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The faces on the field change each year, from David Justice to Kevin Mench to Aaron Harang to whichever young ballplayer emerges this summer as a future major leaguer. But elsewhere at Calfee Park, many faces are as familiar as the green grass of the outfield and the white chalk of the baselines. With another season of Pulaski baseball set to open this week, we introduce six faces you’ll encounter during an evening at the park.

Tom Compton

Team president, part-owner and general manager

“Whatever comes up, we take care of it.”

Age: 56

Season: 17th

Duties: Communicates with Blue Jays minor league offices in Dunedin, Fla. Arranges housing for players and coaches, team buses, equipment, food and drink vendors. Hires front office and ballpark employees.

Day jobs: Pulaski town inspector, farmer

In a former life: Before purchasing Pulaski Baseball Inc. with the late David Edmonds 20 years ago, owned WPSK, the radio station that broadcast Pulaski Braves games.

Why he does it: “I love sports. I like football. I like basketball. I like baseball and just got an opportunity to get involved in it. … You get to meet some young kids that are hopefully future Hall of Famers and you meet them before they are who they are. They’re kind of down-to-earth and don’t have the big head like some of the guys do now.”

Gary Martin

Groundskeeper

“I've lived here all my life. Grew up right around the ballpark.”

Age: 50

Season: 25th

Duties: Mows infield and outfield grass. Rakes dirt, including basepaths, pitching mound, bullpens and home plate area. Maintains home and visiting clubhouses. Cleans up stands after the game. Assorted fix-up jobs.

Day job: Maintains other Pulaski parks and playgrounds.

In a former life: Worked at Calfee Park in one job or another since age 12. Started full time with parks department in 1975.

Why he does it: “It’s a job you can be proud of. You can see the finished product.”

“Kids are lining up from all around to take on the big green machine.”

Neon Leon

Mascot

“Kids are lining up from all around to take on the big green machine.”

Age: ???

Season: Third

Duties: Entertains fans. Plays with children in stands and on the field between innings. Sprays water gun. Communicates with gestures. Remains silent. Cavorts. Presents one lucky female patron with a flower bouquet.

Day job: Lives at Calfee Park.

In a former life: Like Mugsy, his Salem Avalanche colleague, Leon is an extraterrestrial, though he has kept his specific heritage secret from team officials.

Why he does it: Leon is an elusive interview, but according to his official team biography, the 6-foot-8, 302-pounder “misses his planet” but “loves watching the Blue Jays play. His hobbies include making fans smile and laugh.” He reportedly “cannot get enough of the action.”

Taylor Snow

Public address announcer

“I just have enjoyed it so much that I don't really want to leave.”

Age: 23

Season: Seventh (first as announcer)

Duties: Announces starting lineups, lineup changes and each batter as he comes to plate. Reads ballpark promotions and advertisements between innings. Helps coordinate press box.

Day jobs: Teaches world history to eighth-graders at Carroll County Intermediate School in Hillsville. P.A. announcer for Carroll County eighth grade and junior varsity football games.

In a former life: Hosted on-field games as promotions staffer while at Pulaski County High School (Class of 2001) and the College of William and Mary (2005).

Why he does it: “I’m a huge baseball fan. For me, it’s sort of baseball at its purest. … They’re playing for next to nothing. They’re sort of trying to reach a dream. The cliched stuff that you hear about baseball — I mean, it’s true. Just being able to work at a baseball field is just incredible. … It was one of the main factors of why I wanted to stay in the area.”

“Whatever comes up, we take care of it.”

Helen Starks

Concession

“It’s Happy Helen, for all your Budweiser needs and more.”

Age: 60

Season: 10th

Duties: One of few team employees authorized to sell beer. Pulls drafts of Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob and Michelob Ultra. Serves wine coolers and O’Doul’s in bottles.

Day job: Business office, Southwest Times

In a former life: Fell in love with major league baseball while living in Dallas, St. Louis and San Diego.

Why she does it: “Baseball. I’ve always lived in a major league city, so it’s nice to have baseball that I can go to. … I actually have one of the best seats in the house, because the beer window faces first base.”

Jaimee Marinke

Assistant general manager

“If you don’t get it done then it’s not going to get done.”

Age: 22

Season: Third

Duties: Supervises game day operations, 30 or 40 ballpark employees. Schedules advertising, promotions. Orders souvenirs, tickets, supplies. Trains and supervises five interns.

Day job: None.

In a former life: Basketball, softball player at Tabb High School in Yorktown, 2004 Blue Jays intern, 2005 Radford University graduate.

Why she does it: “I like the flexibility in the schedule. I’m a pretty self-motivated person and that’s kind of how it is in the office. … It’s exciting and challenging. … This is an excellent opportunity for me.”

Player Roster

Season schedule