It's Your Summer
Shane
Experience Information
Employer: West Michigan Whitecaps
Job Title: Grounds Crew
Major: Sport Management
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
The West Michigan Whitecaps is a great organization with a great organizational structure and culture. They have about 20-30 front office staff who oversees hundreds employees. They do a great job of providing minor league baseball to Grand Rapids.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
At the Whitecaps, I would help set up batting practice by placing screens and skirts to protect the field and players. Then I would smooth out the warning track before the game to make it a level playing field and I would also put in the bases for the game. There are 7-8 of us and we all had our specific job to make sure the game started on time. After the game, my job was to fix and prepare the mound for the game for the following day.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
The specific skill I learned was the art of fixing the pitchers mound. I had to sweep of the turface on the mound before adding more clay. Once the clay was added I had to use a tamp to even out the clay before I smoothed it over. It sounds like a simple task but it can be easily messed up.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of the experience was working with the group of guys that we had at the ballpark. They made it where I wanted to go to work everyday.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This influenced my future goals because I see the hard work it takes to be successful as a sport manager.
Internship Format
In Person