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Pete, setup informational interviews at organizations near you, professional and college. This is a form of networking that will help you learn who holds positions who will give you 10-30 minutes of their time to learn about duties and skills in different roles at different ballclubs.

You have to ask, ask, ask, but you will learn of many ways you know someone who works at these clubs. Use your networks to find connections that are 1,2,3 levels deep. You will find its likely that over time you'll only have to go 1 or 2 levels of connection. Ask the athletic departments at your university. A lot of clubs have spring training in AZ, so you're likely in a good spot to find connections. Here is an example of what you could ask:

> I'm so_and_soap, a senior here at NAU. I'm interested in working with MLB and am wondering if there are some staff here who can help me setup informational interviews at the Diamondbacks, MLB?

There are three goals (or however many you make up) for informational interviews.

1. Get answers to the questions you have about skills and duties. Skills are valuable to learn; by knowing the required skills you will interview well and likely do the job well. Duties help you think about the jobs you would like.
   
   
2. Get the word out that you want to get an entry level job when you graduate, titles might include coordinator, analyst, associate, etc. Be open, say yes to things.
   
   
3. Build your network. It is nice to meet people and is the most likely way to get anything done in business. Don't feel an obligation to be close with informational interview people. Keep it light and focussed, having fun. You will run into the same people over time and relationships will build from it. In the meantime, they might be able to help you with making introductions to people who have the power to hire you. It is these people you who can hire you that you want to meet.
   
   
   Patience
   You might find something at your ballclub within your search timeframe quickly. Most likely, though, you will need to include more companies in your search. Whatever the job, focus on developing those skills you think ae most important to land you at MLB or other targetted companies.
   
   
   Networking ideas:
   Linkedin, parents, university alumni, directories, friends, friends' parents, guest lecturers, professors, bosses
   
   
   Say Yes
   In your replies to comments you have said 3 times that you don't know something or don't have requisite skill for something. That is not productive nor useful to your efforts. Instead think of a question that might get that piece of information answered.
   
   
   Resources
   
   Highly Effective Networking by Orville Pierson
   
   Use your head to get your foot in the door by Harvey Mackay
   
   Nonviolent Communication
   
   Spin Selling
   

> When America rapes the Olympics every 4 years and embarrasses the athletes of other, lesser countries (often on their own turf)

Only a recent phenomenon. The gold medal run from 1996 to 2004 was impressive, but the Soviets have long been dominant in that field.

> the country is allowed to enjoy its superior sports on its own time.

How does one define superior?

>America doesn't give two shits about soccer.

TV ratings and attendance says differently.

>Soccer is a boring

Personal opinion, but I must ask, why do you find it boring? Lack of scoring? Then I assume you consider a perfect game or a defensive battle in American football to be an affront to nature. Perhaps you lack the intelligence to understand the overall tactics of the game to fully embrace it. People overseas find American football incredibly boring because it lacks fluidity, but upon learning the game grow to respect it.

>simple minded game

Pitcher throw, hitter hit and run, players catch

Put ball in hoop

Put puck in net

etc.

> designed for poor Europeans

Then what was American football designed for? The two sports had very similar rules and roots deep into the 1890's.

>feel a sense of belonging and purpose connected their respective clubs

Incorrect, soccer was encouraged as a recreational game between organizations. Some were athletic clubs filled with influential individuals, some were universities, others were clubs at manufacturing plants created by workers to utilize their day off. Over time people became willing to pay to watch.

>Which is why they have sing a songs

I assume you refuse to applaud and cheer when a pitcher is on the second strike with two outs in an inning. Or make noise when your American football team is on defense.

>get drunk as fuck with each other while absentmindedly watching grown men

So I assume you don't watch college football

>flail and flop along a grass field

Happens in every sport

>cheering their beta hearts out when they manage to draw a card.

I would recommend not using a phone to post, autocorrect can be so silly. In the sport of soccer a draw is worth one point. Now if a club is vastly overmatched by a superior opponent, but that club manages a draw on the road, the fans would be happy has the draw is worth one point. In the NHL it used to be similar until they introduced the ridiculous shoot-out. But that's what's nice about soccer is that the match is less than two hours long. Extra-innings and extensive overtime periods can be incredibly boring.

>There is no strategy

Ya.....no

>no heart

Ya......no

>no skill

I assume you have never heard of Messi

>it will never be embraced in United States

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

It’s real rare that disc golf makes it on the front page, so I have to take this opportunity to try and grow the sport.

First of all disc golf is amazing. While you have to buy your own discs, you can get a starter pack for cheap. Courses are almost always free, and you can search your area to find a course that is close to you very easily. Its an awesome way to get outside and be active for the day, while having a little healthy competition with your friends. If you want to learn this guy’s YouTube channel has a TON of amazing tips and techniques. If you’re interested in watching the pros play (they are fucking incredible) check out Jomez Productions.

It’s an amazing game, and truly my favorite way to spend a day. If anyone has any questions feel free to pm me!

Sports writing has a long, rich tradition and it's probably worth tapping into some of the older stuff.

The New Yorker has printed some great sports writing, and this collection has articles going back almost 100 years. The most famous is John Updike's description of Ted Williams' final at bat at Fenway.

Dr. Z has some great stuff. His book "The New Thinking Man's Guide to Pro Football", published in 1984, blends statistics and subjective insight in a way that anticipates modern sports writing. The chapter on Marion Motley is wonderful.

You've heard of Bill James. I like this abstract but he has a lot of good work.

Boxing has a long tradition of being elevated by great writing. My favorite boxing writer is AJ Liebling, some of his best work is collect in The Sweet Science.

There's a ton of great stuff out there I didn't mention. I think it would be a mistake to draw mostly from writing from the last 10 years.

Not sure if anybody has ever managed to excel at both sports but this is supposed to be a very good book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Playing-Hard-Ball-Cricket-Baseball/dp/0349116660 although it is as much about the cultural differences between the two sports (and therefore about America and cricket playing countries).

North California cricket association: https://www.facebook.com/NCCA4Cricket/ I feel like I am turning into an internet stalker. Honestly mate, if you get the chance then give it a go. The plane that you swing the bat is totally different, the mental requirements are different. Rugby and American Football are always compared with both sides ultimately ending up saying 'ours is better...because it is'. You might be great at cricket, you probably wouldn't be (and that is ok because neither are 99.9% of the rest of the people who like the game) but I would leave off using words like 'awesome', 'easier' and 'crush' until the first time you stand there at the crease with somebody running in who is happy to either hit the wicket or you with a ball that can break your ribs.

Not televised, but they do have coverage on Youtube. Jomez Pro is the top dog, CCDG is up there as well. Even though it's on youtube the quality and commentating are top notch! Most coverage is put out the day after (sometimes the day of) and live streaming has picked up in popularity as well. 2018 Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFmEKbAeL0Q

​

I HIGHLY recommend trying it out. Get a start set for ~20$ https://www.amazon.com/Innova-Disc-Golf-3-Disc-Colors/dp/B000Q838XW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=disc+golf+set&qid=1556733164&s=gateway&sr=8-5

​

Check out Danny Lindahl on youtube for some basics. Download uDisc to find local courses, 99% are probably free to play. /r/discgolf is always welcoming!

Thanks, Reddit! This was good fun. Really hope you enjoy my book. https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Class-Teams-Dominate-Others/dp/0812997190 Please see my website and sign up for the newsletter! http://bysamwalker.com Above all, remember: the best team leaders are not always the most obvious candidates!

Get a workout ladder. You probably don't have a pile of step-over bags so this ladder can be a good substitute. Just do things like step-ins, shuffles etc. In regard to hand work, find a tree or pole or something you can use to practice "Quick hands". From your ready position just work on shooting your hands like you're engaging a block. The progress to a shoot and rip, shoot and swim etc. If you do this on a regular basis you'll be in good shape when pre-season comes around.
If you want more specific drills PM me or youtube is always an excellent resource.

Main thing is keeping your cardio in top shape. Run man-makers. You'll look that much better than the other kids who sat around all off-season.

I think this is a tad hyperbolic. Around the time Iverson was getting big I was playing Basketball in High School as well as just being a huge fan of the game itself, I also listened to some Hip-Hop (for me it was mainly just stuff like Jedi Mind Tricks) and Punk and I definitely cannot relate to any "struggle" you speak of, i.e. "struggle with our parents, a struggle for understanding and acceptance." But, to each their own. Iverson wasn't really breaking any new ground by the time he was in the NBA. The whole rebel against so called "white corporate America" and interjecting hip-hop style, etc. had already been going on years before in the early 90's with the Fab 5, and around the same time, from the late 80's through mid-90's you had Arsenio Hall constantly bringing NBA players and Hip-Hop artists on to his show together, there were a few movies that were explicitly showing this pairing, "Above The Rim" with Tupac and some of Spike Lee's earlier documentary stuff, and long before all of this there was "The Bad Boys" of the Detroit Pistons. The aesthetics and the so called "attitude", the public coupling of the culture and the game had already been set in motion long before AI stepped into the league. He definitely added his own flair to it, and he may have breathed new life into it, but he certainly wasn't the architect that so many people seem to give him credit for.

For anyone interested in this, you should check out Todd Boyd's book "Young, Black, Rich and Famous: The Rise of the NBA, The Hip Hop Invasion and the Transformation of American Culture". It's an ugly book but it is pretty much the only book to explain this connection between the NBA and different youth cultures throughout the years especially focusing on Hip-Hop.

I spent a lot of time reading all the Lance Armstrong related books. The best cycling doping book is Tyler Hamilton's. He really explains the process well, but does a great job of helping you understand how mentally you get to the point where you dope. It's a great read.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Secret-Race-Inside-Hidden/dp/034553042X

If you want to learn a little bit of context and history of what English football is all about Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch is a great book written from the perspective of a growing up to be life-long Arsenal fan. Good sense of humor and excellent writing, not some boring paean to sports-fandom. Even my mother like the book and she doesn't know anything about soccer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever_pitch

http://www.amazon.com/Fever-Pitch-Nick-Hornby/dp/1573226882/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254612517&sr=1-1

(In advance, sorry for the plug, you just seemed interested)
If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy reading more about another famous court in NYC, The Cage. This book was actually written by a former professor of mine who was also a former Lehman Brothers bond trader who grew so interested in watching pick-up basketball games after work that he decided to chronicle it (after following games for 20 years there). The professor is a brilliant man who writes very well. I encourage you if you're interested to pick it up.

The book: Inside the Cage
A little on the author: Wight Martindale

Here are the problems with your comment:

First, look at this chart of Islamic populations by country (which is now slightly dated, from 2010). You will see that the top countries of that studies chart don't even combine to represent 1% of the Muslim population!

Second, discounting those countries and contrary to what the essay asserts, having 20+ percent of a counties Muslims say they either support or don't know if they support ISIS is not "overwhelmingly" comforting numbers, as the study portrays them as.

Finally, I reject your assumption that a lack of Muslim support for ISIS evidences a lack of support for jihadism (and other awful, religious inspired practices). The following is from the textbook "Experiencing the Worlds Religions, 4th ed": "Most modern industrial countries expect laws to reflect a kind of civilized minimum, something that all citizens, of any background or belief, can be expected to accept and obey in their public life...Traditional Islam is theocratic, seeking the 'rule of God' in all aspects of everyday life, for in its view there is only one God and one correct religion...There cannot be different sets of laws for different human beings... Muhammed himself... demanded that people who followed tribal folk religion convert to Islam... he allowed Jews and Christians to continue their own laws and practices although they were charged a special tax for this right" (476). (Keep in mind that the first pillar of Islam is that "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammed is his messenger.")

Furthermore, "jihad in arabic means 'strive' or 'struggle.' Two types of jihad are called for in Islam. The first is individual...The second is public; it is the attempt to establish in all of society the Islamic ideals of truth, justice, and morality. When the word 'jihad' is used, the second meaning is the more common... Jihad, because of its importance, has sometimes been called the sixth pillar of Islam... [While] disagreement particularly exists around the use of force[,] Muhammad was a fighter... He endorsed the use of force when he thought it necessary" (494).

I could keep going, conjoining this theocratic picture with nasty passages from the Quran and hadiths. The point is, though, that this is what I mean by "jihadism." And while there surely exist many moderate Muslims, there nevertheless exists a problematic, violently theocratic element within the core tradition of Islam. And when people like yourself try to cover this up or engage in appologetics, though your intentions may be good (viz. to fight bigotry), legitimate concerns and progress on working towards a solution get obfuscated.

check out baseballprospectus.com

Baseball Between the Numbers is good:
http://www.amazon.com/Baseball-Between-Numbers-Everything-About/dp/0465005470/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278466320&sr=8-4

Bill James Historical Abstract is an awesome read. Ranks players throughout history, by position. Needs updating, but still a great read
http://www.amazon.com/Bill-James-Historical-Baseball-Abstract/dp/0743227220/ref=pd_sim_b_4

Also, Fangraphs.com is a good, up and coming site as well.

I've posted about this before. If you read the book Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan, the author explores the gender gap in athletics. His conclusion is the best women athletes are at about the same level as 14-16 year old men. For example, the US Women's National Soccer team scrimmages against U-14, U-15, and U-16 men's club teams. They can beat the U-14 and U-15 teams but get trounced by the U-16 teams. Also, many women's college basketball teams will scrimmage intramural men's teams for practice, and it will be pretty competitive. Additionally, if you look at track-and-field times, women's world records match up well against 14 and 15 year old men's records while the 16 year old men's records will beat the women's world records.

Check out Baseball Between the Numbers. Outstanding look at statistics in baseball and how they are often misused. One of my favorite chapters was about how Pete Incaviglia was more valuable running the bases than Rickey Henderson during his 130 steal season. Really interesting stuff throughout the book.

>Sam Walker makes the case that Jordan wouldn't have won without Cartwright. His team needed a selfless watercarrier to inspire the others to hustle rather than let the self-centered star do it all.

MJ was already implied to be "God-like" since the 80s when Bird said so, in 87'. Before Cartwright was even on the Bulls.

MJ was doing stupid shit right off the bat, out of the draft.

There is 0 chance he only won because of Cartwright. Or even MOSTLY because of Cartwright.

Put him on the Lakers, Celtics, or Pistons in the 80s, and he is winning a ring every year that decade.

In Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan, Gallagher says that the USWNT soccer team will often scrimmage against boys teams. Apparently the USWNT can beat the U13 boys, but not the U15 ones. (Or something like that...) Puberty much?

Edit: fixed the link.

Sam Walker makes the case that Jordan wouldn't have won without Cartwright. His team needed a selfless watercarrier to inspire the others to hustle rather than let the self-centered star do it all.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Only-Game-Town-Sportswriting/dp/1400068029