On a chilly Wednesday morning in midtown Manhattan, the MLB headquarters buzzed with vibrant energy. Unlike the usual silence in corporate elevators, there was a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation as individuals gathered in the Commissioner’s Office auditorium at 9 a.m. ET.
In honor of the 38th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, MLB organized its second annual networking event. About 70 participants were invited to engage with current MLB employees, executives, Major League clubs, and Minor League teams. The attendees were divided into three groups: current college softball or baseball athletes, current college softball or baseball coaches (or graduate assistants), and recent graduates who played either sport. The event aimed to showcase diverse career opportunities within the industry.
“You can clearly see it in all the women here today,” remarked Lauren Gardner, host of MLB Network’s “Off Base” and moderator of the event’s two panels. “They’ve all had unique and varied journeys to reach this point—something I can relate to in my own career. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s crucial to absorb everything and then choose the path that suits you best.”
The focus on the diverse opportunities available was clear from the start. Following an inspiring introduction by David James, Vice President of Baseball and Softball Development, stressing the significance of paving the way for others, and a call for representative role models from MLB softball ambassador Natasha Watley, attendees divided into breakout sessions for eight workshops led by current MLB employees.
In a fresh approach, the sessions covered a broad spectrum of the league’s areas of responsibility, including legal, global consumer products, human resources, gaming, global cultural/brand partnerships, front office and field staff diversity, Arizona Fall League development, and content. Participants completed a survey indicating their areas of interest, and were subsequently assigned to groups based on their preferences.
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