Getting the dugout ready for a Cleveland Indians home game is hard work for a group of batboys. A day at Progressive Field can last long as 10 hours, starting as early as 2 p.m. for a 7 p.m. start. Most Major League Baseball games last approximately 3 hours, and following the last out the crew will still have about 2 hours of work ahead of them, leaving around midnight. But it's a love of the game and the thrill of being close to the action that makes the effort worthwhile.

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The batboys who work the Indians dugout are separate from the crew who work the visitor dugout. The two groups rarely cross paths even though both groups are Cleveland-area kids. The average age of the batboys is around 18. On the day I visited, the batboys were as young as 16 and as old as 21.

After dressing in their own locker room, the batboys begin hauling supplies toward the dugout. There are towels, water and energy drink coolers, equipment and other supplies that need to be carted toward the field down winding ramps. Trays of snack need to be loaded, coffee has to be brewed and a suitcase loaded with batting gear needs to be emptied into proper cubbies in the dugout.

After the dugout gear is in position, the batboys take to the outfield to shag balls during batting practice.

Shortly before the start of the game, one of the four batboys — usually the junior member — takes his position down the left field line. Another batboy will get 6 dozen game balls from the umpire's room behind home plate and take his seat just outside the dugout on a small stool. His job is to supply the home plate umpire with game baseballs as needed. A batboy sits next to him. also just outside the dugout, ready to collect bats tossed after a hit. The fourth batboy is at the ready in the dugout area, available to run errands to and from the locker room if asked.

The day wraps up with washing the players' uniforms, scrubbing cleats and assisting the Equipment Managers.