Minor League Girls: Ghost Towns, Goodbyes and "wishing you the best"

My last post was from mid-season when things were in full swing. Oh my, how the tables have turned. It is now Tuesday, September 20. Our last home game was Tuesday, August 30. It was a perfect summer night and we won by a walk-off hit. The game seemed to drag on forever because as a staff, we were exhausted and working our 13th or 14th day in a row. Plus, we were ready for the post-game suite party of beers, shots and speeches. The game ended and we hurried to do whatever we needed so we could get the celebration started. We all got together and our GM gave a speech thanking us for a great season. We all went around in a circle and said a little something then following it with a shot. Then we took our party to Wild Wing Cafe where drinks were on our Pres.

It didn't hit me that night that the season was over because we had one remaining homestand in Charleston, SC and some of us were going for the weekend to relax on the beach and cheer on our team. The hotel we were staying in was the team hotel and it was gorgeous. Much too nice for underpaid minor league workers and players to stay in. It was so nice to spend some quality time with some of my favorite co-workers and actually get to sit and enjoy a beer while watching a game.

In minor league baseball - whether you are an intern, full-time staff member, game day worker or even a player - you have to get used to goodbyes. You spend countless hours with these people and they become like family whether you like it or not. For five months, you see their faces and know every, and I mean EVERY, detail of their lives. Then in a day, it's over. Everyone goes their separate ways and it's just the front office staff left in the empty ballpark. I'm lucky because the past three years I've spent with three different teams getting to know a slew of amazing people and creating unforgettable memories.

I got the pleasure of working with fabulous interns and game day staff this year. I couldn't have asked for a better first year as a full time employee. Every, single day was a challenge. From the off-season when I was the only girl and picked on like crazy to the season when I was constantly being tested by either a co-worker, a client or a supervisor. I spent so many days soaked from tarping, tired from lack of sleep or stressed from work in general, but at this current moment, I'd do anything to work one more homestand. I stood out on the field the week after we got back from Charleston and all I saw was one, single baseball sitting near home plate in the dirt. It was so lonely. We cleaned the clubhouses and turned them into storage. Cleaned all the concession stands and put the portables away. Took down signage, put away chairs. It was eery and quiet and the energy of the season was gone.

That Tuesday in September when all the players and coaching staff cleaned out their lockers and started catching flights/driving home was such a sad day. It really signified the end. You always feel like there are some people you really should've taken more time to get to know and there are some people you thought you knew and were so happy to have built a friendship with. You don't get paid a lot in the minor leagues and it sure as shit isn't glamorous, but it sure as hell is fun while you're young. Whether it's sitting in the office going crazy during a rain delay, wiping seats down before a game in the blazing sun or listening to a crazy fan complain about their hot dog being cold, those are memories you're going to miss. When you catch a smile from a cute coach in the dugout while walking through the seating area, going out for a beer after a rough week or getting a hug from a sweet game day staffer, it's all so worth it. Even if you find out the cute coach is a stereotypical dbag, or you're a little hungover for the work the next day, I'd say it's still worth it.

I have no idea where the next year will take me, but I know this past year was fantastic. I grew up so much and I met some of the best people I have in my life. Thanks for being part of this journey & I hope you'll follow me on my next big adventure. :)

-D