Merrimack Youth Baseball (MYB) operates two concession stands at our ball fields; one at Bise field and one at AmTech. These concession stands contribute an important part of the MYB programs revenues, helping to keep our registration fees low. These stands are operated solely by volunteers. The parents of the children in the program are asked each year to step up and help with these volunteer duties. A parent will only be asked to contribute their time at one of the two fields during a game in which their child is playing. Each team has a team parent. This person has volunteered their time to, among other duties; organize the concession schedule for their respective teams. If every player’s parent contributes equally, each will spend very little time in the concession stand over the course of a season.

Working in the concession stand is actually a very simple task. As would be expected, most parents are reluctant to step in at first as they have no knowledge of the way the stand operates. It is truly beginning a new job with zero training. While the board would love to hold training sessions, it is really not feasible given the number of parents in the program. The physical size of the stands would require multiple training periods to get each parent in. Therefore, the only way to learn the procedure is to jump in and begin. After just 10 minutes of business enough knowledge will be gained that you will become helpful. Drinks are the largest selling product and it is quite simple to grab one and sell it after spending a couple minutes learning where things are. The concession stands often have a MYB board member or another parent that has some experience working in them. Ask this person questions. This person was probably in your shoes not long ago. You are not being judged on your speed or your knowledge; you are actually being respected for becoming a volunteer. You don’t have to wait until your first “shift” arrives to step into a stand and learn. If you are at one of the fields and an experienced person is in the stand step in and introduce yourself. Mention that you are there to learn because you will be doing your first shift soon. Certainly that the person(s) in the stand would be happy to show you around. After just 1 or 2 shifts you will actually become a bit of a trainer yourself – It’s that simple.

The two fields have very similar set-ups. The concession stand at AmTech is actually a great place to watch the game from. At Bise the view is not as good but parents often cover for each other while one steps out to watch their child bat. At Bise we run a grill with burgers, sausages, and other specials. AmTech has no grill. Both fields have a fryer for chicken fingers, French fries, etc. The fryer has a chart next to it with fry times for each product. They have timers and the machine automatically “dumps” the product when the time is done. It takes just a minute to learn “which buttons to press”. Both stands sell hot dogs, candy, snacks, and ice cream products as well. There are menus with prices at each stand.

Some general guidelines when volunteering at one of the concession stands:

1. Small children should not enter the stand. Parents generally have a good system in place to watch each other’s children while they volunteer. Older children may help in the stand as long as they are accompanied by a parent. No more than 5 people (3 adults – 2 older children) should be in the stand at the same time.
2. Everyone – even the president of MYB – pays full price for everything. We don’t offer freebies or discounts to volunteers, managers, board members, etc. Most of our customers are volunteers themselves. The only exception to this rule is that we provide free cold water to the umpires that are working the game.
3. Someone from the home team should be in the stand at least 15 min prior to the game. The home team covers the first three innings, the visiting team covers the last 3 innings.
4. After weeknight and Sat. night games the visiting team stays through shut down/clean-up.
5. Each stand has a hand washing station with soap and towels. Make certain to use them.
6. Please don’t leave the stand completely unattended.

Thank You for donating your time at the concession stand. Together as volunteers we all do the best we can to assist the program in serving the youth of Merrimack.