Get Paid To Watch The Red Sox? MLB Looking For Stat Stringers

(Originally posted on 4SportBoston.com )

It maybe too good to be true but it is.

MLB.com is looking for stat stringers to watch games and enter information about it for their website and applications like MLB GameDay.

I originally saw this post over at Baseball Prospectus and here's the text of the posting that they had:

MLB.com, the Official Site of Major League Baseball, is seeking stats stringers in these markets for the 2010 season :

• Boston
• Cincinnati
• Cleveland
• Detroit
• Miami
• Milwaukee
• Texas

Stats stringers are responsible for digitally scoring games from one of the 30 MLB ballparks, which provides the data used in the live content applications on MLB.com, including Gameday and MLB.TV, real-time highlights and text alerts, and by our business partners. This is a perfect part-time job for a diligent, responsible employee who happens to be a big baseball fan.

Responsibilities include:

• Arrive at the ballpark no later than one hour prior to the scheduled start time;
• Double-check and verify all pre-game information: rosters, umpires, weather conditions, etc.;
• During the game, enter the results of every pitch and game event (plays, substitutions, etc.) using our proprietary software and coding language;
• Work closely with our game-night support staff (via AOL Instant Messenger) to ensure proper scoring of all game events and accuracy of data;
• After the game, enter all post-game information: winning and losing pitcher, saves, holds, time and attendance
• Validate all stats in software box score against the official box score provided by the Official Scorer, and print out a final box score and game text for the club PR staff

Qualifications include:

• Previous experience (including press-box exposure) with a professional or college sports team, preferably baseball;
• Exceptional (and demonstrable) knowledge of baseball and how to score a baseball game;
• Strong computer proficiency (Windows OS and Windows-based software) and the ability to quickly learn and operate new software;
• Regular availability to attend games in-person as required by the schedule: weekdays, nights, and weekends;
• A “team player” with a great attitude, including but not limited to a willingness to make and learn from mistakes and the ability to work closely and cooperatively (and take direction from) our game-night staff;
• Professionalism. It’s a fun job and we pay people to watch baseball, but it’s also an important job and we want people who will take the responsibility seriously.

(New stringers undergo an 8-10 week correspondence training program, and co-score several practice games in the ballpark with a returning stringer, before scoring any games solo in the ballpark.)

Those interested in applying should send a resume and cover later, addressing the above-listed qualifications, to stats@website.mlb.com

ONLY those who reply to this e-mail address will be considered, and due to volume, they may be unable to respond to all applicants.

Sounds really interesting, I know a friend down here in DC that did this kind of work for the Nationals. If you want to know more about what it would be like to be a stringer check out this article over at the Hardball Times .

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