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. 

Mets Game 3 - Sunday August 10th

This past Sunday, I was scheduled as the ballgirl on the field for the last day of Alumni Weekend, and it would soon turn into the most exciting game for myself to date! We walk out around 630pm to set up our stool and interact with the fans that come down to the fence in hopes to score a player autograph and take in the field before the start of a game.  I take out my cards and go along the fence signing cards for any fan that wants one.  Who would have thought that someone would want my autograph? It's a pretty cool feeling.  When the announcer Dan Baker greets the stadium with "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen!" and the music starts playing, I make my way back to home plate for the national anthem.  Usually on Sundays they have the Starting Nine, which is when nine little kids get to stand on the field with the players for the national anthem, while the ballgirls stand with the kids assigned to the pitcher and catcher.  But today was different: it was Alumni Day and there was an on-field tribute. 

After I got over the absolute excitement of standing in the presence of Phillies history, I immediately put my game face on and prepared to sit on the first base line for nine innings.  If you've ever, or have never noticed, after the national anthem the ballgirls hang out on the warning track behind home plate as they announce the line up for the game.  The Phillies then run out of the dug out onto the field and after the ninth player Jimmy Rollins leaves the dugout, the ballgirls then take off running down the warning track headed for our spot on the field.   I put my helmet on and take my seat on the stool.  I was ready.

I will always be honest on this blog for you guys.  After all, it's all on television anyway.  When the first foul ball was headed my way, I went to play it nice and clean and BAM! It went right through my legs!! I was so embarrassed as it hit the concrete below the fence behind me and flew out into fair terriroty, and right fielder Grady Sizemore threw me the ball, and I handed it to the cutest little girl in my section.  I sat back down and brushed it off, because I knew I would do better next time.  After the game, my boyfriend Dan said it looked like I played it off very well, so at least there is that. 

There was a lot of action down the first base line that game.  There were foul balls I played off the wall and handed to eager kids along the fence.  One ball was hit down the right field line and the umpire calls it fair!  I immediately grab my stool and run to my left into foul territory and I noticed the ball was curving towards me! I don't think I've ever run so fast to get out of the way before!  It hit the fence and popped up, where Mets right fielder Granderson was there to field the ball from the outfield.  It all happened so fast that I can't remember where the ball actually was, all I knew was I was out of the way and the ball didn't hit me, so I was safe!

When I sat back down, all the fans sitting near me said, "You were fast! Great job! Do you always have to take your stool with you?" YES.  If the ball hits me or the stool, it is considered a ground-rule double and the ball is dead.  I cannot in any way interfere with a ball in play, and I do not want to be one of those ballgirls you see online making that mistake. I know when the ball is fair and foul, and I know the signs the umpires use to designate the ball fair or foul. 

The most memorable ball hit in my direction was the last hit of the game.  The score was 6-5 with the Mets in the lead.  Ryan Howard was up to bat, and it was the Phillies last chance to win the game.  Byrd was on third and all Howard had to do was hit him in.  Strike one.  Strike two.  Ball 1, 2, 3.  The count was 3-2 with two outs.  One pitch was the difference between losing the game or taking the win.  He knocks the ball down the right field line, the ump calls it fair and I grab my stool to get out of the way.  It was a base hit, and Byrd flies home!! The dugout empties and dog piles on Howard for the winning RBI!  I threw my hands in the air, with the stool of course, and the crowd was ELECTRIC!  No one fielded that ball since the Mets knew they had lost, so I ran to get the ball that won us the game.  I had fans screaming at me from left and right for it, and I grabbed the ball and handed it to the cutest little kid on the fence.  His father started screaming and yelling with joy, and I've never seen a smile so big on such a little kid.  It was the cherry on top of the perfect day on the field! I am so blessed. 

Here's that adorable little kid and the game winning ball!
This picture will also appear on the Phillies Ballgirls Facebook page, like I told his parents.

I still haven't watched the game on my DVR yet (of course I DVR the games I work, you would too!), but with all the support I have from my friends and family I knew I had done the best I could.  I missed a ball, so what? At least I didn't get booed and now I know bettter for next time. Thank you to everyone.  Thank you, thank you, thank you

Alumni Weekend - August 8-10th

As I am sitting here typing this blog post, I can't even think of what to write first.  This weekend was so amazing.  I was the ballgirl on the first base line for the incredible win against the Mets on Sunday the 10th, stood, literally, two feet away from the greatest alumni the Phillies organization has ever seen, and watched Charlie Manuel get inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame on Saturday. 

Alumni weekend was a really cool experience.  It all started on Friday the 8th on Roy Halladay Bobble Figurine night!  I was being announced for the Red Goes Green team, so I was standing on the field when Halladay ran out of the dugout to address the crowd while they welcomed him with open arms and an incredibly loud round of applause and cheers.  After all, this was his first appearance in Citizen’s Bank Park since his retirement last season.  He threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and I was standing right behind home plate for when Ruiz caught the ball.  I clapped and cheered as the excitement ran through me, since I was standing in front of Phillies history. You can watch this first pitch here!

On Sunday the 9^th, I was scheduled to work our 50/50 Raffle benefiting Phillies Charities, and I was assigned to run the kiosk in section 122 behind home plate on the main concourse.  Charlie Manuel was being inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame today and I was fortunate enough to be placed at a kiosk that can see the field clearly.  I also had a television in front of me on the concourse that was showing what was on the big screen in the outfield.  I watched as Charlie walked out onto a red carpet they had rolled from the outfield wall all the way down to a stage they placed in front of the pitcher’s mound.  Current players and front office staff lined the carpet to shake his hand and congratulate him on this great accomplishment.  The crowd stood on their feet and clapped and cheered tirelessly for Charlie, and the stadium was full of life and pride.  Phillies alumni were introduced one by one as they joined Charlie on the stage.  Where I was standing on the concourse, I couldn’t hear exactly what he was saying when he addressed the fans, but through various bursts laughter and cheering, I know what he said was moving and won the crowd over.  It sure got me.  I was beaming with pride!

The photographer of this picture was standing right next to me.
Picture from the Phillies Instagram page.

On Sunday the 10^th, it was my game to be on the field.  It was a 1:35pm game and it was so incredibly hot on the field.  Alumni were announced one again and lined the third base line, while current players stood along the first base line for the national anthem.  I was standing behind home plate with Mackenzie and the green team as we usually do for the anthem, and I was standing LITERALLY TWO FEET AWAY from Mike Schmidt. There was such a feeling of history in the ballpark, and I was so incredibly fortunate and grateful for this experience.  I have never felt so much pride being part of an organization’s rich history and the deep-rooted fandom within Philadelphia, and I will never take that for granted. 

The Photo Shoot

After the holidays, and the 2014 Phillies Ballgirl roster was set in stone, we are ready for our photo shoot in January!  These pictures would be used for our ballgirl trading cards, as well as our staff ID and the Phillies website.  I got up at 6 in the morning to get ready for my first official duty as a ballgirl.  I showered and did my make up while my hair dresser Michelle curled my hair (because I cannot for the life of me operate a curling iron!  I'm currently perfecting the art of the curling wand though!) I was then on my way to my new place of work.

We walked into the media room (you know, the room where Ryne Sandberg holds the press conference after each game) and I was immediately hit with the realization that this well-known scene was now part of my work setting.  We had our initial meeting of "all things ballgirl" there while the photographer set up his equipment to assist us in looking the best we could.  We talked about rules and more details about this position, while meeting and getting to know the people we would be working with during our time with the Phillies.  We even got our red jumpsuits! Between last minute trips to our locker room to perfect any last minute hair or makeup flaws and helping each other out, we were ready for camera action!


Gotta SnapChat this moment, of course!

The vets went first, since they knew exactly what they were doing from last year.  All the rookies sat in awe as we realized that we were a pert of this group of beautiful young women, and they were our role models for who we were going to be.  Since the rookie jerseys hadn't arrived from Majestic yet, we wore the vets' jerseys in our pictures.  I am actually wearing Kelly N's jersey, and I will never forget trying to figure out which twin's jersey I had borrowed. 

"So, which rookie wants to go first?" Of course we all sat in silence...until I jumped up and said, "I'll go!"  Standing in front of those lights with everyone staring at you in intimidating, but all you had to do was smile and pose the way the photographer wanted you to.  We took a lot of pictures, but here are a few that I liked:

After the photo shoot, we went to Kelly and Kory's house to get to know each other and finally grab a bite to eat.  It was the first time we all could sit down and talk about whatever we wanted and get o know the girls you would be spending the entirety of baseball season with.  As I was sitting in their living room, I would have never guessed that these girls would become more like sisters to me.  I see them every home game I work, we plan to see each other outside the stadium, and they are only a phone call (or group text) away when I need them.  They are the best co-workers I've ever had, because it feels more like I'm working with family.

The Beginning

Becoming a Phillies ballgirl was not the easiest thing I have ever done.  However, when I found out how to apply (via Twitter, when I was sitting in a class lecture, actually), I had a fire light inside me that told me, "Yes, you can do this; you were meant to do this."  I had no doubt in my mind that I could do this, and would get this job.  I had nothing but positive feedback, support, and encouragement from my close friends and family about this idea, and so I decided to go for it.  I had two weeks until the application deadline on October 25th, 2013.

I needed to send in my resume and a two minute video explaining why I wanted to be a ballgirl, so I contacted my co-worker Georgie for some softball equipment and my boyfriend Dan’s best friend Rich for some video equipment and we quickly got to work.  We went to a local softball field in my town and shot some video clips of me hitting and fielding a softball.  It really boosted my confidence about the softball skills I still had from back in the day.  That night, Rich and I stayed up late to edit the video and perfect what would soon be my ticket into the organization.  I updated my resume, and within days I had the DVD and resume at the post office and on its way to Citizen’s Bank Park.  You can view that final video here!

About two weeks later, I got an email inviting me to try out for the position at Citizen’s Bank Park!  I was absolutely over the moon!  I called my mom and screamed out of sheer joy and excitement because I can show my favorite organization what I can bring to the table.  This was my shot.  When we got there that morning, we had three tasks to accomplish: softball skills including hitting and fielding, a Phillies quiz, and an on-camera interview with Scott Palmer.  My softball skills were fine, my quiz knowledge was enough to pass, and my on-camera interview sealed the deal.  I am very personable and comfortable talking to strangers (and I have to thank waiting tables for that skill), so I knew the on-camera interview would be my greatest strength.  I may have missed 5 of the pitches I had to hit, but they are going to love my anyway.  I made them laugh, and I told them of my desire to instill self-confidence in young girls and women just like my mother did for me. I felt like I had nailed it.


I am pictured here at tryouts in the middle of the back row.
 Picture from phl17.com.

I was so proud of myself for doing the very best I could and leaving everything I had out there to be judged, criticized and critiqued.  It worked in my benefit, because two weeks later I received an email saying I passed tryouts and I had a second interview in my future.  Of course, my mom received another phone call full of screams of joy, and so did my boyfriend.  I had nothing but their happiness and support on my side, and I was ready.


Throwing the ball during fielding exercises.
 Picture from phl17.com.

After talking with Michele, my future boss, I walked out of the second interview with my head held high, and the fire inside burning hotter than it had before.  I waited by the phone for two more weeks, and the phone call I got a few days after Thanksgiving 2013 as I was waiting for my class to start was one telling me I was offered the position on the 2014 Phillies Ballgirl roster.  I ran out of the academic building to answer the phone, and then immediately called my mom to tell her the great news!  I called my boyfriend at work to tell him too, and I called my dad and best friend.  I was euphoric to the highest degree!

I was offered the position of a Philadelphia Phillies ballgirl, and I couldn’t have imagined where my life was headed.  This process has opened so many doors for me to experience and learn more than I ever could have dreamed.  And I could not wait for it to begin in January of 2014.