For the past six years, North Royalton High School graduate James Palko has had a great summer job. During the school year, James attends classes at Cleveland State. This fall, any baseball fan in Northeast Ohio would have traded jobs with James.
Since 2011, James has been the batboy for the Cleveland Indians.
Imagine what it was like to be on the field for Game Seven of the World Series or be around the players, coaches, reporters and front office personnel during the Tribe’s playoff run. “Just to say you were on the field for Game Seven of a World Series, win or lose is pretty cool,” said James.
I asked James how he got his job. “My uncle works in the Indians clubhouse. He let me know that a batboy position was available. I applied for the job and eventually I got it.” James’ dad was also an Indians batboy from 1982-88. “It was cool to look up in the stands during the World Series and see where my dad was and wave at him.”
James was 16 when he got the Indians job. At that time he was a sophomore at North Royalton High School. The Indians’ job helped him decide where he should attend college. “I chose to go to Cleveland State because I didn’t want to lose the Indians job.” James is 23 years old and a senior at CSU majoring in business. He’s just a year younger than Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor.
James said he was very fortunate to have understanding teachers at North Royalton High School and at Cleveland State to allow him to miss a class if the Indians played an afternoon game during the school year. “I was a good student at North Royalton. I had a 3.8 GPA there and I’ve made the Dean’s List every semester at CSU. If I miss a class, I make it up the next day. I have a system down.”
“I played T-ball and travel baseball in North Royalton, but when the Indians job came I stopped playing. I was always an Indians fan so when the job came, it was a ‘no-brainer,’ said James. While he was at North Royalton High School,” Palko played soccer all four years.
So, what exactly does a batboy for the Cleveland Indians do? The job is more involved than you might think.
“On game night, I get to the ballpark five hours before game time,” said James. There’s a lot of set-up work to do, like setting up the dugout. I’m on the field for batting practice. Then there’s the game. And I’m usually there for a couple of hours after the game to make sure that the uniforms are cleaned and everything.”
“We spend a lot of time running errands for the players. If they need a new pair of cleats or a new bat, we go and get it. Getting to know the players is important because they have to be comfortable working with us and trust us,” said James. “We work both with them and for them to help them throughout their day.”
2016 is a year that James Palko will never forget. “Even though the team suffered a bunch of injuries, the attitude stayed the same in the locker room. These guys were motivated and determined. Even though they suffered plenty of hardships, they were so focused.”
When the playoffs came, James says it felt like the Indians were playing just another game. “Every game they were so focused. It was just like coming to work, but your work was the World Series. The difference was seeing Cal Ripken Junior, Joe Torre and Hall of Famers on the field. Plus, the crowd was so loud. They were cheering every strike.”
Has it been worth it? “I have definitely networked there. I made some good connections. I’m happy I stayed at CSU and kept working because I’ve met some great people.” James said if at all possible, he’d like to make baseball his career. “I’m trying to figure that out. I still have three semesters left. If I could stick around in the front office, I’d love to do that.”
What about 2017 season? “The guys in the clubhouse like familiar faces so they don’t have to train a new person. I’ve had the job since I’ve been local to the team. As long as I’m going to school at Cleveland State, I hope to be working with the team. But, when I graduate, my time would be up for me as a batboy and I would look to move on with my career.”
What a dream job James Palko has. Following his father’s footsteps and working with the Tribe.
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer