Touring The Bases With…Courtney White

Courtney White is the Group Sales Account Executive for the Oklahoma City RedHawks located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  They have been an affiliate of the Texas Rangers since 1983 and are in the Pacific Coast League.

Their website is: www.oklahomaredhawks.com

SEAMHEADS: What does your job consist of?  What are your responsibilities?

COURTNEY WHITE: Currently, I am a group sales representative for the Oklahoma City RedHawks. From church and business outings to our annual over night with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, I schedule, organize and execute the needed jobs to make sure my group has a memorable night at the ballpark. I’ve only got one night to impress them, so every detail counts.

Any group of more than 25 people, they will most likely go through my department and me.

I also am in charge of scheduling the annual Scouts in the Outfield for both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. This requires two nights during the season in which a brave coworker and I sleep in one of our suites. We actually don’t sleep much as we are constantly watching all of the little Scouts on the field. The group sales department is also in charge of scheduling schools to come visit the ballpark on one of our Field Trip Days. We provide each student, teacher, and parent a meal with his or her paid admission.

My department also books groups for our luxury suites. During the game, groups with picnics or suites can expect to see us several times once the gates open. If the group needs anything, it’s our job to get it to them in a timely fashion.

It is my job to make sure that one night is a memorable experience that will keep the company coming back to the park each year.

If one individual fan has a problem, we can usually remedy the problem from spreading to more than that one person. But if a group has a problem, that problem turns into a whole bunch of unhappy people, and you can bet those unhappy people will be telling everyone they know about their bad experience. My job is ultimately to make sure everything goes smoothly and according to plan. If something does come up, I have to be the first one in to alleviate situation. It’s all about the customer service.

SEAMHEADS:  What was your first job working in baseball?   How did you get the job?   For whom did you work?  When was it (year)?  Where was it?

WHITE: My first job in baseball is what sealed my desire to have a career in baseball. I started as a bat girl for the Double-A affiliate to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Huntsville Stars, in Huntsville, AL. I began when I was 13 years old in 1999. I made $12 a game before taxes. It didn’t matter how long the game lasted, because there was no overtime pay. We had to buy our complete uniform except for a cheap t-shirt and a poorly made hat. It was hard and exhausting work, but I loved every minute of it.  Even the 17-inning game was something I’ll never forget.

Some of the players would help me with my homework, especially with my Spanish class. I probably learned some words that I shouldn’t have, but it was still fun. I wasn’t allowed into the clubhouse for obvious reasons, but I made up for it in the dugout. I kept the place clean and everyone happy…even the umpires.

I also pulled tarp and muddied up baseballs. I did the things most girls my age would have shied away from, but I loved it. And I would do it all over again…if the pay was a little better of course. I hear the new bat boys get a few more perks than I did. And sometimes I feel like an old woman saying I walked to school up hill both ways, but looking back on everything I now know it made me stronger. And as I said before, the job sealed my desire to make the business of baseball my career.

SEAMHEADS: When were you first attracted to baseball?

WHITE: My love of baseball began the night I was born, July 1, 1985. Both parents were sports writers for The Huntsville Times located in Huntsville, Alabama. My mother covered the new local team, the Huntsville Stars. At the time, Huntsville was the affiliate to the Oakland A’s and the team was filled with soon-to-be superstars.

My life crossed paths with one player in particular as he played his final game in Huntsville the night I was born. His nickname was “Parkway” because rumor has it that his home runs hit Memorial Parkway that runs about 100 yards past the outfield wall at Joe Davis Stadium. Everyone else knows him as one of the “bash brothers,” Jose Canseco.

My birth was announced on radio and my “stats” were displayed on the scoreboard. From that night on, my love of baseball grew. With my grandparents and great-grandparents as huge Braves fans, it was destined that I grew up with the tomahawk chop as well.

SEAMHEADS: What was your first job in baseball?

WHITE: I became a bat girl for the Huntsville Stars when I was thirteen. They were affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers and I got to work with future Major Leaguers like Ben Sheets, Corey Hart, Bill Hall and many others.  It was and still is the best job ever. I worked my way up to souvenirs and programs and stayed until I went to college.

SEAMHEADS: What college did you attend?

WHITE: I attended the University of Alabama where I received my BA in journalism and my MA in Sport Management. I worked in media relations for Alabama’s athletic department and was the scoreboard operator for 2008 baseball season. That summer, I interned with my hometown team, the Huntsville Stars. I learned so much and worked so hard. I credit my former GM Buck Rodgers and his wife Babs for teaching me what I know about the front office.

SEAMHEADS: Did you ever attend Major League Baseball’s winter meetings?

WHITE: In December 2008, I paid my way to the MLB winter meetings in Las Vegas in hopes of snagging a full-time job. I interviewed with about 6 or 7 teams, both at the major league and minor league level. I had to get a full-time job.

I had just graduated and needed the insurance. I wanted to work in media relations, but that job is not too big at the minor league level. So I searched other positions and found a group sales one with the Oklahoma City RedHawks. They were the only team to offer me the job, so I packed up my 3 cats and headed west. I’ve been here a year and a half now but am still settling in.

I have one season under my belt and that gives me confidence. It’s still hard being a woman in a man’s world.

SEAMHEADS: Did you play any sports in school?

WHITE: I played some basketball in high school and some intramural flag football but my biggest role in playing sports has been as an official…a female official.

This season marked my 4th season as a basketball official with the public schools, my first in Oklahoma City and my 5th season overall in the sport. I started as an intramural basketball official when I was a freshman in college. For three seasons, I officiated flag football and even officiated at the NIRSA National Flag Football Tournament. In addition to that tournament, I officiated several regional NIRSA and ACIS basketball tournaments.

I got into officiating at the local schools in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during my sophomore year at the University of Alabama. Since then, I’ve officiated little league, middle school and even up to the varsity boy’s high school level. Basketball is my favorite sport to officiate. I did try my hand at softball, but didn’t like to be behind the plate. Basketball is by far the toughest sport to officiate. Decisions must be quick and strong; an official cannot waiver with their decision.

SEAMHEADS: Please explain what NIRSA and ACIS are?

WHITE: NIRSA is the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association (This was for Intramural, tournaments between different universities, Flag Football and Basketball. I participated as an official/referee.)

ACIS is the American Collegiate Intramural Sports (This is another Intramural organization. I participated with them in a basketball tournament as an official/referee.)

SEAMHEADS: Are you still active in officiating basketball?

WHITE: Yes. I officiate basketball in Oklahoma City for the local school systems. I am a registered Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (or OSSA) basketball official and I am connected with the Tinker Officials Association (or TOA). In Tuscaloosa, I was a registered basketball official with the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

SEAMHEADS: What is the most difficult part of your job?

WHITE: The most difficult part of my job has involved two different aspects. The first of which has been the economy. While it is easier to justify a one-night group outing over season tickets, no one can justify any outing when the company is near bankruptcy. The other difficult part is the high turnover. Each season’s staff has the potential of being very different than the season before. This, however, is a part of minor league baseball. Just like the players, we are all trying to reach the next level.

SEAMHEADS: What do you love most about your job?

WHITE: I love the people. I love sharing my passion with all of our fans. No matter how bad my day is, it always ends at the ballpark. And when we’re in season, it usually ends with a baseball game.

SEAMHEADS: If you could ask any woman in baseball one question, who would that be and what would you ask?

WHITE: Kim Ng. She is the Assistant General Manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers. “What advice would you give young women like me who dream of being at the big league level’s front office?”

SEAMHEADS: Who were your mentors?

WHITE: My parents. Both parents were sports writers when I was born. They raised me to appreciate the beauty of sport. They also taught me that I could be anything I want to be as long as I worked hard, stayed in school and got good grades.

SEAMHEADS: Do you have a favorite baseball film? A favorite baseball book?

WHITE: My favorite baseball movie is “A League of their Own.” But “Field of Dreams” and “Major League” are not too far behind. My favorite baseball book (it is sitting at my desk right now) is Watching Baseball Smarter by Zack Hample. I highly recommend it to any type of baseball fan.

SEAMHEADS: What are your thoughts on Interleague play in the Majors?

WHITE: I love Interleague play. When you grow up a Braves fan, you only get to see the National League. Geographically speaking, Atlanta is isolated from every other Major League team. In New York, you have your pick of the leagues. The same holds true in Florida, Texas and California. Even St Louis and Kansas City are not that far apart. But in the deep South, you have Atlanta and the National League and that’s it. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge NL fan. I love the strategy in the NL. And I hate the DH. I feel that the DH spot is where hitters go to die or be put out to pasture. I wish we could see even more match ups between the leagues. Maybe with some additional experience each year the NL could win another All-Star game. But that’s a whole other opinion.

SEAMHEADS: Do you have a favorite quote?

WHITE: “If you believe in yourself, and have dedication and pride, and never quit…you will be a winner. The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.” –Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, University of Alabama

SEAMHEADS: To what do you attribute your success?

WHITE: I studied hard and worked hard. I sacrificed for my career, but every sacrifice has been well worth it. My professors at Alabama (especially my Sport Management ones like Dr John Vincent and Dr Ken Wright) helped me prepare for the real world. My GM at the Huntsville Stars prepared me for the world of baseball. Most importantly, my success comes from my parents. The have given me all the love and support for me to reach my dreams. I can never thank any of these people enough.

SEAMHEADS: What achievement are you most proud of?

WHITE: Getting my degrees. It took a lot of prep work for college and a lot of work in college. Getting my masters at twenty-three was the icing on the cake.

SEAMHEADS: Are you married? Have any children?

WHITE: I am not married, but in a long-term, long-distance relationship with no ring on my finger. I have no children, but I do hope to have a family in the future.

SEAMHEADS: Do you follow other sports? Aside from your team, what is your favorite team?

WHITE: I follow a lot of sports. In baseball, the Atlanta Braves are my favorite. I love college football and am a huge Alabama fan. Roll Tide! National Champions 2009!

SEAMHEADS: What do you do for relaxation after work?

WHITE: I watch TV and play with my 3 cats. They keep me grounded and love me unconditionally.

SEAMHEADS: What is the most memorable game you ever saw?

WHITE: It’s a toss up between Greg Maddux’s hour and half game, any of Chipper Jones crushing the Mets and my first MLB game. I watched the Orioles and Cal Ripken take on Chipper Jones and my Atlanta Braves. The good news was Ryan Klesko hitting a homer. The bad news was the Braves lost 22-1, but Cal did go 6-6…a career high. (I actually attended the Braves/Orioles game.)

SEAMHEADS: Are you familiar with “BE YOUR OWN FAN TV”? Ever seen it?

WHITE: I had not heard about it until I was asked this question. I love Google! After looking through their site, I think what they are trying to do is unique and fun. They definitely need to get advertising out there and when they do, I think it could be a big hit.

SEAMHEADS:  Do you use Facebook, My Space or Twitter? Do the RedHawks use any of the new social media in marketing the club?

WHITE:  The RedHawks use Facebook and Twitter. It’s great for announcing promotions and weather delays. Why call the stadium about a delay when you can just look at Facebook or Twitter on your phone? The best part is it can take fans directly to our website. From there, we just have to get them in the stadium. On a professional level, many employees use LinkedIn to connect with other teams and sports. We love learning from the new NBA team down the street. We’ve all become big Oklahoma City Thunder fans.

SEAMHEADS: What are your long-term goals?

WHITE: Secretly, I want to be the commissioner of baseball. (Move over Mr. Selig!) I’ve got a long way to go for that, but the main thing I want now is to be in the media relations department of a MLB team. (Dream team: Atlanta Braves)

SEAMHEADS: What advice would you give a young woman considering a career in baseball?

WHITE: Start young. Be a bat girl. Get dirty. Get your foot in the door as soon as you can. Take internships…ones that don’t pay; they’ll make you appreciate the ones that do. Talk with your GM. Get to know them. Let them get to know you. Pick their brain as often as possible. Be a team player. Prepare to pull tarp. (This is where the bat girl part comes in. You learn early that the tarp is just a part of the game.) Don’t date the players. (That’s a big one!)

I would be remiss if I did not mention the importance of PBEO.com.  (a) Professional Baseball Employment Opportunities gave me the chance to get a job in baseball. They have helped guide me and provide me with insights to so many teams. If you want a job in baseball, PBEO is the best and easiest way to go. They even put on a job fair at the Major League Winter Meetings. This is the ultimate meeting time for any job applicant.

(a) PBEO.com

P.O. Box A
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
Tel: 1-866-WE-R-PBEO (866-937-7236)

Norm Coleman is an actor, writer and professional photographer. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California.

normcoleman36@hotmail.com www.tycobb367.com