By Roderick Mitchell

The Selma Times-Journal

 

For those hundreds of visitors, fans, players and coaches who come to the Dallas County Sportsplex through the spring and summer, they are often hit with the need for a quick drink, snack or at the very least, cheese fries.

And while the athletes on the field are putting forth their best effort, some of the hardest work at the Sportsplex is being completed within the walls and windows of the park’s concession stand.

One of those preparing the quick snacks and treats is Orpha Clark

“It’s the people. I just really enjoy all of the people,” Clarks said, who also has worked the past two years at Clark Elementary School in the school’s cafeteria. “They both are dealing with the children, so I like them both.”

During the time when both school and the youth sports seasons are in action at the same time, her day starts early and ends late.

“At the ball park, we start serving around 5:30 p.m. and we close at 9 p.m.,” Clark said. “It really depends oh how many games are going on.”

Clark said her work at the ballpark is about eight weeks long, but this year she’s taking a week off to visit her granddaughter in Florida.

With Clark in the concession stand, she does not usually get a chance to watch the children play, except for the few minutes she’s able to step out of the concession stand for a quick breather.

“I have some friends who have children out here and I would on occasion walk out and look,” she said.

Between her two jobs — both of which she loves — Clark said the ballpark at times is harder.

“Because if we run out of fries or something else, we have all these people waiting,” she said. “That’s not a problem at the school, dealing with children.”