Bat boys: They’re a constant presence in baseball, clad in uniforms mirroring the players, yet often overlooked. While they’re always on the field, a key question arises: Do Bat Boys Travel With The Team? The answer, surprisingly, is mostly no, leading to a fascinating system of uniform swaps and behind-the-scenes protocols. Let’s delve into the intriguing culture of bat boys and their uniforms.
The Home vs. Visiting Bat Boy Dynamic
The core concept to understand is that, barring rare exceptions, bat boys typically don’t accompany the team on road trips. Instead, the home team employs both a “home” bat boy and a “visiting” bat boy.
In Minor League Baseball, the arrangement is straightforward: the home bat boy sports the home team’s uniform for all home games, and the visiting bat boy wears the home team’s road uniform throughout the season.
However, Major League Baseball introduces a unique twist. The visiting bat boy, despite being on the home team’s payroll, wears the uniform of the visiting team. This means the visiting bat boy changes uniforms with each new team that arrives in town.
The Visiting Team’s Uniform Arsenal
So, how does the visiting team ensure the bat boy has a properly fitting uniform? The answer lies in a dedicated bat boy equipment bag.
“When a team goes on the road, they’ll pack a bat boy equipment bag to take along, which holds uniforms for each of the teams they’ll be visiting on that road trip,” explains one MLB bat boy. This bag contains a range of sizes to accommodate bat boys of varying builds.
Another bat boy adds, “Seriously, they’ve got every conceivable size you can imagine… Once they arrive, the visiting team’s equipment manager gives you the uniform. Most of them can just look at you and know what size you are.”
Wearing a different uniform every few days might seem odd, but many bat boys embrace the variety. As one former bat boy notes, “No, it’s kinda neat. I liked the variety. And the equipment guy usually lets you keep the cap, so I ended up with quite a few 5950s that way. You end up with a lot of undershirts, too, since they usually let you keep those.”
Decoding Bat Boy Jersey Backs: A World of Variety
The back of a bat boy’s jersey reveals an intriguing diversity in styles. Some jerseys are completely blank, while others feature a “BAT BOY” or “BATBOY” nameplate.
Others use “BB” in place of a number, unassigned roster numbers, or even a calendar-based system where the number corresponds to the year (e.g., No. 02 in 2002, No. 05 in 2005). The New York Mets, for example, have employed this annual system for decades.
The use of uni numbers is preferred by some as one bat boy mentioned it looks “official-like” when the uniform number is on the front of the jersey, below the chest insignia.
Home bat boys with uni numbers often have a nameplate – usually their first name – on the back of their jersey. This contrasts with visiting bat boys, who never have nameplates because the visiting team doesn’t know who will be wearing the jersey.
Helmets, Pants, and Stirrups: Uniform Quirks and Preferences
Bat boys are required to wear helmets for safety. While essential, these helmets are often a source of discomfort. As one bat boy describes, “It’s this big, heavy thing and it’s annoying. Nobody else has to wear it for the entire game like we do. And they never seem to fit right.”
Pants styles also vary. Some bat boys prefer the traditional “hiked up high” look, while others opt for the more relaxed “pajama style.”
Beyond the Field: The Bat Boy’s Unseen Responsibilities
The life of a bat boy extends far beyond retrieving bats and balls. They are also responsible for a variety of tasks behind the scenes, including:
- Arranging equipment in the lockers, often deciphering nicknames to identify players’ belongings.
- Polishing players’ shoes, a process that involves removing mud and applying polish (either colored or clear, depending on the team).
- Maintaining helmets and shinguards, sometimes even deliberately scuffing up new helmets to give them a broken-in look, according to player preference.
Conclusion: More Than Just Uniforms
While the question of do bat boys travel with the team leads us to the fascinating world of uniform logistics, it’s important to remember that these individuals are more than just uniformed figures. They play a vital role in the baseball experience, both on and off the field. From managing equipment to maintaining player preferences, their contributions often go unnoticed but are deeply appreciated by players and staff alike.
