Making A Living In Baseball

That’s a wonderful life to live it comfortable with baseball as an income.

@Francis7 posted:

Is he just one in a million or is it really possible to "do baseball for a living" your whole life?

Yes.

But most coaches work really hard so when they get to 60 they can sit back and enjoy life.

A friend/former summer ball teammate is in a similar scenario. He’s still coaching. The field is named after him. He’s in the state athletic hall of fame and the college baseball coaching hall of fame. He played on Team USA and in the CWS. He’s won two D3’s as a coach.

One son was an All American, first round pick and had a six year MLB career. He’s now a scout. Another son played D1 ball. A daughter played college softball.

He was offered D1 coaching positions. But he didn’t want to uproot his family as the kids were heading into high school.

Add: Before coaching in college he was a high school teacher and took over a former state champion, now struggling high school program in his mid 20’s. After winning back to back state titles he was offered the D3 job at age 30. He turned a doormat into national champions.

Frances:

what is your opinion of the Area Code games 1987 to 2004 and the Goodwill Series International 1983-2019?

Bob

@Consultant posted:

Frances:

what is your opinion of the Area Code games 1987 to 2004 and the Goodwill Series International 1983-2019?

Bob

Can he hit the curve? :-)

No

Bob

@NY posted:

That’s a wonderful life to live it comfortable with baseball as an income.

You definitely need a family to support that lifestyle. There are certainly coaches who can get a good living out of baseball but be prepared to be away from the family a lot of time including weekends, holidays and so on.

It's not a 9 to 5 jobs where you can be back for dinner and spend the weekend with your kids.

Also be prepared to work in low paying jobs for several years before you get a higher paying gig and there is a chance that after years of lower paying jobs you don't make it to better paying levels.

But if you and your family can live with all that and it's your dream than go for it.

I know a guy like that. His wife is a bank executive.

It's been my son's dream since he was 4, there have been as many downs as ups, but he hopes to be involved with the game for life - that's his goal.

I've known quite a few that have accomplished a lifetime in baseball, very few (except for the former MLB players) have a relaxed quality of life or high income.  The long hours and time away make for a terrible home life and if you have children, you're unavailable for most of their activities.  

In some ways I think baseball is like a drug, once it's in your system it's very hard to kick the habit. I think there are way more that do the job for the love (addiction) to the game for very little pay than those that are comfortable working in baseball.

Some grind it out giving lessons 6 or 7 days per week and coach a team in fall and spring/summer.  I would think having a spouse with a decent income would be very beneficial.  My son will graduate next year (hopefully) with a sports management degree.  I asked him what he wants to do with the degree and he does not know yet.  I would think getting a teaching certificate or endorsement would be wise for one wanting to stick around baseball coaching-wise.  Itd definitely be a grind doing lessons and Im sure opening a facility would be costly and hard to make a profit, especially at first.

My son has plan A,  B, and C for next year.  Preface, he will graduate in 3 weeks with a bachelors degree in governmental business, allowed him to get instate tuition at out of state school.  Wants to be a college baseball coach.

A:  Get drafted.  Completely out of his control other than keep doing what he is doing.

B:  Come back and get a masters degree and be the old man (5th year starter) on the team.  Find some opportunities to help mentor/coach the younger pitchers.  Masters degree required for almost every HC position at any size college so go ahead and get it now.

C:  Move on to a volunteer position or minimally paid position in an SEC school.  I don't think unless someone offered him a paid assistant at mid-major school it would be beneficial to leave SEC.  Many have told him graduate or volunteer at SEC school is better than paid assistant at non D1 school.  Hard to move back up the ladder.

edcoach:

Has your son considered Minor League Baseball for "Intern" position.

My suggestion is to attend the MLB Winter Meetings and also the College Coaching Convention. Consider the vendors at the Trade Shows.

During my Area Code and Goodwill Series International years, these events were necessary to "fine tune" the games.

Bob

He has and has connections with Kansas City Royals upper echelon since he played with GM's son and head of scouts was their contact for his travel ball team with the Royals Scout Team but with his college team being successful he really can't make any plans during the summer this year.

A cousin made it to the majors. I’m amused by the story. It cracks me up when he talks about making The Show. He’s tongue in cheek, of course. There are more ways to get to the majors than on the field. He started as a food services manager/concessions in Low A. He ended up in the majors. He did play D3 ball and started.

Another cousin was a top prospect coming out of college as a trainer. He was offered a Low A position out of college. He opted to get his PharmD. He now does heart research at Loma Linda.

Bob, great ideas!  We have the Oklahoma City Dodgers here (LA Dodgers AAA team)...I didnt know there was a college coaches convention though....I know there college provides them an internship just not sure doing what exactly

I'm guessing Bob is talking ABCA national coaches convention in January.  He has actually been talked to by someone about being there in their booth.  Not sure who or what.

Fan;

yes, it is the ABCA which has the "Trade Show" . This is where I obtained Nike as a Sponsor.

Bob