Friday, March 27, 2009

Find a Job in Minor League Baseball

A job in minor league baseball is the dream of many fans. Making the dream a reality takes dedication and determination. The ultimate goal of any minor league baseball team is to win the game. Coaches look for players who play well at bat and in the field. Owners look for coaches who will lead the team to victory. General Managers look for dedicated employees who will support the team and at the same time keep it financially successful. The goal of winning can only be met if all of these groups work together. The internet hosts a wealth of information that is vital to individuals looking for positions in the field of minor league baseball. Love of the game is not enough for this competitive and growing industry. Education, communication skills, organizational abilities, attention to detail, people management, computer knowledge and leadership are key to individuals seeking employment in minor league baseball.

1. It is usually recommended that individuals obtain a degree in Business, Sport Management, Accounting or Marketing. Employers are looking for knowledgeable individuals who are able to interact with people of all educational backgrounds.

2. Communication skills are essential to the success of the organization as a whole. It is vital that the individuals be able to establish effective working relationships with many different people. In minor league baseball, relationships must be maintained with those on the field and those in the stands.

3. Organizational abilities help to eliminate stress, chaos and confusion. They allow individuals to see the whole picture and make it better. During baseball games, there are certain times that are more stressful than others. A plan must be put in place to handle these situations in the most effective way possible.

4. In order for a team to be financially successful, tickets must be sold to the games. Attention to detail ascertains that the fans will want to keep coming back. From on-field entertainment to clean restrooms, every detail must be handled.

5. People management skills must be learned and developed in order to manage and supervise others. The success of the team is the goal of all employees.

6. In today's world, computer skills are a must for all individuals in this field. Basic knowledge should include Microsoft Office, as well as other applications that help to make the work load easier.

7. Leadership is a critical management skill that is used to motivate people. Leaders must be able to effect positive change on both operations and employees to ensure the success of the minor league team.

Find a Job in Major League Baseball - 7 Skills That Are Needed to Work in Sports

Looking to break into a career in Major League Baseball? Jobs in professional sports have become very competitive and limited, and Major League Baseball is no exception. Here are the top seven skills you must possess in order to work in Major League Baseball:

1. Communication Skills

Good communication skills are the most important and effective way to score a job in Major League Baseball. Verbal and written communication will play a massive role in your career. The way you speak, write, and listen are all observed by employers, and should be your best asset.

2. Organization Skills

Organization skills are a fundamental to life. A career in the MLB may be fast-paced, therefore this is very important because it deals with your ability to design, plan, organize, and implement projects and tasks within an allotted time frame. You may be on the road, and must be able to keep and follow a schedule without someone telling you to do so.

3. Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are very significant in working in Major League Baseball. This is how people relate to one another. Interpersonal skills are often used in business context to refer to the measure of a person's ability to operate within business organizations, through social communication, and interactions. The ability to relate to your co-workers, inspire others to participate, and mitigate conflict with co-workers is essential given the amount of time spent at work each day.

4. Professionalism

Many people think that working in Major League Baseball will be all fun and games. This however, is not the case. Major League Baseball, the teams, and venues are very serious about their organization. They expect their employees to be completely professional and serious. Remember that you are an employee first, fan second.

5. "Team Player"

Working in the MLB can get very busy, especially in season. There will be occasions when you will be asked to complete jobs or tasks outside of your specific area. A "Team Player" has a positive attitude, and is willing to work in all areas to benefit the whole team. A "Team Player" also has the willingness to make and learn from mistakes, and take direction from the staff.

6. Knowledge of Baseball

Having a strong knowledge and passion for baseball can be very critical in obtaining a career in the MLB. Depending on what area you are trying to specialize in, having solid knowledge of the game can be very important. You must understand the game and how it is played in order to be successful. Major League Baseball has the longest running regular season at 162 games. This means; if you are required to show up at every home game, you will be at the ball park over 80 times. If you are not passionate about baseball, you might not make it.

7. Willingness to Travel

Lastly, but certainly not least, is your willingness and enthusiasm to travel. Because there are so many games and teams all over the country, you may be required to travel. The ability and interest to travel is what will set you apart from the other candidates that can only remain locally. You will receive many more opportunities if you have the willingness and enthusiasm to travel.

Obtaining a career in Major League Baseball may be very challenging. However, if you can master these top seven skills that Major League Baseball is looking for, you should be well on your way to having a career in the MLB.

What is the Best Baseball Fundraising Idea?

Besides the obvious things like bats, gloves, bases, and baseballs, there is one thing that all baseball teams hold in common and that is that they all do fundraisers. They can raise money for all kinds of reasons ranging from paying for end of year banquets to buying new uniforms and often times to help pay for travel expenses for competitions. But, whatever the reason for doing the fundraiser, a baseball team needs find a fundraiser that can raise a lot of money and that is where baseball team fundraising ideas come into play.

For a very, very long time food fundraisers have dominated when it comes to athletic team fundraisers. Who could resist buying a tub of delicious cookie dough or a candy bar from a young athlete selling for the betterment of his team? Well nowadays people are more health conscious and so are the baseball leagues. So much so that in some cases unhealthy fundraisers have been banned entirely.

The other issue with hosting a food fundraiser, or any traditional fundraiser for that matter, is that every other baseball team is likely to be doing the same fundraiser or a similar one. Think about it, the last time your baseball team was fundraising how many other teams were selling nearly identical products? Chances are that this is the case every year. But, what would happen if you found a fundraiser that offered new products or something different? Do you think it would help sales? I sure do.

How to Buy Youth Baseball Cleats

You may be thinking that the more expensive or better cleats won't make a difference at all to your kid's game, your wrong. Cleats can help your child grip better to the baseball surface. Cleats can also make your children more comfortable whilst walking in cleats if they are  good quality, which you want to have. Cleats can also make your children have the extra advantage to steal the  next base if there light, comfortable and easy to walk in. 

Prices

Of course there is also a budget in mind when you're buying cleats, after all youth baseball is just a game, and you don't want to break the bank just to get a cleat that's a tiny bit better than the one that's a lot cheaper. A good guide to go with is to buy the mid range price cleats; they will be of good quality, and you won't necessarily break your bank for your child. The cheap cleats are not a good choice either as they may be cheaper, but in the long run they probably won't last as long, and they are not made with as good quality as the more expensive ones which are also generally more comfy. Expensive cleats are not the way to go either as they are only marginally better than the mid range ones. It's hard to justify $100+ youth baseball cleats when you're buying your child top of the line cleats, as their feet also grow fast, and in 1-2 years you're going to need to buy another pair.

Conclusion

In the end, buying those professional cleats will marginally  improve your child's game. Money could be  better spent  on training or camps, to see if your child has the passion for baseball first.   Buying the lower range cleats will also do no favor, as they can be cheaply made, and not comfortable for your kid, which may turn your child off, or not realize his/her full potential. When thinking about buying baseball cleats next, buy ones that your child likes, in the middle price range.

Youth baseball cleats and other related youth baseball information at Youth Baseball Parks Lawrence Peter is published author and passionate fan of baseball