There are times, even 10 years later, Steve Hamilton cannot believe what he does for a living – and where he does it.

Hamilton, a 2001 graduate of Jackson Christian School, is a Maintenance Coordinator at the Peoria Sports Baseball Complex in Peoria, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix.

The Complex consists of two Major League fields, eight minor league fields and two half baseball practice fields and is the spring training home of Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres.

“My dad’s (late) friend Billy Schrivner told him baseball is America’s game,” Hamilton said, “The best part of my job is being able to see the best players in person … to see players succeed in their careers.

“It’s something of a fraternity.”

Prior to accepting his position in Peoria, Steve gained experience working for three years at Scottsdale Stadium – the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants – in Scottsdale, Arizona.

He was also an assistant at Camelback Ranch – the spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox -and worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks field crew.

When Major League Baseball held the 2011 All-Star Game at Chase Field in Phoenix – you guessed it – Hamilton was asked to lend a hand.

Hamilton, 35, compared Spring Training to ‘organized chaos.’

“You have 180 minor leaguers and 40 Major League Baseball players demanding certain fields,” Hamilton said.

Even Manny Machado – who signed a 12 year, $330 million contract with the San Diego Padres?

“Yes, even Manny at third base, who wants his infield extremely wet,” Hamilton said, “When you water the field before the game, he wants it wet and sloppy so it slows the ball down.”

(PHOTO: Steve Hamilton, right, is pictured with his father, Jackson businessman Bill Hamilton)
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