How to Write a Letter of Interest for a Baseball Job

An introductory letter is designed to help a job seeker express interest in a specific position or working for a specific organization. Such a letter to a baseball team is an opportunity to get the team interested in you. The letter should be engaging for the baseball team: it should discuss why you want to work for their organization, describe your skills and talents, offer a summary of your experiences, and indicate why they should consider you for the position. It should catch the team's attention and make them want to call you to schedule an interview.

Things You'll Need

  • Internet access
  • Pen and paper or word processing program
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Instructions

  1. Prospecting for a Position

    • 1

      Network and make contacts. Attend seminars, trainings, workshops, and other team sponsored events to meet baseball personnel. Join online professional networking sites. Get to know about the people in the industry and make professional connections. Knowing who to contact and getting that individual interested in what you bring to the position will help to get your resume reviewed.

    • 2

      Apply with Professional Baseball Employment Opportunities (PBEO.com), if interested in working for a Minor League team. Minor League teams offer the most opportunity to get into the baseball industry because there are more than 240 teams nationally. For a $50 membership fee, members are part of an applicant database for Minor League opportunities, are invited to special job fairs, and have special, invitation-only networking opportunities.

    • 3

      Determine the hiring manager or the proper contact for the position in which you are interested. Visit the team's website to confirm the proper chain of command. Use this information to address your letter so it reaches the correct decision-maker. If the information cannot be determined from the website, through Web research, or through previous networking, direct the letter to the team's Human Resources Department.

    • 4

      Look into ticket sales if you have any customer service experience or are looking for an entry-level position. In "Break into Sports Through Ticket Sales," Mark Washo suggests, "Ticket sales still provides the best opportunity to break into sports. If you are applying for a sales position, you should clearly state you are pursuing sales opportunities on your resume and cover letter." (Washo, 2004).

    • 5

      Spend time reviewing the team's website and learning about the organization and team values. Use this information to tailor your letter. Think about how you can help further the team's current initiatives. Determine how your skills and experience can help add value to the organization, then use the letter to sell yourself to the team based on your best attributes.

    • 6

      Write the letter using a formal business style. Use a standard font such as Arial or Times New Roman 12 point, with block paragraphs, and align text to the left. The letter should be less than one page, front-side only. Create a header with your name, address, contact phone number and a professional-looking contact email address. Use business letter etiquette for including the date and the information regarding who the letter is being sent to, his title, and the team name and mailing address.

    • 7

      Address the letter to the hiring decision-maker or manager. This will make your letter seem personal and show your knowledge of their organizational structure. Using a generic address such as "Dear Sir or Madame," or "Dear Hiring Manager," is impersonal and does not show initiative. For example, when applying for a ticket sales position, contact the sales director or marketing director, depending on the team.

    • 8

      Use the first paragraph to express your interest in a specific position with the team, and use the team's name to make the letter more personal. This paragraph should be an engaging summary of the entire letter, to encourage the reader to read more. It should briefly discuss why you are interested in working for this team and act as a quick reference to what you can bring to the organization. For example, if applying for an account executive position, highlight your sales skills and your understanding of the game of baseball.

    • 9

      Discuss yourself in the second paragraph: your education, work history, skills and talents, and what sets you apart from others. Using the information from the team's website, give examples of values you share with the team, projects you have worked on, and training you have participated in which will translate to this position. Also include pertinent information about your love of the "Great American Pastime," such as coaching Little League or playing college ball. Omit information about playing in fantasy baseball league, unless your ability to memorize stats will help in your future endeavors.

    • 10

      Summarize your skills and potential in the last paragraph and emphasize how your strengths will help the organization. Express your gratitude for the team's time to review your letter and resume. Thank them for being considered for the team's position. Close the letter by letting the team know you look forward to the opportunity to speak with them further about your qualifications and the position.

    • 11

      End the letter with an appropriate valediction such as "sincerely" or "best regards." Leave space between your valediction and your typed full name for your handwritten signature.