Responsibilities of a Bat Boy

Bat boys have been a part of professional baseball since the early days of the game, performing a variety of functions for players on baseball teams. In modern times, all Major League Baseball teams use the services of bat boys. Although bat boys are not highly paid, the position is considered prestigious.

  1. The Bat

    • As the title suggests, the primary duty of a bat boy is to retrieve the bat after a player hits the ball or otherwise takes a base. If a player at bat hits the ball, he'll typically drop the bat and run to first base. If there's a player at third base who will then attempt to run to home plate, it's important that the discarded bat not interfere with game play, so as soon as the player drops the bat, the bat boy must retrieve the bat as soon as possible. As of 2002, the minimum age for an MLB bat boy is 14.

    Other Responsbilities

    • In addition to retrieving bats, the bat boy is also expected to perform a variety of other duties, although these can vary from team to team. These can include cleaning players' cleats, washing batting helmets and "mudding" the baseballs prior to each game, a process that involves rubbing a special mud on game balls to remove their shine and ensure they won't be slippery. Bat boys may also be asked to perform other tasks that have nothing to do with the baseball games, such as washing players' cars, cleaning their uniforms or even running errands.

    Time Commitment

    • Being a bat boy for a Major League Baseball team requires a time commitment, as bat boys are expected to arrive at the field at least two to three hours before the game. Bat boys are also expected to stay until well after the game is finished and they have completed all the tasks they've been assigned. After the game, bat boys are typically expected to pack up all the bats, helmets and other equipment for the players.

    Eddie Bennett

    • Perhaps the most famous bat boy was Eddie Bennett. Bennett, whose responsibilities also included serving as a team's good-luck charm. Bennett, who suffered from a spinal injury caused by a childhood accident, was attending a 1919 Yankees game when a player from the visiting Chicago White Sox insisted he be hired as the team's bat boy, as a "hunchback" was considered to be lucky. The following year, Bennett was hired as bat boy by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Bennett didn't accompany the team to Cleveland for the 1920 World Series, and superstitious fans believed the Dodgers' four straight losses in the series were due to Bennett's absence. Bennett remained the Dodgers' bat boy for 12 more years.