March 20th, 2017

Another Season in the "Other" City by the Bay

Today’s the first day of Spring and less than two weeks to Opening Day. And two days ago, I officially began my fourth season as a member of the Oakland Athletics team.
 
After moving to San Francisco and needing to find a job, I was looking through some postings on Craig’s List and came across something called “Oakland Athletics Event Staff.” Intrigued, I sent an application and, long story short, I got the job.
 
The position has evolved a bit over the years. I’m now known as a “Guest Services Ambassador.” Essentially, though, the main objective of the position has stayed the same: to make attending an A’s game the best experience it can be for our fans. We staff the information booths, answer questions, give directions, write out first-game certificates for kids, pitch in taking tickets or ushering when necessary, and a number of other little things to be the jacks-of-all-trades on game day.
 
And it’s the most fun I’ve ever had while getting paid.
 
There’s nothing like the buzz of a Major League ballpark on game day, and I’ve yet to get tired of it. Most folks are in a good mood – they’re at a baseball game, after all – and those that aren’t, well, part of the job is to turn that mood around by fixing whatever has them upset. It’s very gratifying. The best part of the job? Handing a random kid in the right field nosebleed seats a genuine MLB baseball, just because I can.
 
The team has been struggling the past couple years, but there’s new management and a palpable sense of optimism this year. Plus, we’ve been told that an announcement regarding a new ballpark in Oakland will be coming soon. I think it’s going to be an exciting season.
 
I’ll be honest; the money’s not great. But I’m fortunate that my other, more lucrative job is flexible enough for me to keep this one. It’s convenient (public transportation can get me from my house in SF’s Sunset District to the Coliseum without my even having to cross a street), and for a Baseball geek like me, there’s no better place to be. As a direct employee of a Major League ball club, every season I sign the same arbitration agreement and drug-testing policy that the players do. It’s silly, I know, but that makes me grin every time. Actually, so does just walking into the stadium to start my shift. I hope that never goes away.
 
If you’re ever in Oakland and want to catch a game, I’ll hook you up!
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