In baseball, a bat boy (or bat girl) is an individual who assists the team by carrying baseball bats to the players. Their duties often include handling and preparing players’ equipment, bringing baseballs to the umpire during the game, and retrieving or replacing broken bats.
Bat boys play an integral support role, ensuring that every game runs smoothly by starting preparations hours before the game begins. They also collect balls during batting practice and supply the dugout with whatever the players need.
During games, bat boys remain in or near the team’s dugout and the area around home plate. They typically wear the same uniform design as their associated team and often wear a batting helmet for protection.
It’s a physically demanding job that requires good stamina and a fundamental knowledge of the game.
We began to wonder (this is usually bad), who is the oldest bat boy / bat girl in baseball history? Obviously, not something that can easily be researched, but after a little newspaper digging, we found a story, and a “record” that had been set, but was literally about to be broken.
Introducing Don MacKay, who not only broke his own record, but wrote a story about the historic day and shared it – exclusively, with Baseball Almanac:
“Well, I did it.
“Worked as the batboy for the Palm Beach Cardinals last Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The Cardinals won 6-3 over the Jupiter Hammerheads. Both teams are in the Florida State League and both call Roger Dean Stadium their home ballpark.
“That broke my existing record (75) as the oldest batboy in the history of professional baseball at age 76.
“Since we were the visitor on the scoreboard, I didn’t have the responsibility of supplying umpires with baseballs.
“I did all of the other duties of retrieving bats and foul balls, getting batter’s equipment when they reached first base (batting gloves, protective gear, etc.). Getting water to the first base umpire on a very hot, humid night.
“The players were great and treated me as a part of the team, although I wasn’t sure how they’d feel about having someone who could be their grandfather in the dugout.
“The fans were also great. It was Silver Slugger Night, a promotion for folks over the age of 55. Most of the fans know me from selling programs and ushering. I’ve been at the Stadium for 21 years.
“The players were a little surprised that I had fans cheering for me. I told them I hadn’t struck out or thrown a home run pitch in almost 50 years, so I’m good with them.
“It was a great night and with a win, I was told that I’d be welcomed back anytime.
“Now I’m waiting for the call up to Hi A Peoria, Springfield (AA) or Memphis (AAA). It’s never too late.”
It really is never too late. The Cardinals he worked with won the Florida State League Championship, on September 18, 2024, defeating the Lakeland Flying Tigers, two games to one. It was the second championship in-a-row at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, as the Hammerheads won it in 2023, defeating the Clearwater Threshers.
If you would like to contact Don, he may be reached by email (coachmac@email.com) for additional questions, comments, or a congratulatory note.
