Opening Day! April 6th, 2015

Megan and I on the field for Opening Day!

First off, BASEBALL IS BACK!  Oh how I've missed baseball season.  Baseball represents so many things for so many people, but baseball means summer is coming and I couldn't wish for anything more!

I was selected to be the third base ballgirl on the field for Opening Day, and I was absolutely thrilled and immediately nervous-excited!  We play the Red Sox. What if I mess up?  There will be SO MANY PEOPLE THERE TO SEE ME MESS UP!  But then I remember that I am not a rookie anymore, and I've totally got this!  This year, I am a leader and it's time to step up to the plate.

Opening Day was probably the most incredible day I have worked as a ballgirl! The game was sold out, and the crowd was electric with excitement at the return of baseball season.  The weather was absolutely PERFECT being sunny and 70 degrees, and it couldn't have possibly been a better day for baseball.  Dan Baker announces the Red Sox, and the crowd erupts in applause when it was Victorino's turn as this is his first return since signing with Boston.  He announces the boys in pinstripes and the stadium is alive! The Phillies are home!

There were three ceremonial first pitches thrown, the first being Julie Kramer, the local cancer survivor whom Chase Utley surprised on the Ellen Show!  Meg and I met her, and we couldn't tell who was a bigger fan of the other, her or us! She was so nice, and she throws like a pro!

Opening Day ceremony.  The ballgirls are right behind home plate!

I then stand along with my fellow vets Meg, Sam and Erin at home plate for the National Anthem, and the whole stadium rises.  Members of our great Armed Forces bring out the flags, and spread out the enormous flag in the outfield.  FUN FACT: I get the chills every time they hit the high note of "laaaand of the freeeee," and today I teared up.  The chills were never stronger.  They zoomed in on our service men and I thought of my friends overseas, and it was very real experience for me, and I am reminded how fortunate I am to be where I am today.

As I run down the line, I hear the crowd roar as the Phillies leave the dugout and take the field! I take my place on the stool and proceed to make friends in the crowd for my favorite 9 innings on baseball so far this season. Although the Phillies fell to the Sox, the game was still busy for me on line.

Every time the crowd threw back a Sox home run ball, I had to run and get it. And there was at least three! The first one a guy threw back, and it almost reached Freddie Galvis at short stop! I noticed it had writing on it, but I ran it to the crowd and handed it to the first kid I saw and returned to my stool.  In the middle of the inning, I asked the family to see the ball, and it said:

"THIS IS A BATTING PRACTICE BALL...I got the real one!"........ This fan came prepared!  He swapped out a different ball and kept the real home run ball!  While it's not the real home run ball, this family definitely has a story to tell about their time at Opening Day!

The last ball I had to get was a grand slam ball that hit the foul pole net and rolled on the ground.  Ben Revere tossed it to me and I gave it to a surprised little boy in the crowd!  The game ended and I signed more cards for fans along the fence, photo-bombed some fan photos, and took a lot of pictures with the great fans of Philadelphia!

When Meg and I met up to walk back down to the locker room, we took a moment to capture what an amazing game we were a part of. We even took a picture with Julie! :) This was definitely a once in a lifetime experience, and such an incredible way to start my last year as a Phillies Ballgirl.

2015 Photoshoot

A new season comes with a new photo!  The 11 returning ballgirls and 13 new ballgirls came together for the first time on Saturday, January 17th for the annual ballgirl photo shoot! This is the most exciting time during the start of the new year, as it is the first time all 24 of us would meet as a group.  You get all dolled up to take the picture that will represent you for the entire season, and the picture to remain on your baseball card for the rest of your life (because when else in life will you have a major league baseball card?)

I woke up early to curl my hair and make sure my make up was absolutely perfect.  Walking into the stadium was a familiar thing to me, and taking the elevator downstairs felt like home.  But walking into the locker room with new faces was exciting!  The rookies looked eager to kick off their season with the best, and they looked like the perfect group of young women to represent this wonderful organization.

The photo shoot took place in the media room, which is the same room all press conferences and post-game interviews happen.  I watched as the girls before me took their pictures, posing with a bat, softball glove and ball.  The rookies looked nervous like I was last year, and the vets made it look so natural.  Then it was my turn.

I decided to have some fun with it and make people laugh while getting my picture taken.  I took it very seriously of course, but I think the photographer was able to capture my personality easier by being very open and fun to work with.  It's my veteran year, and I needed to make it count! I posed with the bat, and the glove and ball.  I think they turned out really well!  I can't wait to see how they came out.  I'll post my favorites on here when they come in.

After the shoot, we all went to Megan's house for a post-photo shoot "getting to know you" session.  We ate pizza and pretzels and buffalo dip (Alyssa did a fabulous job on the dip!) and sat around ad talked to the rookies as they asked us questions.  After we paired up rookies to vets (think big sister little sister) the vets each gave their rookie a "Ballgirl Survival Kit" containing important items that are useful throughout the year such as hand sanitizer, hair brush, gum, hand lotion, chap stick, etc.  It's a nice way to welcome them into the organization and to have someone the rookies can call for questions or concerns.

The new season is looking promising, and I am excited to work with the new girls and get to know them over the course of the season and beyond! Someone even wrote an article about me and the other ballgirl from Burlington County, NJ.  Check it out here:

http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/philadelphia-phillies-ballgirls/image_d177691a-4b7e-5c97-ad0a-319d989a7da4.html

Last Game

My last game of the season was one for the books!  I got to top off my first year as a rookie by throwing out soft Phillies balls out to the crown after the 9th with Justin DeFratus and Mike Adams.  It was Fan Appreciation Weekend, and what we do is all for the fans. 

That day I stood in a raffle kiosk for 7 innings, and the total grew to the second highest total we've had all season.  Then after I cashed out, I ran down into the tunnel where we waited until the end of the 9th and proceeded out the right field gate.  Danielle and I walked out to center field by the bullpen and started tossing the balls out into the stands.  As we were throwing balls out, the bullpen emptied and DeFratus and Adams came over to the bucket and started throwing them out too.  I was not expecting to be pegged in the back of the head by DeFratus, but he apologized and we all laughed about it. 

Seeing all the fans faces as they received these unexpected gifts was the best way to end the 2014 season!  Thank you everyone for your support and love for Philadelphia sports!

The Last Home Stand of 2014

First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my brief absence on my blog recently.  I just started my Drexel co-op interning with the Philadelphia Eagles and I have been consumed with that for the past few weeks.  I started on Monday, but I have been running around getting things together for my first day from running errands and buying new business casual clothing.  I won't ever complain about new clothes, though.

Now for the topic at hand...the last home stand of the 2014 season.  What a wonderful and crazy year it has been, and as I reflect on what this year has brought me, I can't help but feel so fortunate to be where I am today.  This season was such an incredible experience to be a part of, and everyone at the Phillies is a pleasure to work with. 

I was given opportunities that I would never have had anywhere else.  This one might be my favorite story of the season:

I was the 3rd base ballgirl on the field when Tom McCarthy caught Freddie Freeman's home run, and I was the one who had to retrieve it when he threw it back!  I ran across the outfield, picked it up and handed it to girl, who took the ball and ran back up her section back to her family.   Never did I stop and think, 'Oh wait, a commentator has never caught a home run before.  I should hold onto this.'  Nope. I did my job, and that's exactly what I needed to do.

A few days later, I get a few texts from friends saying they heard my name on the radio station 94.1 WIP!  I was so curious as to how they found out my name, so I check their website and turns out, they interviewed Tom McCarthy about the home run catch experience.  The radio host offered $500 to the person who returns the ball to Tom, as this ball has historic value now.  So after listening to the interview myself, I had not heard my name.  I was confused, but I was thrilled that Tom had said, "Well I saw the ballgirl get the ball and give it to a little girl, so at least they got a piece of history," and of course I sent the interview link to my whole family.  What happened the next month floored me.

I was walking down the concourse after selling raffle tickets one night, and I hear someone call my name.  I turn around and the girl goes, "Lesley? It IS you!"  As it turns out, this 11 year old named Jordan was the girl I gave the ball to.  Her father was with her and told me that he was listening to WIP that morning and contemplated calling in about the ball, and ended up doing so.  He told them that "ballgirl Lesley" had given his daughter the ball and he now had it (so there's where my name came from!).  He was unsure whether to give it back, after all his family had a piece of history and he didn't want to take anything away from his daughter.  But Jordan wanted to give it to Tom herself, and the radio station ended up giving her the $500, and the Phillies gave her and her family an amazing day at the ballpark.  She was able to go up into the commentator's box, and received a signed ball from Matt Stairs, Jamie Moyer, and Tom McCarthy himself, and much more!

I was in shock standing on the concourse as they were telling me this.  My one act of giving a piece of history away to a fan made their family's day that much better.  And their generous act of kindness in returning the ball gave them the opportunity of a lifetime.  I don't think I've felt more rewarded in my life.  Just the look on her face when I handed her the ball, and the same look as when she found me on the concourse that night.  Sure, there's a lot of exciting moments throughout the year from working player charity events, sitting on the field for Howard's RBI to win the game, to watching the Phillies pull through for the W in extra innings from the stool.  But I think this one takes the cake.  Making a fan's day is definitely the greatest feeling.

Not everyone gets the chance to experience opportunities like this, and I just feel really lucky to be in my position.  It makes me feel like every life choice I've made lead me to be exactly where I need to be.  Had I not transferred home from Rhode Island after my freshman year of college, and had I not chosen to stay local and attend Drexel, I would not have been able to be a ballgirl, or had this great internship with the Eagles. 

It may be the last home stand of this season, but I am fortunate enough for this to be my first of two season with the Phillies.  I am so happy with how this season went and I am looking forward to next season, too!  And don't worry, I will be posting throughout the off season too, as we do appearances throughout the community!  Thank you all for your continued support!

Ballgirl Charity Softball Game

In order to be a ballgirl, you must have softball skills!  I played when I was younger, and I still have all the skills necessary to perform my duties.  Once you are on the roster, you are also on the Ballgirl softball team! This means that anyone can have their charity play against the ballgirls in a softball game for charity.

This year, the ballgirls participated in a charity softball game on June 22nd, 2014 for the Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding program at Sports at the Beach in Georgetown, Delaware! The girls met up at Kelly and Kory's house, and we carpooled down together in 3 cars.  We made a quick stop at the beach in Delaware to take some pictures on the beach in our uniforms, and they came out beautifully!  I can't figure out how to put all these pictures in a slide show, so I'll just continue to post them in the actual post!  We did a lot of different poses and just had a lot of fun with it, as it was one of those nice moments when we weren't really working; we were just hanging out as friends. 

When we finally got to the field, we put our hair up (including ribbon, of course!) and our game faces on!  The game started off with a few of their riders hitting some pitches we threw and them running the bases!  It was so nice watching these kids laugh and smile while participating in the softball experience.  We lined the baselines as they ran the bases and encouraged them with applause and cheering!

After that, their program leaders took the field and the ballgirls were up to bat!  We were stacking up the runs, and we thought this was going to be a nice and easy day.  The leaders were up to bat, and the innings went quickly as we rotated from batting to fielding.  Then our game faces really went on, as the SDTR program sent out their team of their softball playing staff; a group of athletic women who were all-state softball players in college.  They were very good, and they definitely gave us a run for our money.  Everyone did so well, and the best part was that the riders had a great time.  Their parents and friends all gathered to watch this wonderful event happen. 

When the game was over, they had one of their horses run the bases, and that made everyone smile! Definitely a wonderful surprise! They even had him wearing a Phillies shirt for the occasion!  The ballgirls had such a great time playing softball for an even better cause!

Taney Dragons Celebration

From @Phillies Instagram account!

Wednesday, August 27th was quite the interesting day in Philadelphia.  It started with a parade in Center City and ended with a wonderful on-field tribute at Citizen's Bank Park, and I was fortunate enough to help the staff on the field during the celebration of the Taney Dragons Little League team, who had a great run in the Little League World Series! 

Once I stepped out onto the field to help, the parents and family members of these incredible young athletes were taking their seats on the warning track behind home plate.  The energy was alive with excitement as their kids were being honored in front of the city of Philadelphia once again. 


From @Phillies Instagram account!

The kids were welcomed by walking down a set of steps from the outfield wall, and walked the red carpet down to a stage in front of the pitcher's mound, just like Charlie Manuel did the day he was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame.  The carpet was lined with Phillies front office staff, Phillies players, as well as their family and friends.  Once they got to the stage, they stood proud and as still as pre-teens could, as Mayor Michael Nutter and Ryan Howard addressed the crowd.  Each kid was announced and applauded for, and videos of their success played on the big board.  Their parents laughed and cried tears of joy and happiness for the kids, and the manager of the Taney Dragons thanked the parents for all their hard work and support of their kids’ effort during this wonderful season. 

And I was there to watch all of this happen.  I could not be more excited for these young athletes, too!

The kids then took a victory lap on the warning track of Citizen’s Bank Park, and were given the opportunity to throw out the first pitch all at once!  A member of the Phillies was assigned to catch the first pitch from one of the twelve Taney kids.  Papelbon had the honor of catching the famous Mo’Ne Davis’s first pitch, and our starting line-up was matched with a Taney player of the same position, i.e. Taney short-stop was with Jimmy Rollins, etc. 


From @Phillies Instagram account!

Taylor, Alison W, Tyanna, and I were holding Phillies jerseys with the Taney players’ last names and numbers on them, and as soon as the pitch was thrown, we were handing them out to them.  The look on their faces as they were handed their very own Phillies jersey were of sheer joy and appreciation.  I work this job specifically for those expressions on kids’ faces.  It’s unexplainable.  The kids stood on the field for the national anthem, and walked downstairs to the media room, where I HIGH FIVED MO’NE DAVIS! YEAH THAT HAPPENED, I FEEL AWESOME!

I would like to end on how proud I am of Mo’Ne Davis.  This extraordinary young female athlete has the greatest mindset of a leader will go very far in her future.  She not only throws the ball accurately and faster than most other kids her age, but she throws like a girl and proves it isn’t a bad thing.  She is a role model for not only her peers, but for young female athletes everywhere, and the poster child for drive and breaking barriers by showing everyone that the capabilities of genders aren’t defined.  You go, girl! Congrats to her and the entire Taney Little League Team!

From Mo'Ne Davis's Instagram.

Phillies Phestival for ALS

In light of the ALS #IceBucketChallenge that is going viral around the internet now (and I haven't been to the stadium recently because I have class and the Phillies have been on the road) I am going to talk about the Phillies Phestival they hold every year to support ALS.  Here is a blurb from the Phillies Website:
"The Phillies Phestival is a fun-filled autograph and auction party for all ages which is held annually with the goal to strike out ALS, the devastating neuromuscular condition for which there is no known cause or cure. Since 1984, the Phillies have raised over $14.3 million for The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter's patient services and research."

This year, the 30th Anniversary Phestival took place on May 19th, 2014 and raised $904,732 for ALS through ticket sales, autograph auctions, as well as games and prizes won throughout the phestival itself, and of course donations! All the ballgirls volunteered at the phestival and it was one of the more rewarding events I have worked this year. 

I was assigned to work the "Every Roll's a Winner" game along the main concourse that day.  Here, a phestival goer can pay for the number of rolls they get, and every roll wins a prize from our list of give-away items this year.  They had 5 die to roll at once, and the total rolled would equal any prize from 5 to 30.  I would then run and get a prize from the back and give it to the winner.  So many fans and members of the community came out to support our organization and an even greater cause.  There were adults, kids, grandparents, and even those who suffer from this horrible disease themselves, but everyone had a smile on their face and the sense of community was something you couldn't miss.  I was working side by side with members of the front office and more recognizable members of the organization, like our VP, as well as Tom McCarthy and Gregg Murphy! The Phanatic even made an appearance on the quad!

Afterwards, employees who volunteered to work the event were invited for dinner down in the diamond club.  It was very nice to see everyone in the organization volunteering their time to raise money and awareness for a terrible cause.  We all sat down and talked about what a nice day it was and how next year could only be better! I talked to members of Phanavision and the offices as well, since it's very rare you get us all in the same spot at once; it's a pretty big ballpark! 

The ballgirls decided it would be a great idea to get a group picture session in since it was an event we were all here for!  Here's how our photos turned out! What a great way to end such a rewarding day!  I feel very blessed.