The women who keep the Rays patched up

St. Petersburg, Florida - Torn hems, ripped pants, and holes in jerseys are all signs of just how hard the Tampa Bay Rays play each game. The Rays' seamstresses say it's a sign of how many hits they've had or how many bases they've run and stolen.

Diane Ellerman says the outfielders are hardest on their clothes, "My worst one this year is Bartlett. He's very hard, because he plays very aggressive. That includes Crawford, Upton and Pena all of them."

Linda McRae appeals to the players' superstitious side. She says Carl Crawford has one, "They feel like they won in these pants, so they want to wear the same pants all the time."

The women also patch up the visiting team's uniforms such as the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees and now the Philadelphia Phillies. "Sometimes, you want to snip a little hole somewhere," she says with a laugh.

Diane says the uniforms that the hardest to fix is David Ortiz with the Red Sox, "My biggest challenge is Big Papi. He's got some big pants."

Hours spent sewing after each game is worth it. Since Monday, the women have sewn about 300 World Series Patch on the right sleeve of each jersey. Each player will receive a souvenir jersey. "They've tried very hard so many years and finally coming together in the way Coach Maddon brought them together as a team," says Linda.

Diane says part of the team's success is they're family, "They're all best friends. They get along so good you can see it."

Diane and Linda say they watch each a game a little differently than most fans. "We see the flaws in the uniforms while watching the game. We see the patches. Nobody sees them."

Linda sees how much work there's to sew the next day, "When you watch the game you watch every tear. They slide and they get up and you say, 'Oh no.' You've fixed the big rip in the back and patched it so many times then in the middle of the game, 'Oh no look at that. The whole thing is coming off.' You know you have a lot to do the next day."

Diane says she feels like 'Team Mom' and is there for players win or lose. "I know when they're hurting and don't do well, I feel so bad for them," says Diane. "I think moms know those feelings a lot don't have moms here in the area with them. I think you love them like they're your own kids and they're such nice kids."

When the Rays take to the field, both women will make sure they look as good as they play.