Staff Highlight: Kathryn Bobel, Premium & Ticket Services Manager

No path to working full-time with the Indianapolis Indians is the same. For Kathryn Bobel, her journey to becoming the organization’s premium & ticket services manager both started and ended at Victory Field.

An Indianapolis native, Bobel graduated from Pike High School in 2005. She then attended Bowling Green State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in sport management (minor in business) in Dec. 2008. Every summer between spring and fall semester, Bobel worked at Victory Field as a guest relations game day employee primarily on suite level. Following college graduation, she moved to North Carolina and worked for the Single-A Hickory Crawdads in the South Atlantic League. She spent nearly five years there as director of group sales before making the jump to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, where she started as an account executive and eventually ascended to director of group sales. Then in 2016 – with eight years of minor league experience under her belt – Bobel became a season ticket service representative with the Chicago Cubs. One World Series championship and three years later, she found her way back to the Indians and Victory Field where it all began, rejoining the front office in May 2019 as premium services & events coordinator.

Bobel’s incredible work ethic and community involvement recently led to her being named as a finalist for the 2021 Indy’s Best & Brightest awards.

Favorite part of working for the Indians?

I grew up going to games at Bush Stadium and then was a Knot Hole Kids Club member at Victory Field. After being away for almost 15 years, I’m back where my family is, and I walk into the best ballpark in Minor League Baseball every day to work alongside tremendous people.

What do you remember most about your experiences as a young fan at Bush Stadium and/or Victory Field?

I remember watching the Boone brothers, Pokey Reese, Paul Konerko. One parent would take my little sister home in the fifth or sixth inning, and I would stay with the other parent until the end of the game. I have a picture of me running the bases at Victory Field when I was a Knot Hole Kids Club member. I also remember coming to Victory Field in summer 2005 for game day employee orientation in the third base suite lounge. I was hired as a guest relations game day employee and worked at the suite level desk where I am currently stationed on game days today. All roads lead home!

What are you most proud of in your time with the Indians?

Being so welcomed by existing staff – people here with the Indians are the friendliest, hardest working group of folks, and I’m extremely thankful to be part of that. Nobody compares to the people who work in Minor League Baseball.

The Indians are the third minor league organization you’ve worked with, in addition to your three-year stint with the Chicago Cubs. Which level of baseball is more satisfying to you and why?

I really enjoy Minor League Baseball because of what a ballpark and team can mean to their communities. Your coworkers aren’t just coworkers, they’re your friends and extended family members. The importance of MiLB teams as a community resource – even outside of baseball games – and how they can bring together the citizens that reside in those cities is very special.

What words of advice would you have for someone considering on attending an Indians game at Victory Field?

Attend a Friday Fireworks game. Going to an Indians game is appropriate for any member of your family, from grandparents to newborns. Be ready to be surrounded by people who are appreciative that you are there. You’ll see a ton of smiles, and it’s all really genuine.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Anytime that I can spend with my parents, even if it’s just hanging out on the back patio at their house in the suburbs, is wonderful. My boyfriend Ryan and I like to check out restaurants, breweries, and wineries in the area, and hopefully attending any NASCAR race within a 200-mile radius.

Outside of baseball, what else are you passionate about?

Besides working in baseball, I’m very passionate about being involved in the community. Since my return to the Circle City, I had the opportunity to join Sports Circle Indy (SCI), a local non-profit bringing sports professionals together for educational and networking opportunities, as their sales & client services committee co-chair.