You’ve heard the old saying ‘do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’

Well, think back to when you were in high school. Your summer job probably didn’t fit into that description. Perhaps you were working at a fast food restaurant or cutting lawns, maybe stocking shelves at the grocery store.

Very few people, especially young people, love those sort of jobs.

Parkland senior Sawyer Marsteller found a summer job he loves and is in an environment where he is happy.

During the spring sports season you can find Marsteller pitching for the Parkland varsity baseball team. He loves baseball and he loves pitching, so Marsteller found a way to incorporate those things into a summer job.

For the past three summers, Marsteller has served as the bat boy for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. While there are some tasks he might not enjoy as much as others, he gets to be around the game and hangs out with players he admires and respects.

Not everybody knows all that a bat boy does. Fans see him getting new baseballs for the umpire, chasing down foul balls and picking up bats left on the field by a player.

What they don’t see is the work that a bat boy puts in before a game and late at night after a game. The work begins in the afternoon hours before the gates are open.

“I make sure everything the players need is out there and ready for them,” said Marsteller. “I stock the dugout and the bullpen and have everything they might need. Obviously, I have to get the balls and bats and then after the game, I’m putting everything back and cleaning the player’s cleats.”

During the game, Marsteller gets a workout.

Between foul balls and bats, bat boys are constantly running around the field. When they’re not running, they’re stationed at the steps of the dugout ready to pounce on the next foul ball or pick up the next bat that is left on the field. That also gives Marsteller a great seat for games.

The best part comes in the down time before or after a game, and in the clubhouse.

Many of the players have taken the time to get to know Marsteller a little and know that he loves baseball and pitches for his high school team. The pitchers especially have befriended Marsteller and have given him some tips to help his game.

“It’s great to have conversations with them because obviously, they’re professional players, so they know what they’re talking about,” said Marsteller. “They’ve taught me a lot about how to throw pitches and even about what your demeanor should be and how they act in situations. Even just watching them you learn a lot, but the conversations are great.”

One of the pitchers with Lehigh Valley is a former player from Parkland who is looking to reach the majors.

Gabe Mosser came to the IronPigs earlier this season and is a starting pitcher on the team. While Mosser is looking to reach the majors, Marsteller also gets to be around established major leaguers who come to Lehigh Valley on injury rehab assignments. This season, Aaron Nola was with Lehigh Valley for a while, giving Marsteller a front-row seat to how he goes about the game.

“It was great. Being able to see him and watch him, knowing that he is a major leaguer,” said Marsteller. “Usually, they’re only here for a couple of days and they are really focused on what they have to do and then they’re gone. It’s great though just to watch how they go about their business.”

From his perch on the dugout steps, right next to the IronPigs coaching staff, Marsteller has gotten to witness some great baseball. One of his most unforgettable memories didn’t involve a pitcher.

“The last game last season when Darick Hall hit that walk-off home run,” said Marsteller with a wide smile on his face remembering the moment. “That was a great send off for the season, it was pretty cool.”

Next spring will be Marsteller’s send off from high school baseball and he is hoping that some of the lessons he has learned will help him put together a special season on the mound.

“It’s great to be able to take some of the stuff I see here and talk to the players about and then try it out,” said Marsteller. “It’s awesome just to be around these guys and be around the game. It’s a great opportunity.”