hat YOU Can
Do to Stop Cli-
mate Change
from MI-
COEJL Michi-
gan Coalition on
the Environment &
Jewish Life
Michael Higer, an MSU
freshman, on the field this
season as a Detroit Tigers
ball boy
Summer memories of a lifetime
for Detroit Tigers ball boy.
Michael Higer
Teen2Teen Staff Writer
S
omeday, Dad, I want to be on
the field with the rest of the
Tigers." A childhood dream,
but like my Dad always told me,
"Michael, you can do anything you put
your mind to."
Many years later, after my baseball
dreams had passed, my dad came to
me with an idea that just seemed silly.
He told me that if I sent an email to
one of the people who worked in the
Tigers clubhouse, I could become a
Tigers ball boy. I thought my dad was
just trying to get my hopes up, but I
figured why not give it a try?
Around a week later, when I got an
email back, I was stunned; the last
thing I was expecting was a response.
When I read it, I was even more in
shock, they already had their staff set
for that season, but if I contacted him
next year, the team would have a spot
for me.
Month after month passed, and all I
could think about was the next base-
ball season. Finally, March arrived
and there I was, setting up the Tigers
locker room. It was a tough day, full of
moving and lifting, but I loved every
second of it. That day, they also had a
schedule posted to sign up for games
we could work. This was what I had
wanted, to be a ball boy for the Tigers.
The day of my first game with the
Tigers, my body shook with anxiety.
When I walked into the locker room,
I could hear my heart beating furi-
ously. There they were, the players I
had cheered on as a fan, the team I
had grown to love. Yet, I couldn't stand
and admire them, it was time to get to
work.
After a couple of hours cleaning hel-
mets and catcher's equipment, mak-
ing Gatorade and snagging foul balls
during batting practice, it was time to
put on the Tigers uniform I had always
dreamed of wearing someday. Even
though my name wasn't stitched on
the back, I was filled with pride.
Finally it was time to walk out to my
spot in right field, where I would sit
and collect foul balls to give to eager
children. The May 1, 2010, game was
amazing, and when then-Tiger Johnny
Damon hit a walk-off home run that
bounced back into the stadium right
to me, I gave the ball to a little kid.
After the game, we needed to do the
players' laundry and clean their shoes.
A typical workday is about nine hours.
We do have contact with the play-
ers, but we have to be professional.
Sometimes they ask us for favors or
we might ask if they need help with
anything. But once, I went into my
boss' office to ask for a pair of socks.
Living His Dream on page 38
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