Not many people can say that the Nationals Park press box is their part-time office.
But Melanie Martinez-Lopez ‘23 is one of the lucky few who commutes to the Washington Nationals home stadium almost weekly. A Digital Content Diversity Fellow with Major League Baseball, she has spent the last seven months reporting on players, games and trends in the big leagues.
“It’s not every day you get to say that the ballpark is your office,” Martinez-Lopez said. “I feel so immensely lucky to have the opportunity to spend so much time immersed in baseball and the world of sports communications.”
Sports have always been an important part of Martinez-Lopez’s life. The Fredericksburg, Va. native played soccer throughout high school and sought out a university where she could perform at a high level in all aspects of her life.
“I was looking for a college with a great women’s soccer program, but also great academics,” Martinez-Lopez explained. “After talking to the soccer coach and touring campus, I knew Marymount would be perfect. I loved the small community and knew that being so close to D.C. would open up many career opportunities for me.”
While at Marymount, Martinez-Lopez studied Communication and worked part-time with the Marymount Athletics communications department, editing highlight reels for its social media channels. She credits that experience with setting her on a career trajectory in sports marketing and communications.
After graduation, she enhanced her résumé as a high school sports reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. While there, she came across the opportunity to apply for MLB’s Content Diversity Fellowship.
“I never in a million years thought I would get invited back for an interview, and then another, and then actually get offered the position!”
Martinez-Lopez started work this February and has since covered MLB Spring Training games, Nationals home games and the occasional Orioles game in Baltimore. Working in baseball, she has learned to be prepared to pivot at any moment.
“There is no day-to-day schedule, every day is completely different,” she said. “You have to be flexible and willing to take on anything. Like a batter stepping up to the plate, you have to be able to adjust to whatever the pitcher throws at you.”
Since beginning as a Digital Content Diversity Fellow, Martinez-Lopez has had quite a bit thrown at her. She writes articles focused on the minor leagues for MLB’s Pipeline website some days, while other times she’s on the road covering the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania or the MLB World Tour games in London.
Her favorite days, however, have been those spent interviewing coaches and players at Nationals Park. As a fluent Spanish speaker, she is often tasked with interviewing Hispanic players in Spanish to get their perspectives on the games.
“I feel amazing in those moments because being bilingual becomes my superpower,” Martinez-Lopez explained. “Some of these players don’t speak English well and often aren’t able to share what they are thinking or feeling. Being bilingual, I can give them that voice back and help them tell their stories, which is an amazing feeling.”
Although diversity is increasing in the sports industry, Martinez-Lopez says there can still be more representation for women and people of color.
“There are very few women, especially Latinas, working in the professional sports industry. Often, I am the only woman in the room and the only Hispanic person. It can be intimidating.”
However, she is excited to pave the way for the next generation of Latina reporters and sportscasters.
“I’m beyond honored and grateful to be one of the people making space for Latinas in sports. I want to show little Latina girls they can be anything they want. Their Spanish is a superpower and they can use it to make a difference.”
As the fellowship draws to a close, Martinez-Lopez hopes other students of color will consider taking a chance on their dreams.
“The only person that can stop you is yourself. Seize every opportunity and, if people think that you don’t belong, prove to them that you do. Work hard, build connections and know that you are forging a path for the next person.”
