Its been a few days now and I have had some time to reflect on my first Winter Meetings. If you like Baseball or work in Baseball you know what that is and this year it was in Dallas, Texas, which is not that warm in December I have learned! This will be my forth season working in MiLB, but this was my first Winter Meetings and I tell you that was a silly thing to do on my part, I learned a lot, met some amazing people, had a blast ... and there was free beer!
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| Winter Meetings |
We rolled into Texas Sunday evening after a nice long flight. We did how ever get a nice ride from the airport to the hotel, a party bus... with free beer. First things first the affiliates dinner. With a nice spread, open bar and name tags there was a lot to do. Just to get the girly part out of the way, high heels are unnecessary and a dumb choice, people just think you are drunk when your feet her to much to walk properly, lesson learned. As myself and one of my favorite girls in the office mingled a little we were not a hundred percent sure who everyone was so we just chatted. One of our co workers came up to us after speaking with one person, " Do you know who that was," "No" "The president of our organization, hope you didn't embarrass yourself!" ( I knew that name seemed familiar!) But the high light of this event ( sorry friend) was my poor friend... just sitting at the table enjoying dinner and grabbing her phone to send a quick text to hear behind her, you know you can't text here, looking up mortified its the GM of the organization saying this looking pretty serious, so she quickly fumbles the phone into her purse... "aahhh....sorry"... only for him to laugh hysterically and say don't worry your face is only bright red... poor thing.
The next day was a learning day, filled with seminars, round table discussions and looking at resumes from potential job seekers. I felt like I was back in college for the day but it was great to hear what all the other teams are doing out there. It was also great to see some old friends, being part of the events or just sitting there listening with me. This day was followed with some front office bonding by hitting an interesting bar, apparently known for the strongest drinks in Texas... I will agree! Spent some time hanging out, and learning a lot about Texas. Lesson one if you ask the waitress for a pumpkin ale you get a look of disgust and something along the lines of no and who the hell would ask something like that ( lesson learned by myself). Lesson two if you are not from Texas, do not pretend to speak in an accent, nor say something like " I am just speaking your language"... they will not like you and your co workers will laugh at you for days. Luke Wilson is also from Texas and likes to play pool that is what we learned on our seminar day!
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| Our Luke Wilson sighting |
One of the events I enjoyed the most was the Women in Baseball event. Its pretty amazing to meet women that work hard and know what its like to work in MiLB, its not easy. There are some women out there who are putting men all over this world to shame ( no offense) in this field, who know how to work hard and succeed. The best of part of the event is to be able to explore unique topics that only another girl would understand.
Our next eventful day was filled with interviews, there are a lot of great people out there especially recent college grads, it was great to meet you! We then moved on to the Cowboys stadium for a self guided tour. You walk in and head down to the field... its pretty awesome... and you get to play on it! So that we did, kicking field goals, making passes, tebowing (even though it might not be the right place for that) and making touch downs. While making some passes one of the security guards offered to tackle us to make it feel real.... um ok?? Next was the locker room of the players and the cheer leaders and apparently all I need to do is work a little more on my kicks and splits and I am in... good to know!
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| Obviously the Dallas Cowboy Stadium |
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| Getting Tackled |
We then crossed the street to the Texas Ranger stadium for the gala, pretty much the wrap up for our trip to winter meetings anyway. Texas Rangers did it right! We toured the stadium, hit the dug outs, great food, beer and wine and there were cowboys walking around! Taking a gander around the stadium we walked to a big case on the ground with armadillos racing around it and a loud shout " who wants to race an armadillo?"... clearly I do... and I would like to announce the 2011 champion armadillo racer... myself! The next step was some old timey photos, more food... and beer... and some bull riding! I will also claim myself as that champion, but it could be up for debate. All that was left was the shuttle back to the hotel for a last goodbye, and in the hotel lobby someone said something to me that I will never forget..." hey you are the girl that won the Armadillo race! Let me buy you a drink!!" That was totally ok with me.
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| Your Champ is in the middle! |
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| Who doesn't need a good butt sketch to take home.... |
