Looking for info/help re: MLB press and comms

[DutchBall]

Hey everyone! I'm new here, just found this forum in my endless search for information on the topic at hand. Hope someone here has the key to my issues.

Quick backstory: I'm a European (Dutch) part-time baseball writer for a large American Sports website in the Benelux/Dutch language area (I know, not that big an area, but still). I also produce and host a weekly MLB podcast for the website. I travel to the US quite frequently (at least twice a year), and I have been looking for a way to use my trips for website related stuff (interviews, behind the scenes stuff. Baseball is small here, but growing, so showing people what it's all about is what we're trying to do).

In February, I went to Florida and tried to combine my trip with some Spring Training (this was the week before games started). I reached out to MLB Credentials beforehand, in an attempt to get a press pass for Spring Training and visit a few organizations. MLB's Credentials dept. re-directed me to the teams ("they have to give you access to the Credentials website"), so I contacted multiple teams. Only the Blue Jays replied and gave me the email address of their Media Communications guy. He replied (once, then went silent), sending me back to the Credentials dept. at MLB... who referred me back to the teams etc.

In the end, I never quite got anywhere. In the meantime I had gained access to MLB PressBox, but I have not been able find any information on who to contact. My question to any of you who may know: it is my understanding that one team needs to grant me access to the Credentials site, so I can apply for credentials for all teams. However, teams are not responding. What is the way to go from here? Anyone have any experience in this?

I've had colleagues succesfully get credentialed years ago, before the current credential system was in place, but things are different now. Over here, getting credentialed to professional sporting events works differently (send an e-mail with a request and information about your publication, they check if you're legit, and you're good to go). MLB's system is easy once you're in, but hard to crack.

Apologies for the long story. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

Serious replies, please. I don't have this information...but hopefully someone does.

 

[cranberry]

Are you being specific about the day and purpose (to interview xxxx about xxxxx) of your visit when you contact the clubs' media relations people?

 

[DutchBall]

Are you being specific about the day and purpose (to interview xxxx about xxxxx) of your visit when you contact the clubs' media relations people?

I was during Spring Training. Gave them the full outline of my purpose of visit and everything. The problem is that they immediately say: "You have to go through the credentials website at MLB.com", which a club has to grant me access to, before I can apply. It's my understanding that one club has to provide me with a user/login, after which I can apply with any club for any event, series or game. The problem is, the clubs don't seem to want to provide the login credentials.

 

[georgealfano]

Sometimes a telephone call might help, although I realize that might be expensive/difficult/problems with time.

Your idea about contacting the media person is correct, but I might try to do it on a letterhead of your organization. Ask for a form to obtain credentials.

I would also try to contact teams who have members of the Netherlands team on their major league rosters. Include something which you and/or the organization have published to show you are a legitimate reporter. If it is in another language, provide a translation.

Good Luck. (or Geluk)

 

[jimluttrell1963]

Might also try reaching out to the Baseball Writers of America. there's an email on their site: [email protected]

Not sure how closely that's monitored, though. If you want to send me your email or other contact info through private message, I'll try to get it into someone's hands who can help.

Good luck

 

[GBNF]

I covered the Dodgers and they were typically very helpful with credential issues. Have you tried them directly?