Fresno's Young motivated to empower others

During Minor League Baseball’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and #ForTheLoveOfBéisbol from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Más Allá del Diamante will feature a Hispanic, Latino, Latina and Latinxs leader from an MiLB community. In this edition, we visit with Jazzmine Young, partnership services manager for the Fresno Grizzlies (Fresno Lowriders, Copa de la Diversión).

Minor League Baseball (MiLB): How did you start your career in baseball?

Jazzmine Young: I started as a volunteer my sophomore year at Washington State University, which opened the door to a credited internship for a few years, followed by my first full time job with Arizona Diamondbacks.

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MiLB: What did your family say about you wanting to work in sports?

JY: My parents thought it sounded like a fun career but were a little skeptical at first, especially when I was about to graduate. At the time, I was having trouble finding entry-level jobs, and this made them worry that there wasn’t enough opportunity. They would suggest looking for jobs in broadcasting since I was a communications major. I think once I was hired with the D-backs, it was that moment they realized their daughter had a shot at a career in sports.

MiLB: Who’s your favorite player from the Fresno Grizzlies?

JY: Tim Lincecum. The first time I ever saw him play was with the Grizzlies when I was 12 years old. I got to see him pitch again in person a couple years later when my parents took me to my first San Francisco Giants game.

MiLB: Would you do something differently in your career?

JY: If I wasn’t working in sports, I’d probably be working for a nonprofit organization. Even though I work in sponsorships, community engagement has a special place in my heart. I do plan on starting my own nonprofit organization down the road and would consider leaving sports to work on it full time.

MiLB: How much does your identity as a Hispanic, Latina play a role in your current role?

JY: Fresno has a very large Hispanic population and I feel being a Latina and growing up in the culture gives me a better perspective on what our community is looking for in family entertainment. I’m able to give my best recommendations to my team and partners by using my knowledge from my own cultural experiences.

MiLB: Who is your role model and why?

JY: My mother. She is always challenging herself to learn and grow, especially within her career. She doesn’t let her job title be an excuse for not putting in the effort to teach yourself skills that are not asked of you but are helpful to have. There’s a lot of lessons she teaches me without actually speaking on them, and she teaches by example. Her growth mindset is what I admire most.

MiLB: What is the best part of your job?

JY: Watching a fan have a “first time” experience at the ballpark. To watch a fan experience his or her first field tour, player meet and greet, or run the bases for the first time and be smiling ear to ear is the best part of my job.

MiLB: What is your dream job?

JY: It’s cheesy, but I am currently at my dream job. I know my current position as partnership services manager is not going to be the peak of my career. I do plan on moving up, but having the opportunity to work in sports, especially baseball, is my dream.

MiLB: What motivates you?

JY: I am motivated by the constant challenge of personal growth. I believe that makes me the best teammate and is the reason I’m in my position today. I say yes to most opportunities because I know I always have something to learn or even teach.

MiLB: What advice would you give to other Hispanics, Latinos and Latinxs who are looking to break into the sports industry?

JY: My advice is there is space for us to occupy. What happens on the field is just a game, but the true experience for fans takes place off the field. That’s where we can embrace and share our beautiful cultures with each other making us a more united community.