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5-Step guide to getting a job in pro baseball

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 17, 2015; Frisco, Tx, USA; A general view of Dr. Pepper Ballpark during the game between the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Frisco RoughRiders. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2015; Frisco, Tx, USA; A general view of Dr. Pepper Ballpark during the game between the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Frisco RoughRiders. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; A vendor sells lemonade during a spring training baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; A vendor sells lemonade during a spring training baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Step 1: Work Game Days

Believe it or not, getting a job in baseball is easy.

The easiest jobs to land in sports are game day staff positions, like ushers, ticket takers, concessions staffers, maintenance and cleaning, or grounds keeping personnel. If you are lucky enough to live in a city that has a pro sports franchise, of the best ways to eventually land a full-time job in professional baseball is to work for the local team part-time – and teams are always looking for new recruits. The average Triple-A franchise hires approximately 300 game day workers per season. Even short-season teams in MiLB’s smallest markets will bring in 50 or more part-time workers.

Joining the game day staff will provide many benefits, including experience and knowledge of the day-to-day aspects of working in sports, and making connections. They certainly aren’t glamorous positions, but working for a team on game days is a great way to learn the everyday operations of running a club while also getting to know the full-time staff and decision makers within the organization.

Examples of Game Day Staff Opportunities:

  • Mascot
  • Picnics
  • Beer Stand
  • Usher
  • Clean-Up Crew
  • Ticket Office
  • Concessions
  • Grounds Crew
  • Press Box
  • Scoreboard
  • Sound/Video
  • Hawker/Vendor
  • Ticket Taker
  • Parking Lot Attendant
  • Merchandise Sales/Souvenir Shop
  • Promo Team
  • Batboy
  • Clubhouse Attendant
  • Security
  • Medic
  • Outside Events, such as Concerts
  • Restaurant Services
  • Kids Zone
  • Kid’s Club Events/Birthdays
  • Suite Staff

During my time in Helena there was a local high school student that had worked for the club for several years, beginning as a bat boy and clubhouse attendant before eventually moving into the press box to handle the in-game music and sound duties. Once he graduated, he moved to the promo team, holding contests on the field between innings, and even helped out occasionally on the grounds crew.

Before he had even left for college, he possessed more experience working for a professional baseball club than most interns get in their first summer on the job. And, when summer rolled around following his freshman year, the team happily hired him as an intern. If this young man decides he wants a career in professional baseball once he graduates from college (or even before, if he were so inclined), he could take his pick of many opportunities.

Of course, working for a club on game days isn’t absolutely necessary to get a job in baseball. Since the minor league season has just ended, there won’t be any positions available until the spring anyway. If you want to secure your place in the front office before first pitch next year, skip ahead to Step 2.

Next: Join Professional Organizations

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