Another Load of Laundry: Behind the scenes with the ThunderBolts’ clubhouse manager

By Zach Browning

 

Long before the gates open on a game day at Ozinga Field, there are uniforms to wash, clubhouses to clean and water coolers to fill.

Hours later, after the final out of the night is recorded and the last fans make their way toward the exits, there are more uniforms to wash, towels to clean and preparations to make for the next day.

For a clubhouse manager in independent professional baseball, the work surrounding a game stretches far beyond the roughly three hours played between the lines.

“It’s a long day, [there are] long weekends. It’s a long season,” ThunderBolts clubhouse manager Ryan Evans said. “I’m at the ballpark from nine or 10 in the morning, doing work literally all day until maybe two or three in the morning.”

Evans took over as Windy City’s clubhouse manager ahead of the 2026 season. His responsibilities offer a glimpse into one of the many jobs required behind the scenes to keep a professional baseball team operating as it should each day.

The work starts in the morning.

Before players and coaches begin filtering into the clubhouse, the home clubhouse and dugout have to be cleaned. Garbage from the previous day has to be taken out, and whatever laundry couldn’t be finished the night before is waiting.

Uniforms, towels and other gear cycle through the machines throughout the day. What begins as leftover laundry from the previous game gives way to everything generated by the next one.

From there, attention shifts toward preparing for that day’s game.

Water coolers have to be filled. The visiting clubhouse has to be cleaned and prepared for the incoming team, including placing names above each player’s locker. By the time the umpires arrive, their room needs to be stocked with whatever they may need.

The home clubhouse requires its own preparation.

Each day, the ThunderBolts’ starting pitcher selects the uniform combination the team will wear. Those jerseys then have to make their way into the players’ lockers before game time.

“It’s a lot of moving parts in this position,” Evans said. “Throughout the day I’m literally bouncing back and forth between clubhouses.”

The closer first pitch gets, the more those moving parts begin to overlap.

Evans makes trips to the concession stands to pick up food for players, coaches and umpires. Last-minute needs have to be addressed on both sides of the ballpark. Eventually, the teams take the field and the game begins.

Even still, the work continues behind the scenes.

During the game, one of the clubhouse manager’s responsibilities is maintaining a steady supply of baseballs for the home plate umpire and ball boys.

Meanwhile, the washing machines keep running.

Many players shower after batting practice and before first pitch, meaning towels used only a few hours earlier have to be washed and ready for another round of showers after the final out.

As the game progresses, attention eventually shifts toward preparing the postgame meal for the players and coaches.

Then comes the final out.

Players head back toward the clubhouse. Fans begin filing out of Ozinga Field. Another pile of uniforms and towels arrives. 

For the clubhouse manager, another part of the workday is just beginning.

Laundry that can be finished that night gets a head start. The clubhouse has to be cleaned again. Everything that can be prepared for the following day means one fewer task waiting for the next morning.

Then, after a few hours away from the ballpark, the cycle starts again.

Another clubhouse to clean. Another set of uniforms to prepare. Another game to get ready for. And, of course, another load of laundry.