Only On The Web: Katie Couric introduces Steve Hartman’s interview with Zack Hample, who has snagged nearly 3000 baseballs at major league games, then files her daily notebook.
June 29th, 2010
June 11th, 2010
If you have always loved professional baseball, then it is possible for you to become involved with the industry in one way or another. One avenue to pursue is employment with a team or league in the independent baseball league section of the pro baseball industry. Independent baseball leagues and teams are not affiliated with any specific Major League Baseball organization, and their ultimate goal is to become a profitable enterprise. Front office and league personnel have more flexibility in hiring people to help them reach that aim.
The question then becomes, “In what other way can I work in the professional baseball industry without being a player, manager, coach, or owner?” Here are several starting points, each with a short description to help you better understand what is available to you:
League-level: It is possible for you to work with an independent baseball league at the league office level. Skills here include media relations, strategic planning, marketing, attracting major sponsors for league-wide exposure, and other similar duties. Entry-level (team): Many independent baseball teams need help with game-day operations, ticket sales, community relations, and many other tasks to entice local organizations and individuals to spend money with the team. You will need interpersonal, computer, phone, and event-planning skills. In addition, the hours may be long and some physical effort will be required, especially if you work on game-day operations. Specialty skills: You can join an independent baseball team with a number of specialty skills. These could include online radio broadcasting, public address announcing, statistician, dealing with local and regional sports media, promotions development and implementation, online marketing, grounds keeping, stadium management, concessions skills, and merchandise/inventory management. Even higher-level specialty skills include stadium design, graphic design for logos and sponsorship obligations, game scheduling, and raising capital for teams. Management (team): You will need to be able to manage employees, interns, and have a good ability to deal with other executives, team owners, and the league executives. You also will be working long hours overseeing items dealing with concessions, merchandise, stadium operations, stadium construction/renovation, speaking at the local service organizations, dealing with player contracts, and many other tasks. You should have the ability to run a small/medium business, including accounting/payroll understanding, budgeting, networking, and many other senior-level tasks.
With over 50 independent baseball teams scheduled to play in 2010, there are several opportunities to join this industry. Remember that your love for the game has to be tempered with the understanding that the team owner, league president, and general manager all want to turn a profit while maintaining a high standard of excellence in the local market. If you are willing to do what you can to offer professional quality while focusing on making a profit and obtaining new fans then you have the first step needed to join independent professional baseball.
May 20th, 2010
If you have heard about the professional independent minor league baseball teams and leagues, sometimes called the “indy leagues”, then you may have wondered why you should pay attention to them. Since the leagues are not affiliated with the Minor League Baseball teams, many people dismiss these leagues and teams without much thought.
Here are four reasons why you should pay attention to independent baseball:
First, independent baseball virtually guarantees that fans get something which they claim to want for a long time: seeing professional athletes who make less than the fans do! The players rarely receive any money during the off-season, and most have to work jobs from September through April in order to have the ability to play during the summer. Many people do not know this, but a Major League superstar making $20 million a year oftentimes makes more per game than the entire season’s player payroll of an independent baseball team!
Since many players in independent baseball get signed to contracts with affiliated Minor League teams, the perceived discrepancy in talent is not as wide as many may think. This means that fans get to see quality professional baseball at a great price and have the opportunity to cheer for the underdog player who may have been overlooked. Over 30 players who have MLB experience started their pro careers in the independent leagues, having never been signed to a Minor League contract before throwing their first professional pitch or at bat. Kevin Millar and Chris Coste are just two examples of players whose careers started in the independent leagues.
Second, you may want to consider following independent baseball because you get to see players who truly play for the love of the game. An “insider’s secret” about professional baseball is that there are many guys sitting at home who, after a few weeks of getting in shape, could play in the independent leagues. Whether the guys are beginning careers, families, have legal concerns, nagging injuries, or simply didn’t have the funds to travel to several tryouts, they are not in uniform for one reason or another. Many times, however, a player will not play because he believes – oftentimes incorrectly – that he is “worth more money” than what an independent team is paying.
This means that fans get to see players who genuinely care about playing baseball regardless of the financial situation. The other benefit is that many independent leagues, depending on your geography, often offer a caliber of play which is superior to a lower-level affiliated team. This claim is justified by looking at the rosters of several independent baseball teams which have lots of former Major Leaguers and Triple-A players. Odds are that they would beat many “rookie” teams and other lower-level teams simply due to their physical maturity and level of professional playing experience. Again, this means that fans get terrific baseball at a great price.
Finally, consider following independent baseball because you get to see former Major Leaguers who are managing these teams. During the 2009 season there were at least 20 independent baseball team managers and coaches with Major League playing experience. Many of these managers sign autographs, share stories with fans at games, and pass along some tremendous knowledge to their players. Their experience lends credibility to the independent baseball industry and gives the fans reassurance that they are watching quality baseball.
The next time you read a story about an independent baseball team hopefully you will have a greater appreciation for the players and managers. Should you have the opportunity to attend an independent league game then be sure to enjoy your time at the game and remember that you will be seeing some terrific baseball.
February 8th, 2008
The Central Iowa Hybrids, Iowa Wind Turbines, and Des Moines Hydrogen have joined the Iowa Basketball Exposure League for the late spring 2010 season. Each team will play home games at Des Moines Christian School in Urbandale, Iowa. Regular season games tipoff late May and will be played Saturday evenings.
The mission of the IBEL is to develop talent with ties to the state of Iowa and promote physical fitness in the community. Central Iowa has a rich history of high school, college, and professional basketball. Drake University, Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa all have excellent basketball programs. Indian Hills Junior College in Ottumwa has one of the best JUCO programs in the nation. Several athletes from those institutions of higher education have continued their careers in the NBA, NBDL, and overseas. The Des Moines metropolitan area is home to Drake University, Grand View University, and Simpson College.
IBEL sanctioned tryouts are scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2009 in Des Moines, Iowa. Tryout costs are $30 in advance and forms are available at IBELHoops.com. All IBEL games will be videotaped and made available online for agents, scouts, general managers, and fans. Players, coaches, and game day staff will be paid. However, the primary reason to join the IBEL is for exposure.
IBEL games are held on weekends and practices at night so players and staff can continue with their career or education. The IBEL’s mission is to develop local talent for the NBDL and overseas.
The IBEL in coordination with International Consultant Mr. Joe Wright plan to assemble a traveling team to compete against Mexico’s LNBP. The goal for IBEL and MBEL players is to be signed by an LNBP team for the winter season. The IBEL also plans to send top talent to LNBP tryout camps after the season. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico (U.S.A. territory), Uruguay, and Venezuela have professional basketball leagues.
Additionally, the IBEL is a tool that international players can use to land a D-League contract in their quest to make the NBA.
The IBEL plans to help players succeed at the EuroBasket Summer League, NBDL tryouts, PBL National Tryout Combine, ABA tryouts, and tryouts for overseas clubs.
Mexico’s professional league (LNBP) offers the opportunity for top IBEL players to participate in LNBP preseason games which can lead to a contract. Import rookie salaries start at $4500 a month and seasoned veterans might expect to earn $10,000-$12,000 USD per month.