It’s hours before first pitch at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. Maryland baseball players stretch and the coaches finalize their game plan. Preparation is underway, but there’s still a long time until fans take their seats.
During that time, a small group of dedicated students moves quietly in the background, hauling equipment, testing technology and organizing information that is vital to the team.
Student managers handle a major portion of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the program running day-to-day.
“They do a lot that people don’t see,” senior manager Grant Kirstukas said. “Especially with the tech and the scouting reports. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes.”
Kirstukas, a senior business analytics major from Timonium, didn’t join the program until the fall of his junior year. But like many managers, his path began with a desire to stay involved with the sport after his playing career ended.
“I’ve always wanted to work in baseball,” Kirstukas said. “When I saw they were looking for managers, I applied and started pretty quickly.”
Almost immediately, that decision became a demanding full-time commitment.
Managers balance full course loads with responsibilities that take up the same time as a full-time job. During the season, there are practices during the week, games, travel and hours of preparation outside of that.
“You have exams, and you’re expected to do scouting reports every week,” Kirstukas said. “There were nights I was up at 1 or 2 in the morning trying to finish everything.”
On practice days, managers act as the backbone of each drill. Before the Terps begin practice, managers set up machines, organize equipment and prepare the field. Once practice begins, they rotate through roles.
They collect balls, load machines and assist in any way they can.
Sophomore manager Aaron Waldman said those small tasks quickly add up, even if they go unnoticed.
“Setting up, cleaning up, even small stuff like wires and cords,” Waldman said. “That takes time, and if the coaches are doing that, they can’t help the players.”
The Gaithersburg, Maryland, native joined the team as a freshman after trying out for club baseball. When that path did not work out, he looked for another way to stay involved.
Like Kirstukas, he described an initial adjustment period, not because of the workload, but because of the pressure to do his job correctly.
“You want to be useful and helpful,” Waldman said. “There’s a coaching staff that’s built on winning games, so you’re thinking, ‘If I mess up, how does that affect everything?’”
That pressure extends into game days, when the responsibilities become more visible and complex.
Managers usually arrive about two to three hours before the first pitch. They prepare scouting reports, organize pregame snacks, test communication systems and ensure every piece of technology functions properly.
“I’m in charge of making sure all the tech is working,” Kirstukas said. “We test everything before the game so there are no malfunctions.”
Once the game begins, the work does not stop. Some managers position themselves behind home plate, logging pitches into the tracking system. Others remain in the dugout, helping with equipment, game balls and data tracking.
That data plays a growing role in college baseball, and managers look at tendencies and other factors to give the Terps an edge.
Preparation for those moments often begins days in advance. Managers spend hours preparing scouting reports, doing their best to provide hitters and pitchers with information that will help them succeed.
“It’s about giving the hitters something they can actually use,” Kirstukas said. “Not too much, but enough to help them prepare.”
Another key role of managing is travel. With only one or two managers making most road trips, the workload increases, often beyond baseball activities.
The dugout stays stocked with food during gamedays after managers make the trip to the grocery store for essential snacks and drinks. These chores, while seemingly small, help keep the team running.
Despite operating behind the scenes, both managers said the experience has allowed them to build meaningful connections within the program. Krisrukas noted how much joy he gets from being around players and coaches and the relationships it builds.
For Waldman, that connection developed over time.
“As a freshman, you’re nervous,” he said. “But once you get comfortable, you feel like part of the organization.”
That sense of belonging stands out as one of the most rewarding parts of being a manager. Even without stepping on the field and playing, managers still feel like a critical member of the ballclub.
Big moments have helped bring everyone together. Both managers mentioned Devin Russell’s walk-off grand slam against Indiana as a favorite memory. “It was just chaos,” Kirstukas said.
“It was just chaos,” Kirstukas said. “Probably the most excitement we’ve felt.”
Waldman also pointed to smaller traditions that carry similar meaning, including a game managers play during scrimmages where they predict home runs.
As the season winds down, Kirstuals is beginning to reflect on his final weeks with the program. He hopes to pursue a baseball career, but for now, his focus remains on finishing strong with the team and making more memories in the few remaining weeks.
For a role that is built on preparation, accuracy, and long hours, those moments, spending time with the team, offer a reminder of why their work matters. Behind every pitch, Maryland’s student managers continue to work in the background, ensuring the entire team runs smoothly and as planned.
