MIDLAND, TX (KWES) - When you walk into a baseball stadium and see the field perfectly set and ready to be played on, it gets you excited and sets the stage for the big game. Behind all that perfection and precise foul lines, is a team of groundskeepers who work hard to create great experiences for the players and the fans.
"We're trying to have our field just like the big leagues for these guys when they get called up so it's nothing different for them. So it's the same exact playing surface and everything for them," said groundskeeper Eric Peckham.
Peckham has had a love for baseball since he's been young and basically grew up on the diamond.
"I knew I wasn't going to make it has a ball player so the next thing to stay in the game was why not take care of a field they get to play on. I guess that's where it went from there after high school," said Peckham.
In the Tall City there are some parts in getting the field ready for every home game that are more difficult than others.
"Here in Midland I would say it's probably keeping moisture in our dirt and that's the biggest thing out here. Just making sure the moisture is right for good ball roll and keeping it consistent with the players. As much consistency that we can have for them and the field, the better they will play." said Peckham.
For Peckham, the most rewarding part of his job is seeing the fans reactions and the players playing on a top-notch field.
"Putting the grass and nice green field out there for the guys to play on is just something that the fans come in and is like wow this is a really nice field," said Peckham.
And what keeps this job fun and exciting, is his love for baseball.
"I like being outside and watching baseball. I'm a big baseball fan and I know some people are like, but you watch it all the time. I'm tell them to me it never gets old. It's baseball. Enjoy it," said Peckham.
The RockHounds grounds crew is getting ready for the All-Star Game at Security Bank Ballpark on June 26.
