While many of the fans descending upon the Williamsport area for the 2018 Little League Baseball World Series were first-time visitors, Mother Nature had other ideas. Not satisfied with the precipitation deluge she had previously sent our way, the days leading up to, and including, the early days of the youthful tournament featured an unwelcomed return of our summertime wetness.

The resolve of Little League Baseball’s grounds crew was put to the test early and often as, what is believed to be some sort of a record, saw over 20 tarp pulls executed to cover and recover the Lamade and Volunteer Stadium playing surfaces during the first four days of the Series.

As he has done for the past 27 years, Williamsport’s Kirk Felix was there helping out. A professional educator, including the past 17 years as a principal in the Williamsport Area School District, currently at Jackson Primary School, Felix has been spending his summers involved with Little League Baseball.

“I started with Little League as a Summer Camp Counselor at the Green Acres Camp in Hillsgrove in 1991,” Felix revealed while taking a between-game break at this year’s World Series. “Little League used to hold a six-week camp session in Hillsgrove each summer. Each year after the camp sessions would end, we would come in and help out at the World Series. After working the camp for a few years, I became a part of the maintenance staff and joined the grounds crew from there.

“Little League also conducts a six-week Summer Camp at the World Series site each year. I worked on the grounds crew during the camp, and that involved taking care of the seven fields on the Little League complex. A lot of people think Lamade and Volunteer Stadiums are only used during the World Series. That’s far from true as each summer there are about 70 games played at Lamade Stadium.

“Working on the grounds crew is like working with a fraternity of guys. Before the tournament went to 16 teams and it was just one field we had some growing to do. ABC was getting involved covering the games, and they wanted the field in top shape. Wilber Wilson was in charge of the grounds crew at that time, and he reached out to KAFMO (Keystone Athletic Field Management Organization), and they came and really helped get these fields ready for play on a national stage. There is no game without proper playing surfaces, and it’s just been fun over the years being involved.”

For the grounds crew, a typical day at the Series starts the night before with the weather forecast.

“If there is rain in the forecast, we will arrive at 6:00 a.m., get some breakfast and be on the field by 7:00 a.m.,” Felix explained. “Most of the time our day begins at 8:00 a.m. to do what needs to be done. Our irrigation systems are not perfect, and occasionally there will be a water problem somewhere on the field.

“During the Series, we’ll have teams of guys working at different times. One group of about 10 guys will typically get here on the Monday before the first games of the Series that begins on Thursday. Rob Guthrie, the head groundskeeper, will have most things ready, and he provides the leadership for what remains to be done. By the time the Series starts, our grounds crew will be between 20-25 guys, and some come from all over the country. This year, our numbers included some from Dallas, Texas, and California as well as members of the Penn State Turf Management program.

“The jobs for ground crew members are somewhat specialized. Everyone has their assignments. Some work on the pitcher’s mound, some on the batter’s box area, others on the infield, and we have two guys who cut the grass. As the Series progresses some guys come and go, and one of the fun things for me is to fill in where needed. I’ve been around a long time and have an idea as to what needs to be done.

“Back when we had just one field, we had four games in a day that required quick turnarounds. Now that we have two fields, we have a lot more time to get the field ready. On the championship Saturday weekend all the games are at Lamade Stadium, and we have to have a fast turn-around. Often we are asked to do various jobs so the field can be readied as fast as possible.”

Although the playing field dimensions are the same at both stadiums, Felix noted that are differences to be taken into account.

“The foul area and area behind the plate at Volunteer Stadium is much larger than at Lamade. That can be a game-changer. Because Volunteer was built later with newer technology, it is a little better for water drainage. While the centerfield batter’s eye areas at both stadiums provide a green foliage background, Lamade Stadium can be more difficult for the catchers to see throws coming from the outfield due to all the people and different colors emanating from the hills beyond the fences. Because of the stadium structures, there is a lot more air circulating at Volunteer, but Little League tries to make sure the International teams get to play at Lamade before the championship game.”

While memories are many, one vividly stands out in Felix’s mind.

“One of my most distinct memories came years ago when we had so much rain that I was standing in left field at Lamade Stadium with the water above my knees. Brent Musburger was calling the games for ABC, and I just happened to be the one he asked how long it would take until we could play. I just said ‘one hour.’ We got anybody we could find to help us get the water off the field and used towels, buckets and any means we had to soak up the water. We worked frantically, and as the one-hour time approached I noticed we had not re-painted the left field foul line. I grabbed some field paint and marked down the line and was running off the field at the same time as the Little League teams we taking the field to resume the game.”

With his baseball field expertise, Felix was asked if he applies his skills to his own lawn at home.

“I’m afraid to answer that question because no — my wife mows the grass at home. Kimberly actually enjoys mowing the grass, and she takes care of it. So if you drive by our yard and it looks good, the credit goes to my wife!”