Touring The Bases With…Jackie Kampf

Jackie Kampf is the Marketing Assistant for the Montgomery Biscuits located in Montgomery, Alabama.  They have been an Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays since 2004 and are in the Southern League.

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

JACKIE KAMPF: My title is Marketing Assistant for the Montgomery Biscuits.  My primary duties include Fan Entertainment, Community Relations, and I act as the Sales Liaison for the Sales department.

Some of my duties include keeping a schedule of all pre-game and in-game elements for the season, scheduling national anthem singers, managing our promotional staff, and booking all acts and executing theme nights. I handle mascot appearances, player appearances, speeches, and donations under the Community Relations pod. As Sales Liaison, I keep up with email marketing for sales as well as handle our Military relations.

SH: When and how did you get interested in working in baseball?

JK: I actually fell into my baseball career. Looking for an internship, I stumbled upon a listing for an internship with the Trenton Thunder (AA Affiliate for the New York Yankees) and ended up spending four months interning there over the summer.  The Director of Marketing there asked me back for a second season to work as a Marketing Assistant and help plan the Eastern League All-Star Game.  In December of that year, I attended the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis and got a job with the Biscuits there.

SH: When did you get interested in baseball?  Who influenced you?

JK: I grew up watching and loving baseball (Go Phillies!!) with my dad and brother, and I also played softball for many years.  I think I saw my first Phillies game when I was about seven and have loved baseball ever since. We have a Little League field around the corner of my parent’s house, so there were many nights spent watching Little League and eating hot dogs with my family.

SH: Did you play sports in High School or College?

JK: In high school I played softball for two years (and town ball for many years before that). I swam in high school for a short amount of time (and also many years before that). I played intramural volleyball in college as well.

SH: Where were you raised?

JK: I was raised in Audubon, New Jersey – a little town about five minutes from downtown Philadelphia. I attended Audubon High School. ­

SH: Did you attend college? What was your Major?

JK: I attended Kutztown University in Kutztown, Penna., a small town located between Allentown and Reading.  My major was marketing, and I had a minor in Public Relations and a minor in Communications.

SH: What do you love the most about your job?

JK: I love the atmosphere, the people, and the “un-constant.” I love coming to work and spending my day with baseball fans at a beautiful baseball park. I work in an office setting during the day, but I walk outside to a background like no other. I have met so many people in the short time I have been here, and each one has a different story.

It’s fascinating to me that so many people can be so different; yet share a common love for baseball.  My dad always told me how constant his job was. Day in and day out, he does the same job and nothing ever really changes.  My job is different every day.  One day I could be making a donation for a non-profit group, and the next day I could be booking circus animals for Circus Night, and that’s not common in today’s workplace.

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

JK: The un-constant. It’s the best part of my job, but it’s also the hardest.  Because you are doing different things every day, it can get hectic.  Staying organized is key!

SH: Who was your mentor in baseball?

JK: Eric Lipsman, the Director of Marketing for the Trenton Thunder. He saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself and he wouldn’t let me go! My two internships with him were challenging, but he didn’t let me quit. I am grateful every day he saw promise in me.

SH: What is the most outstanding memory you have working for your team?

JK: Opening Night. It was my first ever-opening night and my first game as a Biscuit. The atmosphere was overwhelming and the feeling was unforgettable. Knowing all your hard work paid off is the best feeling in the world.

SH: What makes you successful at your job?

JK: My determination and my personality. In this line of business, you have to be driven and focused to get anywhere and that has definitely helped me. And with all the stress that comes with it, you have to be able to laugh at yourself and have a thick skin, and I laugh at myself a lot!

SH: What was the biggest obstacle you overcame to get into baseball?

JK: The Winter Meetings were tough! It was like speed dating, except it was speed interviewing! You had such a short amount of time to emphasize why you were better than the other 400 people that were in attendance. Talk about stressful! It was definitely worth it though, and I would recommend that job fair to anyone interested in getting into baseball. It’s a great resource and a great learning experience!

SH: What is your favorite baseball movie?  Have a favorite baseball book?

JK: A League of Their Own , Angels in the Outfield , Sandlot !

SH: What are the funniest things you have seen with your team?

JK: During our 80’s Night, we had guys from the sales staff, box office, and concessions participate in the field drag. When they got to 1 ^st base, they dropped their drags and started doing a choreographed dance that caught the crowd by surprise. They did all 80’s moves and then picked up their drags, and walked back to 3 ^rd base and did the same thing. The crowd really loved it.

SH: Do you follow other sports?  Aside from your team, what teams do you follow?

JK: I follow football (Eagles, Colts), I like all college basketball, I like watching golf, and I follow the Phillies in baseball.

SH: What is the most creative part of yourself?

JK: The most creative part of myself is my ability to make things work. I can take my creativeness and make something better out of the situation.

SH: Are you married?

JK:  I am single and have no children.

SH: What do you do for relaxation after work?

JK: Going out with friends from work or going home and lying on my recliner.  Sometimes I exercise when I really need some stress relief.

SH: How did you wind up working for your team?

JK: After doing my internships in New Jersey with the Trenton Thunder in 2008 and 2009, I went to the Winter Meetings in December of 2009 to participate in the PBEO Job Fair.  (a) I interviewed with four different minor league teams several times while there, and was offered the job at the Biscuits, which is the one I wanted the most. I graduated college 1 week after the job fair, and moved to Alabama two weeks after I graduated.

SH: Do you have a favorite quote?

JK: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

SH: What is your motto, if any?

JK:  “Everything happens for a reason.”

SH: If you were commissioner of baseball, what one change would you make?

JK: None. I love baseball just the way it is!

SH: What kind of music do you like?  Have a favorite band?  Favorite song?

JK: I love country music, but I am really into all types of music. I have everything on my iPod from John Mayer to the Wicked Soundtrack to Jay-Z. I love variety! My favorite band is Dave Matthews Band, and my favorite performer is Taylor Swift.

SH: Do you have a nickname?

JK: Jac, Jax, Wade (my middle name), Jackson, Kampfster, and many more!

SH: What is your biggest pet peeve?

JK:  When people say  “good” instead of “well.” That drives me crazy! For example: “Oh my goodness, you did so good,” instead of well.  I blame my mom for that pet peeve.

SH: Do you travel?  What is your favorite American city?

JK: Yes, I try to.  I love San Diego.

SH: What woman do you admire the most?

JK: Our first lady, Michelle Obama.

SH: What do you do during the off-season?

JK: Hopefully, catch up on my sleep and my reading!

SH: What are your long-term goals?

JK: I want a family and kids first and foremost. I grew up in a loving and wonderful family and I want the same for my future.  Job –wise, I just want to be happy and successful, whether it is in baseball or sports or something completely different. If I can accomplish those things, I can say I lived a happy life.

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

JK: It’s worth it.  Put the time and effort into an internship (or two like I did) and don’t give up.  It’s a competitive field and so many people want in, so stand out, make sacrifices, and go above and beyond every day. It’s a great job, so it’s worth it. Go to the Winter Meetings! Even if you are just looking for an internship. It’s by far the best way to get into baseball!

(a) PBEO.com is the online home of Minor League Baseball’s Official Employment Service.

PBEO® serves all affiliated baseball clubs (Minor League Baseball™ and Major League Baseball). They are a medium for all of our clubs and organizations to post positions throughout the year.

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

#

normcoleman36@hotmail.com www.tycobb367.com

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