He has a degree in physical therapy from Tennessee Tech University. He was named Co-Outstanding Male Athlete (alongside fellow Ports player A.J. Kirby-Jones) in 2010 for his performance with the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. His batting average throughout college of .395 earned top honors in Tennessee Tech history.

He turned down a chance to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals in order to finish his degree, a choice Oberacker said was complicated, but right.

“I have no regrets, none at all. I’m glad I made that decision,” Oberacker said in an interview.

Following his graduation, Oberacker signed with the Oakland A’s in 2011. He first played for the short-season Vermont Lake Monsters, averaging .293 over 47 games and 157 at bats, earning 12 RBIs and stealing 13 bases.

Earlier this year, he played for the single-A Burlington Bees, and averaged .317 in his 16 games and 63 at bats with them. With the Bees, Oberacker hit two home runs, knocked in seven RBIs, and stole five bases.

And on May 1, Oberacker was promoted to the Stockton Ports, rejoining some teammates from the Lake Monsters and the Bees. He also was reunited with Kirby-Jones, something both players are glad happened.

“It’s great to be playing with [Kirby-Jones] again, and I’m just excited to be out here playing,” Oberacker said.

Kirby-Jones echoed the sentiment in a separate interview, adding that “…it’s always good to play with someone you know. It keeps it fun, and it’s nice to have a little camaraderie from before you got into pro-ball with somebody.”

Oberacker’s put in a pretty good showing with the Ports thus far, averaging .225 in 11 games and 40 at bats, with one home run, two RBIs, and three stolen bases under his belt as of May 16.

In fact, Oberacker was one of just two batters to score runs during the brutal May 10 game against the Modesto Nuts, which the Ports lost 13-3 – just another loss in a streak totaling 16 losses as of May 16.

Despite having been present for almost the entire streak, Oberacker is unshaken, saying that he approaches every game the same way – by going out and playing hard. Still, he acknowledges the hardship such a streak puts on a team.

“It’s been difficult for everyone here,” he said. “I’ve been here for pretty much the whole thing. It’s a struggle, it happens in baseball sometimes, and I’m confident we’re going to turn it around.”

Oberacker slams a double against Modesto on May 11. Photo courtesy of Sean Kahler.

No matter how the team does in terms of wins and losses, Oberacker is determined to make the most out of the season and improve himself.

“I know what type of player I am. I’m trying to develop my skill set to best suit myself to make it into the big leagues.”

And further down the line, when he’s done with baseball, whenever that may be? Oberacker may consider following up on that Tennessee Tech physical therapy degree, though that will have to remain in the future.

“Right now, I’m focused on baseball 100 percent, and I’m going to stay focused on that as long as I can.”

Stockton Ports: So why did you tweet the story?

Rashun Dixon: I thought it was a pretty interesting story. I saw something about it last year, and we actually had a conversation about that in the dugout last year. I just thought it was a good story.

SP: What’s your opinion on the story?

RD: I mean, a lot of inner city kids choose basketball over baseball and football over baseball, so I think that’s one part of it. I think there should be more interaction with baseball in inner cities, and in the black community. We need to try to teach the game to more young kids.

SP: What do you think it’s going to take to change these statistics?

RD: I’d say more camps – more camps in inner cities, to get the kids more involved. Teaching the kids the game instead of making them learn it themselves. Just interacting with the kids, and really explaining baseball to them and having them play it.

Photo Credit Sean Kahler

SP: Do you feel like you have a role in this at all? If so what do you think that role is?

RD: Definitely, definitely. As a baseball player, I would say that I have to get out in the community, and reach out to kids, and try to get them to play the game. I’d also want to tell them that you can play all 3 sports, you don’t just have to pick one when you’re young.

Follow Rashun on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sir_Peanut

Read the full article Rashun tweeted: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/07/17/3225936/face-of-major-league-baseball.html

The dictionary definition certainly tells us what a closer is, but isn’t there more to the position than that?

Closers are often considered the biggest characters in baseball, with exaggerated, larger than life personalities. The San Francisco Giants have Brian Wilson, whose over-the-top personality and thick, black beard has attracted many fans. The New York Yankees have Mariano Rivera – the MLB’s leader in saves and games finished – who has been described as having the cool efficiency of an assassin.

But what makes a closer tick? How do they develop these personalities? What makes a closer more than the dictionary definition?

Perhaps Zack Thornton, closer for the Stockton Ports, could help us answer these questions.

Thornton joined the Ports after playing for the Burlington Bees and Midland Rock Hounds last season. He has played in six games this season as of April 23, pitching seven innings and achieving 11 strike outs and two saves.

We recently sat down with Zack in an attempt to understand the closer mentality.

Thornton pitching for the Ports Opening Weekend 2012. Photo Credit Sean Kahler.

Stockton Ports: You just recently moved to the Ports. How is the California League? How are you adjusting?

Zack Thornton: It’s different. It’s known that it’s a hitter’s league, so you just have to keep throwing quality strikes down the zone, get people to roll over, and hit it out on the ground and leave it up in the air.

PORTS: How does the offensive environment differ from Burlington and Texas?

THORNTON: It’s different, and you try not to think about it. Like I said, you’re just trying to make quality pitches to get outs and keep the ball on the ground, especially for me – I’m a sinker baller, trying to keep the ball at the bottom of the zone to induce a ground ball. It’s known that this league is a hitter’s league, and you just have to deal with it.

PORTS: My next question actually has to do with that. You keep saying that this is a hitter’s league. Is there anything else you have to do to prepare for or deal with that?

THORNTON: No. I think it’s just about getting ahead of hitters, keeping the ball down, and mixing speeds. Whether you’re in the big leagues or rookie ball, it’s all the same thing. You just have to execute pitches and hit guys out.

PORTS: Were you trained to be a closer? How did you become a closer?

THORNTON: It wasn’t my choice, it came from up top, but in college I was a starter and last year I was actually a long guy/short inning guy. The mentality is a little different, there’s probably a little more adrenaline, but you just have to make pitches – just like you were a starter.

PORTS: Have you had any difficulty adjusting to it?

THORNTON: In the beginning, the first couple times, my adrenaline was a little too high and I had to take it down a notch. I’m working on it, slowly getting to where that median is so I can focus on just executing pitches.

PORTS: Is there any major league closer that you would compare yourself to, like Brian Wilson or Mariano Rivera?

THORNTON: I would say…Well, you don’t see a lot of guys that throw like I do – a low, three-quarter slinger that’s a sinker baller. I’ve also noticed that I’m one of the few that pitch out of a windup as a closer. It’s where I feel most comfortable. For the most part I can’t really say that I throw like any big league closer.

PORTS: So you’re not trying to pattern yourself after anyone else.

THORNTON: Just trying to make my own name for myself.

PORTS: Closers have kind of developed a reputation as larger-than-life characters. Are you working on any specific ‘style’ for yourself?

THORNTON: No. the guys around the clubhouse call me Bozo the clown because I have big feet and an open, goofy personality. Besides that, no, I’m just trying to be myself out there, just be loose. That’s the kind of guy I am. I’m loose and like to have fun.

PORTS: What’s your entrance music and why?

THORNTON: I chose ‘Here comes the Boom’ by Nelly. It’s a song that I heard from Friday Night Lights, and it just gets me juiced – especially for the end of the game. It’s different from what closers usually use, it’s not hard rock, but I wanted to incorporate myself with the music. I think it feels perfect.

PORTS: Pitchers are generally on rotation and they can rest between games. As a closer, you can potentially be called in for every single game. How do you deal with that?

THORNTON: You have to keep yourself and your body maintained, get your sleep, do your stuff in the weight room and keeping your body ready. Like you said, you can throw every day, but there are also times where you don’t throw for three or four days because you’re behind. You just have to keep plugging away in practice. If you don’t throw every day, just go light. Just be ready to throw by the ninth inning.

PORTS: Is there anything in particular the pitching staff is working with you on?

Photo Credit Sean Kahler.

THORNTON: They just tell me to go out and do what I do. There are certain keys I’ve been working on in the past that I have to keep noticing and make sure I’m doing them correctly, but for the most part is just going out there, getting saves, and getting people out.

PORTS: What’s your best pitch?

THORNTON: I’d have to say my fastball. It’s a heavy sinker. Some days when it’s not hot, I’ll go to my slider, which is my secondary…but for the most part, I attack with my fastball. If they’re on that, I’ll go to my slider, but my fastball is my best pitch.

PORTS: Is there anything in particular that you think about when you pitch? What do you take into consideration? What goes through your mind?

THORNTON: Truthfully, when I’m out there, I don’t think about anything. I just go out there and pitch. Distractions…I discard them. There’s just me and the mound and the glove in front of me.  Pretend there’s no surroundings out there, just me and the glove, pounding strike one and getting after it. There’s really nothing else that I focus on.

A.J. Cole pitching for Stockton 4/13. Photo Courtesy of Sean Kahler.

A.J. Cole

You grew up in Florida, and played on the East Coast, how do you like California so far? What’s the biggest difference being out here?

It’s a lot different, I mean I’ve been out here before, but it’s a whole different atmosphere playing baseball, and I’m getting used to it – it’s taking a little bit, but it’s not bad so far. The way the ball flies, that’s probably the biggest difference. And the weather, it’s a lot cooler over here – its nice weather.

How have you had to adjust as a pitcher, and how different is the offensive environment in the California League compared to the South Atlantic League?

Well since I’m still new out here, I still have to adjust and figure out the best way for me to pitch. I know the ball’s gonna fly out here no matter what, so I’ve got to find little adjustments to try to keep the ball down more and make them hit more ground balls and fly balls.

How are your relationships with the pitching staff developing? What have they been working with you on so far this season?

So far, I’ve been getting better with the pitching staff – getting in there, getting to know them a lot better, and we’ve been working pretty good so far. We’ve just been working on little things – not major changes, just little tweaks. Both of our goals are to get through the season, stay healthy and just perform well.

Have they talked about where they see you going, or where do you see yourself in the future? You were the #4 prospect for the Nationals, how do you think being a prospect for Oakland will change your career?

Hopefully I see myself in the big leagues sometime soon; I’m trying to work hard for it. And they’re trying to help me, any way they can to get me there, because that’s their goal for me. But, you never know where you’re going until the time comes. And a lot of times, I don’t listen to prospect numbers or anything like that, because personally I think they’re just numbers. You still have to prove to yourself and anyone else what your abilities are, and mostly by proving to yourself what you’re capable of doing. So I’m just going out there and doing what I know I can do, getting through the season.

Miles Head

Miles Head knocks out a HR on Opening Night 2012. Photo Courtesy of Sean Kahler.

You grew up in Georgia, and played on the East Coast, how do you like California so far? What’s the biggest difference being out here?

The weather out here’s great, it’s a little different being far away from home, and away from my friends and family. But it’s a pretty cool experience to be out here for the summer. I hadn’t been here before, and I’d say the biggest difference is there not many Chick-fil-A’s out here and no sweet tea, so it’s kinda weird for me.

What would you say are the biggest differences between the South Atlantic League or Carolina League and the California League? Have you had to adjust as a hitter?

In the Cal League, the ball flies a lot better out here, from what I’ve seen and where we’ve played. But other than that, there’s not really a big difference. And no, I’ve just been trying to stick with my approach that I’ve been working on for the past 3 or 4 years since I’ve been in pro ball, just trying to stick with that.

You’ve been doing incredibly well here so far, what do you attribute that to?

I would say just my approach, my mental approach at the plate, going there not trying to do too much, and staying within myself.

You were drafted by Boston as a third baseman and they transitioned you to first, and now you’re in between, how’s that process working out?

I like it; I mean its fun being able to play two different positions. It’s a little different, I’m a little rusty at third because I haven’t played there in a couple years, but I feel like I’m getting the hang of it.

Have the coaches talked to you at all about where you’re going to end up? And which position do you actually prefer?

They haven’t said anything to me; I’m just going out and playing every day where ever they put me. Just keep hitting – that’s what I’m gonna do. And I would say first right now, because I’m used to it, but I like them both the same.

How are your relationships developing with the coaching staff and those in the A’s organization developing? How do you think you’ll develop as an Athletics prospect?

I love the coaching staff, we get along great. They’ve taught me a lot of stuff since I’ve been here. As a team, we have really good camaraderie and everyone gets along really well. And I hope good, just gonna keep working at it and hopefully I’ll be in the big leagues in a couple years.

Finally, any goals or expectations for the season?

I would say goals – just stay consistent with myself, that’s the biggest thing. Not try to go on any long hitting streaks or any bad fielding streaks – just trying to stay consistent.

Editorial Note 4/25: Currently, Miles has yet to allow an error in the field and is on a 19 game hitting streak – that’s the type of consistency we like to see!

Hassebrock on the ground, photo credit Sean Kahler

We sat down with the Ports starting pitcher Blake Hassebrock, who was on the mound when the swarm came in, and asked him to recount the event. “I turned around and saw my second baseman lying on the ground, and I stepped off the rubber to see what was going on – I thought he was hurt, maybe,” said Hassebrock. “And then our shortstop hit the dirt, and there was a base runner on second base, and I think he thought we were trying to pick him off, because he dove back to the bag on his face and he didn’t know what was going on. And this was before I even saw one bee. Then the umpire hit the dirt, my outfielders were running around, and I started walking to the dugout, and before I knew it everyone on the field was on the ground and I was just walking to the dugout. Then the whole dugout started screaming at me, “Hass get on the ground!!” like there was a bomb about to go off, so I got on the ground. And then I heard the bees – just a huge swarm of them right over the infield. It was wild; I’d never seen anything like it. I was laughing my face off, lying down on the ground. It was hilarious seeing all the guys, in the middle of a baseball game.”

Ports General Manager Luke Reiff stepped out of the Front Office just as all of this was taking place. “I walked out the back door of the office and it was literally one of the strangest things I’d ever seen at a ballpark,” accounts Reiff. “I walked out in the middle of it and saw that the players were on the ground and immediately started thinking of scenarios that could be happening, but I couldn’t match up players lying on the ground with anything from our emergency manual. Then I walked down the concourse and saw the bees, and I was actually close enough to watch the swarm fly right over the press box and colonize on this tree outside the gates.”

The swarm grouped together on a tree just outside the ballpark.

And colonize was exactly what they did – all 20,000 bees swarmed a small tree in the parking lot that was quickly roped off to protect fans from getting too close as they left the game. Amazingly, no one was hurt as the bees made their way on through the ballpark. And once they had cleared, play continued just as if it had all been a strange dream, with the Ports going on to defeat the Nuts in the bottom of the 9th thanks to a walk off homerun from Ryan Pineda. Hassebrock’s closing remark on the event was that it was the craziest thing he’d ever seen on a baseball field, and it’s safe to say that it was something that he and all of the players, staff, and fans in attendance Sunday afternoon are never going to forget.

Stockton Ports: Entering your 7th season at the Ports play-by-play announcer, you’ve seen a lot of Banner Island baseball. What has the experience been like over the years?

Zack Bayrouty: It’s been fun, and it’s been a privilege. There aren’t many broadcasters who’ve been as lucky as I have been…to come into a new ballpark, see it grow, and get to know some extraordinary people in the process. The A’s, more often than not, have had very competitive teams come through here, so we’ve all been lucky in that regard. But the people in Stockton have been so great to me, and I think that stands out above all else.

SP: You’ve also seen a lot of players come through Stockton, who were some of your favorites to watch and why?

ZB: One of the players I’m about to mention is actually here on the roster right now…Sean Doolittle. In 2008, we had such a great team here that went on to win the championship, and Sean was a big part of that, hitting in the middle of the order with Chris Carter. It seemed like he could do it all at the plate…power, average, everything. It seemed like there was nothing stopping him from being the A’s first baseman in a couple years, and then he had to deal with some major injuries. Now he’s back as a pitcher and has phenomenal stuff, and I have no doubt he’ll be in the big leagues. Of course there was Chris Carter as well on that ’08 team…he set the Ports franchise home run record with 39 bombs. Being able to watch him take batting practice on a daily basis was pretty special.

As far as pitchers go, the combination of Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill on that 2008 team was awesome. There was a game in 2008 in Rancho Cucamonga where Cahill struck out the first eight batters he faced in the game. I think I was laughing by the seventh one just because it was unfair.

SP: If you had to pick your top 3 favorite moments while you’ve been with the Ports, what would they be and why?

ZB: First and foremost, watching the 2008 team win the championship in Lancaster. Championships don’t come along too often, and to be part of that group and to be able to participate in the celebration in the clubhouse afterwards was probably my most special moment in baseball to this point.

Second, the 2008 North Division Championship Series between the Ports and San Jose Giants. In 2008, Stockton and San Jose played arguably the most entertaining division series the Cal-League has ever seen. Two nights in a row, once at San Jose and once in Stockton, the Ports came from behind and erased three-run deficits in the ninth inning to win Games 2 and 3. The Giants squeezed out a 2-1 win in Game 4 of that series, and the Ports went back to San Jose and dominated Game 5 from the start, eventually going on to win the title.

Third would have to be the 17 game winning streak the 2011 team went on. I’m not sure I’ll ever see another winning streak like that again. There’s so much that can go wrong in any given game that can lead to a loss, and for 17 straight games that team just refused to lose. You sensed something special starting to develop with that group, and they went on to beat San Jose in the North Division Championship Series and play in the Cal-League Championship Series.

SP: What’s it like going on the road with the team? Are there any cities you always look forward to visiting?

ZB: It’s always fun to go on the road and experience different cities. Baseball is all about routine, but I think on the road it’s even more so. Everyone has their schedule dictated by the bus times, so you know that if you want to go to the gym, be on the 10 a.m. bus…first bus to the ballpark is 3 p.m…second bus is 4 p.m…and so on. You get used to the routine, and in my case, I think by this point after seven years, I’m somewhat addicted to it. After a while, you know where the best spots are to eat and walk around, you know which hotels are the best, which are the worst.

I always love visiting Lake Elsinore and Rancho Cucamonga. Lake Elsinore because the ballpark is tremendous and the press box (by California League standards) is luxurious! Also, there’s a cool restaurant in the hotel/casino where we stay, so meals are easy. They also offer no-limit hold ‘em at the hotel, which I may or may not partake in!

Rancho Cucamonga has the best surroundings both at the ballpark and at the hotel. The ballpark is in the shadow of the San Gabriel Mountains, and it makes for a picturesque setting. The hotel is in the middle of restaurants and shopping plazas, so there are always things to do.

But my mantra is, no matter where we are, as long as there’s a good coffee place and reliable WiFi, I don’t complain.

SP:What is something fans would be surprised to learn about your job?

Bayrouty broadcasting from Banner Island Ballpark in 2011.

ZB: I am still literally learning on the job. You can have all the training in the world coming into a job like this, but you really prepare a lifetime to call a baseball game. You MUST be humble and be open to learning new elements of the game and the craft every day, even if that involves making mistakes and becoming better from them.

SP: What’s the best part of being the Ports Broadcaster?

ZB: Being able to do something I love every day for six months. I couldn’t be more passionate about what I do, and there aren’t many people who can say that, so I consider myself extremely fortunate. I’ve also developed a great network of people around the game, and many have become my close friends. Those are the best elements of my job…and getting to watch baseball every day isn’t so bad either!

SP: Do you have any expectations for the Ports in 2012? What are you most looking forward to this season?

ZB: It should be a great season. They had tremendous pitching last season in Low-A Burlington, and many of the guys from that pitching staff are here now. I’m interested to see how they adjust to the Cal-League, which is notoriously hitter friendly. I’m also really looking forward to seeing Max Stassi work behind the plate. His season was cut short in 2011 because of a shoulder injury, and he didn’t get to catch a single game while he was here last season. I’ve heard from lots of people, especially pitchers who’ve worked with him, that he’s a great defensive catcher. I look forward to seeing that in 2012.

Stockton Ports: So you played in Stockton for the 2008, 2009, and even part of the 2010 season. What was your time like here and what’d you get out of it?

Jermaine Mitchell: I had a lot of fun while I was on the Ports, but of course you never want to repeat a year. So I was looking to get out of here and move up.

SP: What was your fondest memory while on the Ports?

JM: Winning the Cal League Championship in 2008.

SP: You’ve talked a lot about your turning point in working with Rickey Henderson. What do you think it was that helped things click for you?

JM: Rickey taught me how important it was to go out and enjoy the game and play to have fun. I’m such a perfectionist and he helped me see that you can fail seven out of ten times and still be one of the best hitters in the game, when I was aiming to hit seven out of ten. So I’ve really loosened up and started having fun with it.

Mitchell batting for the Ports in 2009.

SP: How was the off season for you, and what have you been focusing on improving?

JM: I wasn’t able to do much in the off season because of my knee surgery, so I’ve just been trying to stay healthy. And I want to pick up where I left off last season.

SP: Aside from making it to the majors, what are your goals for the season?

JM: My number one goal really is to stay healthy. And I’d like to get around 40 to 45 stolen bases this season.

SP: What are you expectations for 2012?

JM: I just want to have another great season. I really want to prove last season wasn’t just a one year thing. So I expect to have a really good year.

2011 Stockton Ports, returning for another season

Gilmartin at bat for the Ports in 2011.

Michael Gilmartin – INF

Gilmartin returns to Stockton for another year following his outstanding performance in 2011, where he was named to the Mid-Season All-Star team. Michael ended the 2011 season with a .264 average, 14 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Max Stassi – INF

Stassi, who was an Athletics 4th round draft pick in 2009, returns to the Ports after spending his 2011 season here in Stockton, where he had 19 RBIs, with an OBP of .331 and a .231batting average.

Connor Hoehn – RHP

Hoehn, who was an Athletics 12th round amateur draft pick in 2009, returns to Stockton after spending the 2011 with the Ports, where he went 2-3 with a 5.21 ERA.

Rashun Dixon – OF

Dixon returns to the Ports after spending his 2011 season here in Stockton, where he ended the season with 11 HRs, 47 RBIs, an OBP of .317, and a .243 batting average. Rashun was selected by the Athletics in the 10th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Jake Brown – LHP

Jake, who was selected by the Athletics in the 26th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, spent half his season with the Ports in 2011, where he went 5-7 with a 5.55 ERA.

Myrio Richard – OF

Myrio gears up for another season with the Ports after spending 2011 in Stockton, where he hit 8 HRs, 57 RBIs, and stole 27 bases, with a .292 batting average and .363 on base percentage. Richard was a ninth round selection by the Athletics in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

Former Stockton Ports now on the Sacramento River Cats

Jermaine Mitchell – OF

Mitchell, who was selected by Oakland in the fifth round of the 2006 First-Year Player draft, spent the 2008, 2009, and even part of the 2010 season in a Stockton Ports uniform. In 2011, Jermaine split his time between Sacramento and Midland where he hit 15 HRs, 78 RBIs, and stole 27 bases with a .332 batting average and a .430 on base percentage.

Travis Banwart – RHP

Banwart, who was a Stockton Port in 2008, split his time since in Midland and Sacramento, ultimately sticking with the River Cats for the entire 2011. Last year, Travis was named PCL Pitcher of the Week and went 9-9 with a 4.63 ERA in Sacramento.

Joel Galarraga – C

Galarraga, who was selected as a free-agent by the Athletics 2008, spent part of his 2010 season in a Stockton Ports uniform. In 2011, Joel was with the River Cats for half of the season where he had a .406 batting average and a .424 on base percentage.

Stephen Parker – INF

Parker was with the Stockton Ports in 2010, where he was named to the CAL Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star Teams. In 2011, Stephen split his time between Midland and Sacramento where he hit 10 HRs, 76 RBIs, with a .373 OBP and a .287 batting average. Parker was selected by Oakland in the 5th round of the 2009 amateur draft.

Pedro Figueroa – LHP

Figueroa was in Stockton in 2009 where he was named CAL Pitcher of the Week, while pitching with the Ports. Pedro, who was signed by the Athletics as a free agent in 2003, spent 2011 with the Arizona Athletics rookie league team.

Chris Carter – INF

Carter, who was acquired by the Athletics in a trade in 2007, spent his entire 2008 season, and part of his 2011 season in a Ports uniform. Chris has been all over the past few seasons, spending time in Oakland, Stockton, and Sacramento. In the minors last year, he hit 21 HRs and 79 RBIs, with a .371 OBP and .278 batting average.

Carlos Hernandez – LHP

Hernandez, who was picked up by the Athletics in the 35th round in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, spent part of his 2009 season in Stockton. In 2011, Carlos split his time between Midland and Sacramento, where his average ERA was

Green in a Ports uniform in 2010.

5.27 and he went 12-8.

Grant Green – OF

Green, who was selected by the Athletics in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, spent 2010 in a Stockton Ports uniform, where he was selected to the CAL Post-Season All-Star team. In 2011, Grant was with the Midland Rockhounds where he hit 9 HRs and had 62 RBIs, with an OBP of .343 and a .291 batting average.

Tickets for the April 3rd 6:35 p.m. exhibition game can be purchased for only $5 at the Ports ticket office, online at www.stocktonports.com or by phone at (209) 644-1900.

The Grounds Crew working Pre-Game in 2011.

Stockton Ports: The Ports season opens up at home on April 12, but the Grounds Crew is at Banner Island Ballpark year round keeping the field in good shape. What’s the off-season maintenance actually like?

Justin Clarke: During the off-season, most of the maintenance revolves around keeping the field ready for tournaments, and there’s typically two or three per month through November. After that we apply a winter overseeding, to keep the field green when not much is going on at Banner Island Ballpark.

SP: When do you really start getting the field ready for the season, and how does the maintenance change at that point?

JC: We typically kick things into high gear around Mid-March, giving us 2 solid weeks before any exhibition or regular season games start. However this year, we started about a week later, due to the Scorpions FC vs Club Dorados De Si soccer match that was hosted at the ballpark on March 14. Getting ready for the season, we dedicate a lot more time to working on the field, greening-up the grass and fixing up the infield and mounds. A couple of the big things we do is laser grade the infield dirt to make sure the surface is completely flat and fine tune the measurements of the mounds. Although the first home game isn’t until April 14, we’ll be treating the April 3 Exhibition Game against the River Cats as Opening Day, so the field will be in prime shape by then.

SP: What’s something fans wouldn’t expect to hear about the field maintenance?

JC: I don’t think fans consider all of the detail that goes into maintaining the field. It’s definitely not like keeping the grass in your front yard green! There’s a huge amount of work that’s required to get the field looking how it does. I also think fans wouldn’t expect to hear how much of a focus we place on maintaining the dirt areas – we spend a lot more time keeping the infield dirt at a good consistency than we do working on the grass.

SP: How much time do you spend on the field every day once the season starts?

JC: On a typical Game day, we have a crew that goes out at 8 a.m. to work on the field, then another crew at 3 p.m. and we’ll be at the ballpark usually about an hour past the end of the game. So the game days can be quite lengthy, especially with the longer homestands, and when we’re alternating between Ports games and off-week tournaments.

SP: You’ve partially addressed this question already, but how is your job going to change once the season starts?

JC: It’s going to get much more intense. Our focus on the field is going to get much more detailed. I always say I transform from going about 10 MPH in the off-season to 100 MPH once the season kicks into full gear. Once our crew gets into a routine, it gets easier, but the first few months are very demanding for the whole Grounds Crew.

SP: Finally, what are you most looking forward to this season, and what’s the best part of your job?

Justin and his team working on the field in between innings, at a 2011 game.

JC: I’m looking forward to the camaraderie that develops with the crew – we spend every day together and it’s really like we’re a family. And of course, we love when the team’s doing well, and the atmosphere when we get a lot of fans out to Banner Island Ballpark. The best part of the job is the sense of accomplishment we get when we get compliments, whether they’re coming from players, coaches, or fans alike. It’s nice when all the hard work we put into the field gets noticed.

How are you feeling about the A’s this season? What do you expect from the team, and what (or who) should fans be looking forward to seeing?

I am extremely curious about this team, as I’m sure many fans are. So many unknowns right now and so many good storylines. First and foremost, the A’s have to get solid starting pitching from a mostly unknown cast. The trades of Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill, Josh OUtman and Guillermo Moscoso leave lots of holes to fill in the rotation. There’s lots of talented replacements, it’s just a matter of whether these young guys are ready. The big (and new) pitching names to watch: Jarrod Parker, Brad Peacock, Tom Milone. All have a crack at joining the rotation, as do Tyson Ross and Graham Godfrey. Next question: Can this team score more runs than in recent seasons? Manny Ramirez will miss the first two months, so it’s up to hitters like Josh Reddick, Seth Smith and, of course, Yoenis Cespedes, to bring some pop in the middle of the lineup. There are so many question marks right now, and in a very tough AL West, I think reaching 75 wins would have to be considered an achievement. But this team has me intrigued because of the newcomers.

What are your thoughts on spring training? Is there anything you’re particularly interested in or excited about this March?

OF Yoenis Cespedes hits his first spring training HR with the A's.

First off, there is no better place to be in the month of March than Phoenix/Scottsdale. If you haven’t made a trip down here, try to do so. Great weather and small, intimate stadiums. It’s a great baseball experience … Some of the things I’m interested in, I mentioned above. But so much rides on Cespedes and whether he shows he’s ready by the start of the season. It’s no easy adjustment he faces, arriving in a new country and being counted on to play a starring role for a major league team. If he proves up to the task, the A’s will have themselves a dangerous middle-of-the-order  bat, not to mention a very athletic outfield. Cespedes will have the next couple of weeks to show his stuff in exhibitions. That’s what I’m excited to see.

There’s been lots of talk about 2011 Ports OF Michael Choice. What are the coaches saying about him? What have you seen from him?

A's Prospect, Choice, with the Ports in 2011.

The entire organization speaks highly of Choice, and for good reason based on what he showed last year for Stockton. Manager Bob Melvin paid him a really nice compliment two weeks ago, saying all indications are Choice will move through the system quickly. The guy has big-time power potential at the plate and he’s one of the fastest guys in camp. I know he’s mainly been playing center, but he could move to a corner outfield spot once he’s in the majors if need be. I think we’ll see Choice playing in Oakland at some point this season — maybe September, maybe sooner.

AJ Cole was picked up in the trade with Washington for Gio Gonzalez. Since he’s expected to be in Stockton this season, what should Ports fans expect from him?

Lots of upside with this guy. Right now, Brad Peacock is the top-rated prospect the A’s received from that trade. But big things are expected from Cole, a 20-year-old right-hander. He’s a lanky kid — listed at 6-4, 181 pounds. He was slowed at the start of last season by illness, and went 4-7 with a4.04 ERA for low Single-A Hagerstown. Those aren’t great numbers, but he had 108 strikeouts in 89 innings. He’s got a live fastball that has touched 98 mph but sits in the mid-90′s. His curve ball is a developing second pitch and he’s got a changeup that he’s trying to develop into a third pitch. He should be fun to watch for the Ports, and he should be paired up with catcher Max Stassi, who’s also expected to be with Stockton. Those two could be working together for several seasons to come.

Blake Hassebrock, who was Burlington’s ace in 2011, is also anticipated to be in Stockton this season. Could you give us a scouting report on him?

Gotta be honest, I don’t have a ton of knowledge on Hassebrock yet. And since he’s not in big league camp, there hasn’t been much talk about him among coaches. But he was an eighth-round pick in 2010. He went 7-8 with a 2.64 ERA in 26 starts for Burlington last season. As with Cole, just watch his progression throughout the course of the season. How will he handle things in such a hitter-friendly environment as the Cal League?

What do you think about the current OF situation with the A’s? They’ve picked up quite a few players in trades, and they have guys like Grant Green and Jermaine Mitchell who’ve worked their way up the farm system. How do you see it panning out?

As I mentioned above, it all revolves around Cespedes. If he’s plugged in at center field, Coco Crisp likely moves to left, Josh Reddick will likely be the starting rigth fielder and Seth Smith and Jonny Gomes will probably share the DH spot in a platoon. There’s always the chance of a trade, I suppose. But the A’s probably want to see who produces the most offensively before deciding who is expendable. I talked to Green early in camp, and he said he’s still a “work in progress” in center field. The toughest plays for him are fly balls hit directly over his head — a tough play for any outfielder regardless of experience. I see Choice making a major league appearance before Green just because Green is still making the adjustment to the outfield. Mitchell is still working his way back from knee surgery, but seems to be doing well. Lots of tools with that guy. Could be a “late bloomer.”