Staff Highlight: Ty Eaton, Ticket Sales Account Executive

For some, going from earning a degree in broadcast journalism to a 10-year career in ticket sales might sound like a sidestep. For Ty Eaton, it was all about being in a role where he can talk about the game he loves.

A 2009 graduate of Franklin College, about three hours away from his hometown of Valparaiso, Ind., Eaton spent a lot of his time talking into a microphone. Those skills and his passion for communication – and for baseball – transfer directly into the foundation of his everyday life.

If you search ‘Indianapolis Indians Air Guitar’ on YouTube, you’ll come across a video of Eaton rocking out as part of the annual Intern Olympics during a game in 2011. That’s where his career with the Indians and the jump to sport ticket sales began, and since then he’s been cultivating relationships with clients to help the organization thrive – all while having fun.

Favorite thing about coming to the ballpark every day?

I’ve gotten to know a lot of my season ticket holders pretty well. I’ve been here for 10 years, and those who come out on a regular basis have turned into family. It’s always a great feeling when I walk by and see them sitting in their seats. It’s those visits where I get to sit next to them, catch up, talk some baseball and we can take it all in together.

How have you grown over the course of your career here?

I have a journalism degree in broadcasting, and I wasn’t sure where that was going to go. Finding myself in a role where I’m on the phone and painting a picture of the ballpark, it’s communication heavy. I’ve gotten to enhance those skills and it was a natural fit. It’s remarkable how it all happened.

How did that journalism background turn into a sales career?

I knew I was going to be successful at this. I’m a baseball nut, I grew up with it. As a kid, I used to fall asleep with the [White] Sox games on the radio. I knew I belonged in a job where I could talk baseball, so when this job came up there wasn’t any doubt that I was going to enjoy it.

What drew you to sales?

The painting of the picture, getting an idea of what they wanted and exceeding those expectations, that was the goal. The sales part of it was never alluring to me, just the communications aspect of it. I get paid to talk baseball.

What type of broadcasting did you do in college?

I got to broadcast baseball, basketball and volleyball games. I guess the dream goal was to get a broadcasting gig somewhere. I also had a weekly radio show with the school radio station with a buddy called “Friday Night Live.”

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to golf; I love to go fishing. Fishing and golf have a lot in common. Golf might be the greatest individual challenge that someone can accept; 18 holes of problem solving and challenging your own abilities to find the perfect shot. Like fishing, you go out and dream of what's to come. The imagination of what's underneath you and if you're able to achieve success at just the right moment. There are so many unknowns in golf and fishing, it brings out the dreamer in all of us. Perhaps the best thing about both is leaving your ego behind. As soon as you think you got it figured out, you snap a line or shank it into the woods. It will humble you up real quick.

There's nothing better than coming home to a happy dog who's been missing you all day. My dog Ray, AKA Ray Ray, AKA Raymond is my motivating force of comfort. Ray loves being on a boat and going for walks. We try to do both as much as we can.

I’m also kind of a stand-up comedy junkie, I can’t help but dive into several Netflix specials or podcasts. It’s just that communication side of things, you hear the different nuances and what gets reactions out of people. I can’t even call it a hobby; I just have a lot of respect for it.

What are your future goals?

I want to get in that radio booth. To me, I don’t think there’s any better job than getting in there and becoming the voice of the Indianapolis Indians. I've recently started doing more voiceover work for the 2021 season. You'll be hearing more of me throughout Victory Field in 2021!