Florida Atlantic University student intern enjoys working FSL games at Roger Dean Stadium

JUPITER — It was just another night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium last Thursday when the Florida State League’s Jupiter Hammerheads hosted Clearwater.

But it is always a special night at the ballpark for Zachary Hoffman, a Florida Atlantic University student intern who works for the stadium’s game operations.

“I love it here,’’’ Hoffman said. “It’s like my second home because I spend so much time here.’’

A graduate of Jupiter Christian, Hoffman, who turns 20 on Tuesday, has a love of baseball. It’s his job to enhance the fan experience for those who may not adore the national pastime as much as he does.

The Hammerheads, the Miami Marlins’ Single A affiliate, and co-tenant Palm Beach Cardinals reserve two days – Tuesdays and Sundays - where fans are not permitted into the ballpark. The games are played before scouts and family members.

Hoffman enjoys his job more when it is a fan-filled night.

Hoffman is in control of the stadium’s music played between innings. And on those Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday games when the stadium hosts patrons, the 6-foot-3 Hoffman will spend time on top of the dugout with a video camera. Hoffman captures on camera theatrical moments in the stands that flash onto the scoreboard.

“You know who wants to be on camera,’’’ Hoffman said. “They start getting excited when I’m on top of the dugout.’’

Hoffmann is on the autism spectrum, enrolled in FAU’s Academy for Community Inclusion (ACI). He took four classes this past semester, including Career Exploration and Social Skills. Out of the classroom, working music at the ballpark, is where Hoffman is happiest.

“Zach has been a such a joy to add to our team,’’ said Roger Dean’s marketing director Ryer Gardenswarz, who is Hoffman’s supervisor. “His contagious smile, daily fun facts and love for the game of baseball are truly one-of-a-kind. It’s been awesome to see him grow and become more confident in himself and his skills since starting here.’’

Hoffman is also assigned odd jobs at the stadium, helping in the team store when it is overcrowded. He’s filled in as a bat boy during spring-training games. (The Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals have their spring camps in Jupiter).

“I quit that,’’ Hoffman said. “It was just too hot. I like doing the music the best.’’

Hoffman in charge of music between innings at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium

Hoffman has free musical reign between innings, but the walkup music for each Hammerhead and Cardinal is preplanned by the players.

Hoffman’s favorite two player songs are the ones chosen by Brock Vradenburg (Soul For Real's "Candy Rain") and Ryan Ignoffo (Tai Verdes' "AOK").

Hoffman’s top ballpark tunes he enjoys playing are “Feel This Moment,” “Let’s Go” and “Blinding Lights.”

“They let me play whichever ones I want,’’ Hoffman said. “I pick upbeat songs that are good for baseball.’’

Hoffman reports to the park by 5 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch and usually doesn’t get home until 9:30 p.m.

“Being at Roger Dean had a positive impact on Zach,’’ said Stefanie Kenney, an employee specialist for FAU’s ACI program. “If you observe Zach while working, you see how excited he is and how much love he has for what he does.

“He has also had the opportunity to interact with his co-workers and patrons, which greatly impacted his social life. Zach has been open to trying out different positions at Roger Dean, which helped him step out of his comfort zone. This not only expanded Zach’s skill set but also his perspective on his career path.’’

Even if Hoffman wasn’t employed here, he’d be at the Jupiter ballpark aplenty. As a Jupiter resident, he frequents a host of spring training contests and scores the game on his Kindle.

Favorite Cardinals: Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Masyn Winn.

No surprise, he’s become a staunch Cardinals and Marlins fan. His favorite Cardinals’ players are Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Masyn Winn.

Wearing his teal Hammerheads jersey on Thursday, Hoffman admits it’s been more challenging following the Marlins this season because of a cable dispute that has their games removed from his cable system.

Hence, Hoffman has gone to more games than usual this season at LoanDepot park – four. His favorite player is Jazz Chisolm, titillated by his speed. Hoffman owns two Marlins jerseys – one in the red “Connect" jersey, the other white with teal lettering.

“I can’t watch the Marlins because they’re blacked out,’’ Hoffman said. “I was not happy. But I like the (Miami) stadium because it’s air-conditioned."

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Hoffman also has travelled to three other major-league parks – Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards and Citizen Bank Park in Philadelphia. He said the best vibe of the three was Citizen Bank Park – loving the way the stadium’s faux Liberty Bell shakes and rings after a home run.

Hoffman also enjoyed Yankee Stadium, partly because of Monument Park past the outfield in which fans can walk past plaques of all the legendary Yankees such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio.

Roger Dean Stadium isn’t the first time Hoffman has worked at a baseball field. Hoffman was in charge of the scoreboard during Jupiter Christian games. But this is a lot better.

”We’re lucky that he thinks of the ballpark as his second home,’’ Gardenswartz said.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida State League games help Florida Atlantic student intern with autism