Offer: get paid to watch baseball

Passing along an email I received from Cory Schwartz from MLB Advanced Media (and yes legal types, he’s not only OK with passing it on, but emailed me just so it would get passed on):

MLB.com, the Official Site of Major League Baseball, is seeking stats stringers in these markets for the 2010 season:

· Boston

· Cincinnati

· Cleveland

· Detroit

· Miami

· Milwaukee

· Texas

Stats stringers are responsible for digitally scoring games from one of the 30 MLB ballparks, which provides the data used in the live content applications on MLB.com, including Gameday and MLB.TV, real-time highlights and text alerts, and by our business partners. This is a perfect part-time job for a diligent, responsible employee who happens to be a big baseball fan.

Responsibilities include:

* Arrive at the ballpark no later than one hour prior to the scheduled start time;
* Double-check and verify all pre-game information: rosters, umpires, weather conditions, etc.;
* During the game, enter the results of every pitch and game event (plays, substitutions, etc.) using our proprietary software and coding language;
* Work closely with our game-night support staff (via AOL Instant Messenger) to ensure proper scoring of all game events and accuracy of data;
* After the game, enter all post-game information: winning and losing pitcher, saves, holds, time and attendance
* Validate all stats in software box score against the official box score provided by the Official Scorer, and print out a final box score and game text for the club PR staff

Qualifications include:
* Previous experience (including pressbox exposure) with a professional or college sports team, preferably baseball;
* Exceptional (and demonstrable) knowledge of baseball and how to score a baseball game;
* Strong computer proficiency (Windows OS and Windows-based software) and the ability to quickly learn and operate new software;
* Regular availability to attend games in-person as required by the schedule: weekdays, nights and weekends;
* A “team player” with a great attitude, including but not limited to a willingness to make and learn from mistakes and the ability to work closely and cooperatively (and take direction from) our game-night staff;
* Professionalism. It’s a fun job and we pay people to watch baseball, but it’s also an important job and we want people who will take the responsibility seriously.

(New stringers undergo an 8-10 week correspondence training program, and co-score several practice games in the ballpark with a returning stringer, before scoring any games solo in the ballpark.)

Those interested in applying should send a resume and cover later, addressing the above-listed qualifications, to

ONLY those who reply to this e-mail address will be considered, and due to volume, we may be unable to respond to all applicants.


11 Comments
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Chris J.
14 years ago

Just to note/clarify, though Corey is with MLB AM, the job is with MLB.com.  To be honest, I’m not sure what the difference is.

Nick Steiner
14 years ago

Remember folks, YOU can improve the accuracy of tRA by doing a great job as a stringer.  Get on it!

kardo
14 years ago

It looked quite interesting until they required me to use AOL IM.

Also living in the netherlands might pose a problem. They aren’t looking for anyone in the Amsterdam, Hoofddorp or Haarlem markets right? Because I could do that.

kevin
14 years ago

there isnt a difference Chris MLBAM is MLB.com and MiLB.com. Its just once of its many wings

Cory Schwartz
14 years ago

Thanks Chris for posting this!

FYI, MLBAM is the company that runs MLB.com plus some other web sites… the two terms are used interchangably even around here.

Also, to Mike’s question, we typically employ 2-3 stringers per market who score 25-40 games each, whatever it takes to ensure 100% coverage of all home games. We do arrange credentials, access, etc.

Thanks,
Cory Schwartz
MLB.com (or MLBAM if you prefer)

Gary
14 years ago

Do they have stat stringers for the minor leagues?  I’d love to do this job for the High Desert Mavericks.

Mike
14 years ago

This sounds great.  I go to about 20 games a year anyway, but I’m almost 60yo and can’t make it to nearly all the home games.  How many do you have to score?

I assume you have some sort of pass for entry into the game (is that a safe assumption?), but where do you sit? Stands? Press Box? And is parking covered?

Cory Schwartz
14 years ago

Gary, we have stringers in the press box for all of Triple-A, plus the Double-A Southern and Texas Leagues, but we’re not down to A-ball yet. Sorry.

Dave I
14 years ago

If you decide to include the AA Eastern League, I’d love to do this for Akron Aeros games.

Charles Meshell
9 years ago

Is position still available in Texas Area to observe MLB Games and records stats?

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