MADISON, Ala. — When it comes to sports, there are a lot of moving parts. Players and coaches make up just part of what makes a great game.
Groundskeepers work long days and often do not get the recognition they deserve for their hard work.
"On a typical game day well be here 14-16 hours a day like it's nothing," said the Head Groundskeeper, Charlie Weaver.
Prepping a baseball field takes a lot of work. That work can often be creative as well. From checkered grass to designs in the outfield, Weaver said it all comes down to preference.
"It's really just a preference from whoever is mowing that day. Some people like to get crazy, some don't," he continued, "We'll get crazy at the end of the season, but toward the end we'll cool off like we have out here right now."
Weaver said the job is more than just cutting grass.
"It's probably the time away from my family that's the toughest, but I make up for it," Weaver said.
The groundskeeping crew for the Rocket City Trash Pandas were ready to stamp Toyota Field like any other Minor League Team would, but those plans were postponed last year when the pandemic punched its own stamp on the world.
Toyota Field hosted youth baseball tournaments, camps, and community events in place of its 2020 season to help with the sudden lack of income.
Weaver said the difference between prepping for high school/youth tournaments and professional ball is varied depending on the crew. At Toyota Field, the grounds crew likes to keep the two the same.
"They could be Major Leaguers one day, and we want to treat them like they are. So it's about keeping a consistent, safe surface."