simple as you might think.

"I work from 1 to about 11 o'clock at night. And it's actually quite fun, because I get to help Pops with whatever he needs me to do, and Joe and Players, whatever they need me to do" says bat-boy Riley Senger.

Their duties are all across the board, as Brewers Manager Joe Ayrault says, "As far as getting the field prepared, bringing the balls out, and knowing where to put them for our defensive drills. Water coolers in the bullpen and the dugouts, and just staying focused in the game. We always tell them don't turn your head and start talking too much, a foul ball come firing into the dugout."

While the job is a lot of fun for the bat boys, they all admit there is one thing that isn't so much fun.

"Working in the hot sun." Says bat-boy Matt Hartnett.
"Playing in the Sun, getting sun-burned and everything," Chimes in Senger

Hartnett says the best part of the job is getting to be around pro ball-players, "We always talk and stuff like that, it's always fun to hangout with the players."

Many of the players show genuine appreciation for the bat-boys help.

"Good kids, good kids man. They are out here early...I think earlier than us, and later than us...you know nothing you to complain about with those guys," says Brewer Brent Dean.

While some others may give some good-natured ribbing.

"You know we have Riley, he's been great. He's kinda a little out there sometimes, but I think we need to get him a bigger uniform to be honest...that's what we should be focusing on right now." Laughs Parker Berberet (Brewer Catcher).

Senger addresses the wise-cracks with a smile on his face, "They like to joke around a lot which sometimes ticks me off, but sometimes it's really good."

Knowing that some of these players may be in the big leagues soon is a fun reality for the bat-boys.

"Ya, it'd be awesome to see them in major leagues," Says Senger.

Hartnett keeps it simple, "I think it's really cool."

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