Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Mar 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the pitch/between inning clock in the outfield as Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier waits for the inning to start against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the pitch/between inning clock in the outfield as Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier waits for the inning to start against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Step 2: Join Professional Organizations

Gaining experience with a team is a great advantage if you can do it, but not everyone lives within driving distance of a pro baseball franchise – so Step 1 can be skipped. However, there are two specific professional organizations to join in hopes of landing a job in Minor League Baseball: PBEO and TeamWork Online, though today there are several other organizations that are also helpful.

PBEO is vital because the organization was established in 1994 as a direct link to all Major League-affiliated clubs. Front office executives in both the minor and Major Leagues post job openings to PBEO.com – everything from internships and entry-level opportunities to head groundskeeper, clubhouse and general manager positions. Job seekers can search by job type, state or browse all available listings, post a resume to the databank available to teams and apply for open positions.

Furthermore, PBEO holds a job fair each year at the Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar in September, and most importantly, at the Baseball Winter Meetings in December.

PRO TIP: If your ultimate goal is to work for a Major League Baseball franchise, and you think you’ll get experience in the minors before moving up – don’t. Start making connections at the big league level by working game days, attending social networking events held by a Major League team, or working towards a ground-level job in the ticket sales department. It’s certainly not impossible to jump from the minors to MLB, but there’s nothing that says you have to. 

As the baseball season comes to an end in September, teams beginning planning for the next season. The six months after the baseball season ends (September to February) is when the vast majority of movement takes place within MiLB front offices. Therefore, those months are the busiest time for teams looking to hire new employees, and the most important time for job seekers to keep their eyes glued to job postings on PBEO.

While PBEO is specifically tied to affiliated pro baseball, TeamWork Online lists openings for more than 800 sports organizations all across the country. The organization boasts that they are “the world’s largest mobile sports enthusiast and career network.” Job seekers can sign up to receive free listings at TeamWork Online, though both $5 per month and $49 per month options exist for those looking for greater access.

As for PBEO, members pay a $50 annual fee to gain access to job postings, though the cost rises for those planning to attend the Job Fair at the Winter Meetings, which costs an additional $200. It’s a small price to pay, especially if you don’t already have an “in” with a team. Of course, that’s why expanding your network is such a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to finding a job in baseball.

Next: Expand Your Network

Home/MLB