Baseball GM and Scouting FAQ

Becoming a Baseball Scout or General Manager

Do I need to have played professional baseball to work in a front office?

No. A playing career is not required to work in baseball operations. A passion for the game, smart choices, tenacity, and the right training and contacts matter most. SMWW’s Baseball GM and Scouting course helps you build both what you know and who you know. If you want an internship with a professional or collegiate team, SMWW’s Sports Sales and Marketing course is a strong starting point.

What does a baseball scout do?

A baseball scout evaluates amateur and professional players by watching games, grading tools and performance, and writing scouting reports that help the team decide whom to draft, sign, or trade for. The role combines traditional observation with statistical analysis.

What does a baseball general manager do?

A baseball general manager leads the baseball operations department, overseeing player acquisition, roster construction, scouting, player development, contracts, and the draft. SMWW’s course teaches how front offices make those decisions, taught by a former Los Angeles Dodgers GM.

What jobs does the Baseball GM and Scouting course prepare me for?

The course prepares graduates for jobs in scouting, player personnel, and baseball operations. Course topics include the MLB collective bargaining agreement, sabermetrics, scouting techniques, scouting reports, draft analysis, player evaluation, general manager practices, and statistical analysis formulas.

How else can I break into the baseball world?

You could become a sports agent and work your way up, as Jeff Moorad did before becoming CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks. SMWW’s Baseball Agent course is an option for people who have families or cannot leave a current job.

Can I take the course if I work full time?

Yes. The course is online, so you can keep your current career while you build a new one in sports. Many SMWW students become agents or scouts while continuing their regular jobs, and the live sessions are archived if you miss one.

About the SMWW Baseball GM and Scouting Course

Will the Baseball GM and Scouting course help me get a job?

It can help, though no course can guarantee a job. For eight weeks you learn alongside Dan Evans, Hank Jones, Dr. Lashbrook, and classmates who want baseball careers, including scouts, coaches, and players. You also learn the techniques and strategies that Major and Minor League teams use. The knowledge and the contacts you make can be what beats out the competition for a job.

Who teaches the Baseball GM and Scouting course?

The course is taught by Dan Evans, a former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager, and Hank Jones, a veteran MLB scout with roughly forty years of experience. Each leads a live, one hour video chat every week, and Dr. Lashbrook leads a weekly job strategies chat with students from all courses.

What happens after I complete the course?

You receive an SMWW Certificate of Accomplishment, and SMWW helps you redesign your resume to highlight your new skills and list Dan Evans and Hank Jones as references. Graduates are also invited to apply for SMWW Scout, SMWW’s network of scouts working across sports worldwide.

What is the difference between Sports Sales and Marketing and Baseball GM and Scouting?

Sports Sales and Marketing prepares you for an entry level job in any professional sports organization and includes a course project with a major or minor league team, and graduates often become account executives. Baseball GM and Scouting is pure baseball, focused on sabermetrics, scouting, player personnel, and operations. If you want a career in professional baseball, taking both is a smart combination.

How is the Baseball GM and Scouting course taught online?

The course combines live video chats with an interactive online classroom that includes discussion boards, weekly quizzes, and course projects. The chats happen from your computer, so there is no commuting. Guest speakers from the team sports industry join to do informal interviews with students.

What kind of network does SMWW have in sports?

SMWW has more than 30,000 alumni in 163 countries, and your instructors’ professional contacts are a major part of what you can tap into. Hiring executives recognize SMWW on a resume.

Do I need special equipment, technical skills, a degree, or a minimum age?

You need a computer with internet access, and course books are mailed directly to you. SMWW’s technical support team will help with anything from microphone setup to troubleshooting. You must be eighteen or older, and no college degree is required.

What if I need one-on-one assistance?

SMWW staff are available by phone throughout the course for one on one help with coursework, live sessions, or career questions. Call 1 877 SMWW NOW in the United States and Canada, +44 0 871 288 4799 in the United Kingdom, or +1 503 445 7105 from anywhere else. Our offices are in Portland, Oregon, and London, England.

Do you have more questions?

Call the office and ask! 1-877-SMWW-Now in the US or Canada. In London at +44(0) 871 288 4799 Everywhere else at +1-503-445-7105

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Learn More About Becoming a Baseball GM and Scouting Student Learn More About Becoming a
Baseball GM and Scouting Student

We want to help you find the right course for your career. Fill out the form below and an SMWW Career Counselor will follow up directly with you. We want to help you find the right course for your career. Fill out the form below and an
SMWW Career Counselor will follow up directly with you.

CONNECT WITH A
CAREER COUNSELOR CONNECT WITH A CAREER COUNSELOR

The SMWW Team will contact you
within one business day. The SMWW Team will contact you within one business day.

Success Stories

Marc Roche
Minor League Operations Assistant at Pittsburgh Pirates
Michael DeCicco
Baseball Performance Center Data Analyst
Alexandria Woody
- LA Angels Minor League Video Coordinator
James Badas
- Washington Nationals Assistant Director of Baseball Operations
Ron Knight
- Atlanta Braves Director of Minor League Operations
Brett Down
- Chicago Cubs Video and Technology Intern
Omar Aguilar
- Milwaukee Brewers Performance Science Intern
Kevin Ackerman
- Trenton Thunder Group Sales Account Representative
Dave Yount
Milwaukee Brewers Data Tracking Operator
Christopher Turrisi
- San Diego Padres Performance Analyst

Testimonials:

Chris O'Keefe

I have learned quite a bit via the Baseball Scouting and General Manager Course, it has taught me about how to scout baseball talent and how to grade them, the different materials used are very valuable, Rob did a very nice job in the chats and how our class applies to what we do. I have been a employee of the Boeing Company for over 28 years, I am currently working as a bird dawg or associate scout for the Minnesota Twins.

Chris O'Keefe

I have learned quite a bit via the Baseball Scouting and General Manager Course, it has taught me about how to scout baseball talent and how to grade them, the different materials used are very valuable, Rob did a very nice job in the chats and how our class applies to what we do. I have been a employee of the Boeing Company for over 28 years, I am currently working as a bird dawg or associate scout for the Minnesota Twins.
Jake Sanders: Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals

I'd just like to toss a big thank you out to Dr. Lashbrook for his vision in developing such a great company which has enabled so many of us to break into the sports industry. My advice to ANYONE who is on the fence about taking an SMWW course is this: take the plunge! You won't regret it. I am proof that it's not too good to be true. The sports professionals at SMWW gave me the specific knowledge and training to enter this field and to market myself.

Jake Sanders: Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals
I'd just like to toss a big thank you out to Dr. Lashbrook for his vision in developing such a great company which has enabled so many of us to break into the sports industry. My advice to ANYONE who is on the fence about taking an SMWW course is this: take the plunge! You won't regret it. I am proof that it's not too good to be true. The sports professionals at SMWW gave me the specific knowledge and training to enter this field and to market myself.
Jerome Differding

SMWW allowed me the connections and opportunities to interact with MLB personnel. I was able to set up and conduct a face to face interview with Minnesota Twins GM Terry Ryan. SMWW also gave me the skill to market myself to get my feet in the baseball door.

Jerome Differding

SMWW allowed me the connections and opportunities to interact with MLB personnel. I was able to set up and conduct a face to face interview with Minnesota Twins GM Terry Ryan. SMWW also gave me the skill to market myself to get my feet in the baseball door.
Joe Piraino

I have been looking for a course that teaches the in's and out's of the baseball world and although I had been reading an assortment of baseball books I still felt like I was missing something. I did a search on the internet for sports management schools and while their curriculum was good, they lacked the networking aspect with some of the top names in baseball. I came across Sports Management Worldwide and it was exactly what I was looking for. I got the chance to speak with Rob Neyer on a weekly basis whom has worked side by side with Bill James (Now and executive with the Boston Red Sox) and got first hand knowledge of the baseball world including business, scouting, general management, ect. I would recommend this course for anybody that has the desire to break surface knowledge of the baseball world. It's been a joy learning with Rob, and Dr. Lashbrook!

Joe Piraino

I have been looking for a course that teaches the in's and out's of the baseball world and although I had been reading an assortment of baseball books I still felt like I was missing something. I did a search on the internet for sports management schools and while their curriculum was good, they lacked the networking aspect with some of the top names in baseball. I came across Sports Management Worldwide and it was exactly what I was looking for. I got the chance to speak with Rob Neyer on a weekly basis whom has worked side by side with Bill James (Now and executive with the Boston Red Sox) and got first hand knowledge of the baseball world including business, scouting, general management, ect. I would recommend this course for anybody that has the desire to break surface knowledge of the baseball world. It's been a joy learning with Rob, and Dr. Lashbrook!
Luke Sugg

I would have to say, the experience I received from SMWW will benefit me later on with whatever sporting career I choose to pursue. Even if you are a baseball wizard and know everything, I bet this course will teach you stuff you have never learned before, they go inside baseball and teach you things that are important.

Luke Sugg

I would have to say, the experience I received from SMWW will benefit me later on with whatever sporting career I choose to pursue. Even if you are a baseball wizard and know everything, I bet this course will teach you stuff you have never learned before, they go inside baseball and teach you things that are important.
Philip Nestler

I am so happy I decided to take the Sports Business Management course. Being such a huge sports fan and not really knowing how to land a job in sports, SMWW paved the way for my dream of working in sports. The course was so much fun and I learned so much in the 8 weeks. I now work for the NEW YORK METS! I would recommend this class to any sports fan!

Philip Nestler

I am so happy I decided to take the Sports Business Management course. Being such a huge sports fan and not really knowing how to land a job in sports, SMWW paved the way for my dream of working in sports. The course was so much fun and I learned so much in the 8 weeks. I now work for the NEW YORK METS! I would recommend this class to any sports fan!
Philip Nicoletti

Associate Scout, Cleveland Indians

Taking SMWW's Baseball GM & Scouting course was one of the best decisions I have made. I learned so many valuable skills which will give me an edge in my career. I have since been named an Associate Scout with the Cleveland Indians. SMWW is definitely a course I recommend to anyone looking to break into the baseball world.

Philip Nicoletti

Associate Scout, Cleveland Indians
Taking SMWW's Baseball GM & Scouting course was one of the best decisions I have made. I learned so many valuable skills which will give me an edge in my career. I have since been named an Associate Scout with the Cleveland Indians. SMWW is definitely a course I recommend to anyone looking to break into the baseball world.
Randy Amimoto

I completed the Baseball Management and Scouting class back in December 2005. This was the best class I have ever taken. The best part about this class is that you get a better understanding of why general managers keep or trade certain players using sabermetrics. Also learning the baseball lingo the scouts use was helpful. Rob's insights and knowledge of baseball made this a fun and enjoyable class. I highly recommend taking this class if you are a baseball enthusiast.

Randy Amimoto

I completed the Baseball Management and Scouting class back in December 2005. This was the best class I have ever taken. The best part about this class is that you get a better understanding of why general managers keep or trade certain players using sabermetrics. Also learning the baseball lingo the scouts use was helpful. Rob's insights and knowledge of baseball made this a fun and enjoyable class. I highly recommend taking this class if you are a baseball enthusiast.
Nathan Erbach

The biggest thing I learned from the GM & Scouting class is how important building connections & relationships and putting yourself out there is to not only getting your foot in the door but lasting in this industry really is. For the most part, all of us have the tools to scout. We can sharpen those tools and learn different things, but without the relationships and understanding the makeup of players and colleagues it is a tough hill to climb to be successful. This course has provided me the ability to get my name out there and I have been able to connect with scouts and front office personnel throughout the baseball industry, and it has even led to opportunities in my area

Nathan Erbach

The biggest thing I learned from the GM & Scouting class is how important building connections & relationships and putting yourself out there is to not only getting your foot in the door but lasting in this industry really is. For the most part, all of us have the tools to scout. We can sharpen those tools and learn different things, but without the relationships and understanding the makeup of players and colleagues it is a tough hill to climb to be successful. This course has provided me the ability to get my name out there and I have been able to connect with scouts and front office personnel throughout the baseball industry, and it has even led to opportunities in my area
James Weissinger

James Weissinger

Before starting the Baseball GM and Scouting Course with Hank and Dan I had zero idea what I was getting myself into. I personally felt I wasn't going to be able to finish the course and thought I was way in over my head. I couldn't have been more wrong about what I thought. This course taught me so much and even opened my eyes to a whole new perspective about the game of baseball that I never understood or thought about in the past. Hank and Dan are brilliant baseball minds and I couldn't have asked for a better set of people to teach me about the front office and scouting side of baseball. I highly recommend this course to anyone that's looking to start a career in an MLB front office.

James Weissinger

James Weissinger
Before starting the Baseball GM and Scouting Course with Hank and Dan I had zero idea what I was getting myself into. I personally felt I wasn't going to be able to finish the course and thought I was way in over my head. I couldn't have been more wrong about what I thought. This course taught me so much and even opened my eyes to a whole new perspective about the game of baseball that I never understood or thought about in the past. Hank and Dan are brilliant baseball minds and I couldn't have asked for a better set of people to teach me about the front office and scouting side of baseball. I highly recommend this course to anyone that's looking to start a career in an MLB front office.
William Gross

SMWWW is the absolute initial step needed if you are interested in a career in baseball" "In just eight weeks I was able to confidently grasp the competencies needed to be an MLB amateur scout!" "I would highly recommend SMWW's Scouting and GM course. Learning the "tips and tricks" and the "inside view" of the trade from industry professionals was tremendous. Hank Jones and Dan Evans ROCK!

William Gross

SMWWW is the absolute initial step needed if you are interested in a career in baseball" "In just eight weeks I was able to confidently grasp the competencies needed to be an MLB amateur scout!" "I would highly recommend SMWW's Scouting and GM course. Learning the "tips and tricks" and the "inside view" of the trade from industry professionals was tremendous. Hank Jones and Dan Evans ROCK!