For the July edition of the Little League® Staff Spotlights, enjoy this first-person letter from Kevin Feinberg, Director of Partnerships, as he walks you through his journey:
Baseball is part of my identity
Since day one, growing up in Mount Airy, Maryland, there have been many lessons, Little League® memories, and experiences that shaped who I am today. But, funny enough, nothing has taught me more about myself than the team I grew up cheering for, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Every year, I get the same question from my friends “Who is going to win the MLB World Series this year?”, and every year, I give them the same answer, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Sure, they may laugh and tell me all the reasons why it won’t happen, or how it may seem analytically impossible. But no matter what, I believe in them, and that is good enough for me.
Belief is something that has stayed with me throughout my career. If I can believe in the Phillies doing the impossible, why can’t I believe in myself doing the same?
Finding my Passion
My career path wasn’t a straight line. There were plenty of twists and turns, but believing in myself helped guide me to where I am today.
Growing up and throughout my time at Temple University, I always knew I wanted to work in sports but wasn’t sure in what capacity. In high school, I developed a strong interest in business related courses. With encouragement from my dad, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in something I would truly love. Eventually, I found exactly what that was.
Prior to Little League, I had the opportunity to work with several sports organizations throughout Philadelphia from Temple Athletics to Comcast Spectator. Each experience helped me discover my passion for sponsorship marketing – especially in baseball.
That passion led me to spend some time with the Philadelphia Phillies, where I worked in their Community Relations Department as a 50/50 Charity Raffle Seller on game days, and later to Goodyear, Arizona, where I spent a few months as a Corporate Partnerships Intern at Cleveland and Cincinnati’s Spring Training homes.
As grateful as I am for those opportunities, I always felt like I was working towards something bigger. I didn’t know where or what that was, but believing there was something more kept me going.
Working at Little League
The opportunity to work at Little League came at one of the most unexpected times, but as my mom always says, everything happens for a reason.
After spending countless hours searching every job website imaginable, I came across the Little League job posting. I still remember looking at the position and thinking back to all my memories as a kid. Throwing a ball in the backyard with my dad, riding in the car with my mom as she drove me to practices, and calling my team “the Twins” because half of our team was made up of them.
From my very first interview, it felt like the perfect fit, and since I have been hired, that feeling never wavered.
What motivates me every day is the constant reminder of how the game of baseball shaped me into who I am today. It taught me work ethic, teamwork, and confidence that I carry with me every day. Having the opportunity to play even a small role in helping the next generation experience those same lessons through baseball and softball is incredibly rewarding.
If I had to choose my favorite parts of the job, they would fall into two categories: the people and the experiences.
During my time at Little League, I have had the privilege of meeting and working alongside incredible colleagues, dedicated partners, and ambassadors of the game. Most importantly, my time at Little League also led me to meeting my wife, making this journey even more meaningful.
Advice for the Next Generation
Keep your options open and don’t limit yourself; you are capable of incredible things.
The sports industry is incredibly competitive, and as a 21-year-old looking for a job after college, I would never have imagined where I am today.
If you’re willing to bet on yourself and put in the time to stand out, the opportunities will present themselves.
And, sometimes, despite the odds or how analytically impossible your dreams may be, if you believe in yourself, it might surprise you just how far you’ll go.
This feature is part of a series of Little League International Staff Spotlights, highlighting the career journey of the organization’s employees, which began during Little League’s Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Celebration (LittleLeague.org/GWG50) in 2024.