Short Makes Visiting Florida State League Players Feel at Home

Though Don Short works for the Clearwater Threshers, he is the opposing team's best friend.

When the visiting team bus arrives at hours before a game, Short is often one of the first people members of the opposing team see when they enter the stadium.

That's because he is the visiting clubhouse manager for the Threshers.

Short is like a mother hen for visiting teams. He helps unload the teams' equipment off the bus, gets all the bats and balls ready for batting practice, cleans and straightens up the clubhouse when the team is on the field, prepares the pre and postgame meals, and when the game is in progress, Short makes sure all the players have plenty of toiletries so they can shower quickly and get out.

Oh, and during homestands, Short washes the uniforms of the visiting team.

"It keeps you moving," said Short, who seems to have a perpetual smile on his face. "Before you know it, the night is over."

This is not something Short has done just for milk and bread money. For 21 years Short worked for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers working with special teams, specifically place kickers and punters. During practices, Short made sure everything was ready for the place kickers and punters so they could practice without wasting time chasing down balls or finding tees, etc.

On game days, Short did the same job for visiting teams to Tampa Bay, making sure all of their equipment - towels, tees, balls - were all in place so the place kickers and punters could effectively warm up.

"I do it because of the thrill, its fun," Short said. "It keeps me young."

Short has been the visiting clubhouse manager at Bright House Field for the past five seasons.

"I feed them, I take care of all of their stuff," Short said. "I make sure everything is in place."

Short knows he's done a good job when players, after they have finished batting practice, arrive back at the clubhouse before the game and devour the food he left on the spread.

"They liked the meat," Short joked looking at what was left before Daytona played Clearwater Sunday night. The only thing not eaten was cheese, a few slices of bread and chocolate chip cookies.

Short does his best to be a liaison or concierge for the community and the visiting team. He tries his best to help his guests and in turn, they help him.

"I'm keeping everybody entertained," Short joked. "Even if the coaches and the players are away from home and not at their home park, they are comfortable here. I make sure they are OK. A lot of these guys are from different parts of the country and different parts of the world. So they have a tendency not to be around too many people. If they have a couple of questions and I can help them, they open up and you have made a new friend. That is the key.

"I get complements all the time and they leave me tips. If you take care of them, they will take care of you. The biggest compliment is when they shake your hand. It isn't a lot but it means a lot."

Fish report: The 3-1 loss to Daytona Sunday was the Threshers' first home loss this season. ... OF Leandro Castro sure has made an impact with Clearwater in a short time. He has three homers in 11 games and eight RBIs. His home run in the seventh helped key a rally to beat Dunedin 5-4 April 10 and his two-run homer proved to be the difference in a 3-1 Threshers win in the team's home opener April 8. ... Clearwater is currently tied for second place in the FSL North Division with Daytona, a game behind Lakeland.

On deck: The Threshers the Brevard County Manatees at 1 p.m. today (April 20). Wednesday is at the ball park from 4:30 to 9 p.m.