MORE ON THE HEAVY HITTERS

1. It all began in 2004.“Five gentlemen from Clark Atlanta (University) would come and perform outside of home games,” said squad captain Anthony Aiken. “Braves (personnel) came out and saw what the fun was all about” and soon the official drum line was born.

2. Typically, 10 work each home game, arriving 3 ½ hours before game time and working through the seventh inning. On weekends, they perform post-game as well. This year’s group ranges in age from 18 to their 40s.

3. They’re paid, but the Braves won’t say how much. Many of the Hitters have other jobs — their ranks have included church musicians, client support specialists, teachers, even a firefighter, said Aiken. At least one of the Hitters appeared in “Drumline.”

4. Tri-Cities High School in East Point is Heavy Hitter Heaven. At least 17 Tri-Citiers have been on the squad. Says Aiken (a graduate of you-know where): “At one time when the line was 25 people, it was 13 of us” who’d gone to Tri-Cities.

5. Every new member is given a nickname. Some years, there’s a theme — recently, it was the movie “Sandlot. ”A couple of years ago, a guy who worked in merchandising for the Braves made the line and was dubbed — what else? —“Merch.” This year’s theme? “Cartoons,” Braves Entertainment Manager Geoffrey Schmidt chuckled. “All are named for cartoon characters.”