When I hopped on board the Berkshire Baseball Club team as a professional writing intern, my experience with baseball was that of a former player and fanatic of the game. Attending four major league games this summer contributed to my excitement of baseball for the simple joy of the game, the stadium atmosphere and the overpriced hotdogs and crackerjacks. Never did I think to myself, while cheering on the Orioles despite staggering odds, what made all of this happen? Who brought today's game to life before my eyes? What work was required to put an exciting game of baseball to play?
     It wasn't until a trip with Dan (who as president of the organization supervises my work) that I witnessed a behind the scenes look at the field of five o'clock's game five hours before it was ready to play ball. Now, as a student whose skills are repeatedly challenged in the field of journalism, where the pen or keyboard is often my tool of craft, it's quite a change of pace when you're assignment is to "grab a shovel and head to the mound."  
     And that is exactly what we did, on that of a gorgeous autumn day. The fields were in need of routine maintenance, particularly turf mound replacement. We got to digging the old turf pallets out and replacing them with brand new mounds, which would be again covered with dirt and leveled. Water was sprinkled to seal the edges, just as water is needed to wet the infield to keep from over drying and holding down the dust. These mounds were later covered by tarp, in order to prevent crab grass from sprouting.
     Of course, there is also the raking of the infield, which is a critical procedure prior to every game. This is crucial, for custom maintenance is a key to preventing injury by keeping the field a safe environment to play on. Not only are problems likely to occur, but players who are worried about their safety are less likely to be focused on the game.
     Much more goes into field maintenance than painting lines and moving the grass. Even more than what we accomplished in our day. Fortunately, there are people dedicated to these requirements, such as Doug Weaver, the Daniel Boone groundskeeper. Sporting a  bucket hat and zooming around on a tractor, he is always more than thrilled to assist the club with anything needed to prepare for the next game day. In fact, Doug will go as far as to suggest things even beyond necessary, simply for his determination to faithfully upkeep the stunning baseball fields of Daniel Boone.
     And to think an internship would be restricted to a seat in an office. There is more work required from me than publishing these articles you read, and I'm lucky to have the opportunity to experience these duties; responsibilities which I was formerly unaware of. Besides, as I gazed upon the immaculate Daniel Boone Middle School and considered the students all disgruntled in their classrooms, I couldn't appreciate my time on the ball fields more than during that radiant autumn afternoon in September.