Article reposted from Daily Southtown
Author: Tim Tierny
Shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez wished Andrew Gates a happy birthday Thursday as the Slammers trainer walked by the batting cage under Silver Cross Field.
Gates also stopped to talk to the hitters, illustrating that the trainer and players interact more than just when one of them gets hurt.
“We see a lot of each other,” Gates said. “We’ve got a good group of guys, so it’s not bad at all. I always joke I’m around them more than I am my family or anybody else. We get comfortable with each other quick, that’s for sure.”
The 28-year-old Gates is in his fifth season as the Slammers’ trainer. Joliet just finished playing 15 of its last 18 games at Silver Cross Field, which gave the players and staff plenty of time with one another.
You get to know each other pretty well,” Gates said. “You get to know a lot about each guy.”
On a typical game day, Gates arrives at the ballpark at 1 p.m. for a first pitch at 7:05 p.m.
“Get things going,” he said. “Fill the coolers up, get the cold tub ready. Guys start rolling in. After a 7:05 game, we get out of here about 10:30, 11 if it’s late. It makes for a long day.”
The on-field work starts when Gates stretches the pitchers at 2:45 p.m. and hitters and position players at 3:45 before batting practice. That’s followed by any necessary pregame treatments in the training room.
Gates is a 2011 North Central College graduate who interned with the Gary SouthShore RailCats in 2010. His work ethic has impressed Joliet manager Jeff Isom.
“He’s out early working with the players, stretching, conditioning,'” Isom said. “He’s being very proactive with his job, making sure they’re staying in shape.”
Joliet had losing records the past four seasons, which didn’t help the overall “health” of the lineup.
But the 2016 Slammers were atop the East Division by 3 1/2 games going into Thursday’s series finale against Normal.
“The bumps and bruises are a lot less noticeable when we’re doing well,” Gates said. “Not that guys make things up or anything like that. It’s just with success, spirits are high. Guys want to be out there. They want to compete. They tend to push through a little bit more.”
The Slammers hit the road Friday for a weekend series against the Southern Illinois Miners in Marion. That means additional responsibilities for Gates.
“My title is athletic trainer, but there’s other things under that umbrella,” he said. “On the road, I’ll make sure we have our workout days and workout facilities lined up. I make sure guys are aware of times for that, times to the field.
“Just kind of making sure we keep order and everyone is where they need to be takes things off Isom’s plate and Mong’s (assistant coach Chris Mongiardo) plate in terms of letting them focus on the game.”
Isom also relies on Gates to monitor the locker room.
“He’ll put guys back in their place when he needs to,” Isom said. “He kind of runs that whole clubhouse, knows what’s going on. If there’s something I need to address, he’ll be the first one to tell me.”
Through the ups and downs, home and on the road, Gates truly appreciates his job.
“I talk to people and tell them not many people get to show up to a baseball stadium for work every day,” Gates said. “I’m allotted that privilege. Even when things get to be a grind, we still go to a baseball field every day for work.”