Naomi Silver took time to speak with Evan Petzold about the Rochester Red Wings. They are a Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. She is the President, CEO and COO of the team. She is also the LLC for the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York Penn League, a minor league affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

INTERVIEW:

1. What have you been working on this offseason to prepare your team for the season ahead?

NS: We have been reviewing last year’s promotions in order to see what we keep, what we tweak, what we eliminate and what we add. Lots of time creating new concepts, ordering new merchandise, and planning for Opening Day, which is of the ultimate importance to us. This is also the time of year that we make changes to the stadium that have to be done off-season, before the snow flies substantially. There are also events here at this time of year. Lots of companies around town use our services and space for holiday parties and business meetings and seminars. Nothing is more fun than a meeting at the ballpark. Great place to do a little business in a fun environment.

2. How do the older guys help out the younger guys with the transition into professional baseball? How does the front office help?

NS: Experience in dealing with clients and fans is very important, so I think that’s one of the biggest ways the older guys help out; by sharing their own experience. Most young staffers are hired from among the pool of interns we have had working for us. We get to know the interns during their internships, and if they are serious, hard working, caring and FUN individuals, we know that they will work out, either on our staff or working for another ballclub. During their internships, they work with our folks, who are among the best in the game. By the time they’re hired, they have a sense of what it takes to be successful. Of course, nothing is more useful than time spent learning the job.

The key job in a sports front office is sales. We sell advertising, radio ad time, program ads, fence signs and promotions like fireworks nights, tickets (of course!), and merchandise. That’s how we make our money to support carrying out the games. Sales takes a certain talent, but selling baseball is a lot more fun than a lot of other sales jobs. Clients or potential clients enjoy meeting with our staff because they get to hear a little about the team, and the behind the scenes stuff. This skill is definitely learned from the more mature sales

3. What is an average day for you at the office?

NS: I have many, many meetings each day. They range from meeting with the County Executive to meeting with staff members who are looking for input, to meetings with attorneys (another off-season type of work) to meeting with clients, or people who are interested in working in baseball and are just looking for advice. This list goes on and on.

4. What is the best part about your job?

NS: The fans. I love making people happy, and that is my goal every day. I love the interaction. I just love people.

5. What is the worst part about your job?

NS: There is no “worst part”. Everything is not ALWAYS rosy, but there is no regularly occurring part that is a drag. I would say the toughest thing for me is to let an employee go, but that is a rare occurrence.

6. When did you decided you wanted to make this your career? How did you achieve your goals?

NS: I had married a ball player when I was very young, and as we traveled in baseball, big leagues, minor leagues and South America, I learned a lot about the business that supports the games being played. When I can back to Rochester, I began to work at Silver Stadium and quickly knew it was the right path for me.

7. Do you have any advice for kids who want to make it pro someday?

NS: Work hard in school (you’ll never regret it even if it’s killing you right now. You want to choose YOUR college, so make grades a non-issue), give it everything you’ve got when you are practicing or playing. The work ethic is important. If you don’t have it, you will not succeed. Respect your coaches and teammates, and the game. There is no room for self importance in baseball.