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Get Scouted Scouting CareersNSR standout’s dreams coming true after all
Former NSR baseball prospect, Patrick O’Malley, grew up just knowing he was going to play second base for the Florida Marlins. That was his dream. Somewhere along the line, though, that dream faded. But the Ormond Beach native’s love for the game never wavered. That’s why, throughout this spring training, the two-time Daytona News-Journal All-Area First-team selection has worked as an intern for the Washington Nationals. No regular pay, a 90-minute commute, the opportunity to clean up stadium bathrooms and countless other odd jobs around Space Coast Stadium was an offer too good for O’Malley to refuse. In fact, he considers himself lucky to have gotten his foot in the door of professional baseball.
“I hated leaving the game when I was done with college,” O’Malley said while the Nationals hosted the Houston Astros on Monday afternoon. “Like every (young baseball player), it was my dream to play (professionally). I look back, and I had a nice high school career and college career.”
O’Malley was a standout second baseman at Father Lopez and played four years at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. After graduating with a marketing degree, he joined his father, Pat, working in furniture sales. But he felt that something was missing, and now was the time to do something about it.
“I missed being around baseball,” the 25-year-old said. “I wanted to give it a shot off the field.”
So when a friend got an internship with the Nationals, O’Malley asked if the team had room for one more. It just so happened they did. So throughout spring training, whether the Nationals have a home game or not, O’Malley has reported to the ballpark with a smile on his face.
“I’m willing to work from the bottom up,” O’Malley said. “I understand that you have to work your way up, especially in baseball. I’ve talked to people in the business who told me their first job was picking up garbage.”
Yes, O’Malley does that, too — pick up garbage around the stadium — but he’s also gotten to learn much about ballpark and clubhouse operations that could help him get an entry-level job working in minor league baseball. Interning is almost a must these days to get into the business side of baseball.
“I think most people who now work in baseball have been an intern,” said Jon Tosches, manager of Florida operations for the Nationals. “And once you get an internship, it’s pretty much what you make of it. I think Pat has made the most of it. We give him a lot to do now because we trust him.”
O’Malley’s background in baseball and willingness to work have allowed the Nationals to put him to work around the major league players, Tosches said.
“You can tell he’s been around baseball, and that helps,” Tosches said. “He’s helped out a lot on the visiting clubhouse side.”
There have been plenty of moments this spring that have made it worth the effort, O’Malley said. From assisting stadium guests to moving baseball equipment from the bus to clubhouse, there’s always something to keep him on the move. O’Malley conceded he hasn’t completely given up swinging a bat, however, and a couple of times he’s given into temptation while doing one of his intern duties — blowing out the batting cages.
“I’ve taken a few swings in the cage when nobody’s looking,” he admitted with a smile.
So as Major League Baseball teams wind down their spring training in Florida, interns like O’Malley hope for a job opportunity in pro baseball.
“It’s definitely been a cool experience,” O’Malley said. “I definitely want to get a job in baseball. I’ll keep on working at it.”
Patrick’s NSR scout was North Central Florida AD, Dave Johnson. This article was written by Shawn Kernan, a staff writer for the Daytona News-Journal.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.