ARLINGTON, Texas — He never played baseball in high school or college. He’s certainly not playing baseball in the minor or major leagues.

But 2003 Butler graduate Ryan Straney is very much involved in the professional side of the game.

Straney recently completed his second season as clubhouse manager, equipment manager and traveling secretary for the Down East Wood Ducks, the Texas Rangers’ Class A affiliate in Kinston , N.C.

The Wood Ducks’ season — a successful one — ended recently with a Carolina League championship series loss to the Charleston River Dogs, a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate. But Straney’s work continues.

“I’m basically the property of the Texas Rangers,” he said. “Wherever they want me to go, that’s where I go.”

Right now, the Rangers have Straney overseeing their taxi squad, a group of 10 players traveling with the team in the postseason. The taxi squad exists in case a player on the regular roster gets injured and a replacement is needed.

“I’ve watched these guys work out on ballfields near our stadium, as well as in our stadium,” Straney said. “One of the perks of my job right now is I get to stay and watch all of the Rangers’ postseason games played at home.”

It’s safe to say Straney earned that perk.

During the Wood Ducks’ 140-game regular season, his working day begins at 8 a.m. and doesn’t end until 1:30 a.m. the following morning. Besides managing the clubhouse, he does the team’s laundry each day. He coordinates all of the baseball equipment, including transporting it from venue to venue. He coordinates the team’s bus trips as well.

Basically, he’s a one-man staff.

“The Carolina League isn’t bad that way,” Straney said of the travel. “Our longest road trip is six hours. It’s hard work and long hours, but how many people can say their office is in a ballpark? I absolutely love it and I love this level of baseball.”

A few of the players he’s worked with over the years have since made the major leagues, including long-time big leaguers Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story.

“It’s cool thinking I played a small part in their careers,” Straney said.

Straney played basketball at Butler High School before moving on to California (Pa.) University, where he majored in sports management and served as equipment manager for some Vulcan athletic teams.

“I always knew I wanted to work in sports,” he said.

A few years after graduating from college, Straney drove to MLB’s Winter Meetings in Florida. Baseball has a huge job fair during those meetings and he was hoping to catch on with somebody.

He wound up taking a job with the Asheville Tourists, a Class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, and stayed there for 10 years. He eventually took a job with the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League in 2019.

“It was a promotion, so I jumped on it,” Straney said. “Then COVID hit, we were all laid off and I was out of a job.”

He returned to Butler and was a Uber driver for a while before getting the call from the Texas Rangers.

“i reported to their spring training facility in Surprise, Ariz., and was assigned to Kinston,” Straney said. “I start off every season at spring training and go from there. I love working for the Rangers and wouldn’t mind keeping this job for a long time.

“Grainger Stadium (home of the Wood Ducks) seats 3,500 and has been around since 1939. There’s a lot of history here.”

Carlos Maldonado, briefly a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates during his playing career, is manager of the Wood Ducks.

In minor league baseball, of course, players come and go at a frequent rate. One of Straney’s jobs is sometimes telling a player he’s been released or traded.

“It’s part of the job,” he said. “When it happens, there’s always a somber moment in the clubhouse. That part of the job is difficult.

“I grew up a Pirates fan and I’m still a Pirates fan. But my allegiance is to the Texas Rangers. They’ve been good to me and I feel like I’ve done good for them. Hopefully, this playoff run will go on for a while.”