The Rangers have an extra man in uniform for this road trip, and he couldn’t be happier.

Mansfield baseball coach Gary Vaughan, who throws batting practice during Rangers home games, is experiencing his first road trip with the team.

"This is great," said Vaughan, who has worked with the Rangers for six years. "I’m having a blast. This is different than the normal road trips I’m used to being on."

Instead of games in exotic locales like Burleson and Weatherford, Vaughan is getting to see Minnesota, Chicago and Oakland.

Vaughan was told by hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo four or five days before the trip that his services would be needed. Bench coach Art Howe has been bothered by a bad back, so Vaughan is filling in.

The left-hander, who has coached at Mansfield for 10 years, is taking full advantage of the opportunity.

"You’re going in different stadiums and seeing different clubhouses," said Vaughan, who has been the Mansfield coach for four years. "You get to see how these guys get to adjust to their routine. There’s a lot of down time and then getting to the park is the most exciting part."

— Anthony Andro