Want to see dozens of cute girls run around in the dirt AND help some great charities?  Then come down to FDR Park for the second annual Summer Softball Showdown, July 19 at 12 p.m., and watch the Phillies Ballgirls take on the Sixers Dancers, Flyers Ice Girls, Wings Angels Dance Team, the Soulmates, and the KiXX Dance Team in a round-robin softball tournament!

Highlights from last year's tournament included a dance on the pitcher's mound from the Sixers Dance Team, a sad and slightly scary replication of that dance by male members of the local media, appearances by the Phillie Phanatic and (a juiced-up) Hip Hop, and much, much more!

All fans will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite girls and media personalities, bid on amazing auction items, say hello to a couple of former players, play interactive games, chow down on some refreshments, and cheer on their favorite team!  Best of all, admission is free.  So put on the jersey of your favorite Philly team (ahem, obviously the Phillies), grab your friends and family, lather on some sunblock and come see us at FDR Park.  (And don't say I didn't warn you about the media dance.)

For more information on the Summer Softball Showdown please visit any of the teams' websites.  Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Park is bordered by the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, I-95 and Pattison Avenue. 

Until I worked for the Phillies I had absolutely no idea how much the players did for charity. I remember hearing that Jim Eisenreich and his wife had a foundation for children with Tourette Syndrome, and I knew that Lenny Dykstra helped coach a few high school baseball clinics, but beyond that I figured they just hung out in their big expensive houses and went on big, fancy vacations.

Truthfully, I know very few people who are as committed to charity work as the Phillies players and their wives are. Sure it helps to have money, but the players also donate a lot of their time, which can be an invaluable resource during the season.

A perfect example of their in-season generosity? A few weeks ago on a rare off day Jimmy Rollins and Jamie Moyer both hosted events to raise money for their favorite causes. The day started off with a bowling tournament Lucky Strike Lanes and ended at the Diamond Club in Citizens Bank Park for a dinner party with a seriously impressive wait staff. More importantly, the day gave some very deserving children the opportunity to live a better life.

Jimmy's third annual BaseBOWL event raised money for the Arthritis Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania and Camp JRA (Juveniles Reaching Achievement) which provides special care for children with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Attendees of the event included Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Adam Eaton, and some seriously excited fans! Some of our ballgirls attended, and they were nice enough to share some highlights with me!

According to rookie ballgirl Laura, "My favorite part was hosting a lane with all women bowlers and having them beat up on the Phillies players. It wasn't even close! Way to go, ladies!"

For Irena, the real honor was getting to help a young fan. "My lane was reserved for Citizens Bank. I had a young girl in my lane named Renata. I was able to introduce her to Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick and she even got to hug Jimmy Rollins. She was so excited that she kept thanking me for helping her meet everyone. It was awesome!"

For Christy O, the event was a little more stressful. "Cole Hamels and Kyle Kendrick bowl really fast! It was kind of funny to watch them throw underhand...it was also a little scary because I thought that they were going to hurt their pitching arms!"

Gina loved seeing how excited some of the younger fans were. "There was a family I bowled with later on in the event, and they had three boys under age 10. When I asked them if they got any signatures or anything like that, the expressions on their faces were priceless. They were so proud to show me their autographed 'BaseBOWL' jerseys and baseballs that they got signed."

Katie also enjoyed watching the kids. "My favorite moment of the JRoll bowling event was watching the kids at the event meet all the professional athletes that were there. All the players and celebrities were great with the kids. They gave out their autograph, took pictures and talked to them. It was really nice to see the celebrities paying so much attention to the kids. I also enjoyed watching Eric Bruntlett bowl because he was really good and fun to watch!"

For Lauren, the event was a wonderful opportunity to really brush up on her bowling skills! "The best part of the JRoll bowling event was interacting with the participants. The lane I was taking care of was a lot of fun, and very social. Eventually, it got to the point where the people in the lane just wanted to chat with each other instead of continuing to bowl, so I became the designated bowler for at least 4 people in the lane. Though my bowling skills (or lack thereof) did not help my lane win the tournament, my lane appreciated the help, and we definitely had a great time."

Maybe Lauren can use her newfound bowling prowess to help out some of our players... apparently their bowling skills were a little rusty! They may have a future in the food-service industry, however. They showed off their wait-staff skills at Jamie Moyer's Celebrity Waiters event to raise money for the Moyer Foundation and Camp Erin, which helps kids who have lost their parents or siblings grieve and move on with their lives.

Ballgirl Lindsay was there and she shared some highlights with us.

"It was great to see the players coming to the Moyer event on their day off, especially after having just attended JRoll's event. It shows a lot about what our guys are made of when they aren't playing ball. This was more than just a public appearance as they were required to wait tables. Not only did they mingle with the fans, sign autographs and pour wine, but it was not unusual to see them take a seat at the table and engage in conversation with the guests. One moment which was particularly heart-warming was when Adam Eaton donated $10,000 to Camp Erin. It was also pretty cool to see who else (in addition to current Phillies) was willing to donate their time to a good cause."

It was a long day for the Phillies players, but I have no doubt that the children who will attend Camp JRA and Camp Erin will remember the heroics the players displayed today far longer than any heroics they display on the field.

 

ESPN Sports Center not only included this highlight in their Top 10 plays, but they also mentioned the shirt Sam was wearing while making this incredible play -- because it said "Vote for Pat." This was with two out in the top of the sixth against the Cardinals on Tuesday night. Great play! And you have to like the broadcaster's line: "She just Cadillac'd it."

(If you have problems viewing the video, please make sure you have the latest version of Windows Media Player installed.)

In addition to wearing those shirts, the Phillies Ballgirls have been campaigning heavily for Pat Burrell, who as of Wednesday evening was in a tight race for the National League selection as Monster 2008 All-Star Game Final Vote. Vote constantly until the 5 p.m. ET Thursday close of balloting! Yesterday and today the ballgirls have taken to the streets of Philadelphia with posters and handing out Vote For Pat cards. They were also several radio stations this morning handing out Vote For Pat shirts to the on air personalities. Here are some pics:

The following video is from the top of the fourth inning in Wednesday's game at Citizens Bank Park during a J.D. Drew at-bat. If you're an MLB.TV subscriber you can watch the full broadcast.

If you have problems viewing the video, make sure you have the latest version of Windows Media Player installed.

With the Phillies celebrating fathers on June 1st, the ballgirls thought we would take this opportunity to talk about how our own fathers made an impact in our lives both on and off the field. 

My father made me a Phillies fan.  He listened to games on the radio while he dug up the vegetable garden, read every article in the Sports section of the newspaper, and provided me with morning score updates for every game that ended after I went to bed.

He loved baseball almost as much as he loved his kids.  He coached all of our little league teams, and when he ran out of kids to coach he helped coach a local team of mentally-handicapped children.  Every time we drove to practice or games he would blast John Fogerty's, "Put Me in Coach" all the way to the field.
 
Because of my father, even as a little kid, the Phillies were a part of my life.  Our family went to Clearwater for Spring Training when I was young, and while my sister and brother got autographs from Mike Schmidt, my father took me to get Larry Andersen's autograph.  (Actually, all I really remember is my father making me talk to some old guy, but I'm told it was Larry Andersen.)  And in 1993 when the Phillies won the pennant in an exciting Game 6, we were there, cheering and screaming along with the rest of the crowd at Veteran's Stadium.

I know my father would have loved that I got a job as a Phillies Ballgirl.  I know he would have come to every game, talked to me about every play, and graciously listened as I recounted every second on the field.  I have his old baseball glove and use it for each game.  It's old and big and coming unlaced but it means the world to me.  I can't have my dad at the games, but at least a piece of him is there with me.  

Many of the other ballgirls also owe their softball/baseball careers to their dads. 

Christy G.

When I hit my first home run (against all boys...I was the only girl in my little league that year) and came across home plate my dad yelled, "THAT'S MY GIRL!" He was so proud (even as the poor pitcher cried because a girl hit a home run off of him)! Most girls moved to softball but my dad let me play baseball until High School. I wanted to play in the Major Leagues but as a girl we obviously can't... guess I have my dad to thank for getting me this close as a Phillies' ballgirl--my dream came true--and working on a Major League baseball field!!
Irena

Without my father I definitely would not have been a scholarship softball player in college.  My father was always encouraging.  I remember being upset because I didn't hit home runs all the time because I'm kinda small.  He told me, "Hey if you can't be the best hitter around, we'll make you the best fielder around."  My father was always my coach, from little league to ASA, until I reached high school.  Usually, daughters don't like to listen to what they father/coach has to say, but he always found a way to treat me like everyone else on that field.  Lucky for me, he was an awesome coach!

Alison

My favorite childhood memories of my father are from the years when he coached my softball team! We didn't win many games but he made us feel like we were winners and really made the game fun.  My father definitely encouraged me to play softball and love the game.  He was always so excited to coach and/or watch me play, and I grew to love softball and baseball.  Our family would go to games at the Vet a lot when I was young, and I always loved the atmosphere of the Phillies games.

Debbie

My Dad has always been my number one fan, teacher and coach.  He never missed a game, was at all practices, camps and private lessons.  He drove me from field to field and state to state. Whether they were though losses or exciting championships, he's been there for it all, coaching me, teaching me and cheering me on to be the best I can be.  My Dad was actually the first person to tell me about what he had heard on the radio about the Phillies' ballgirl tryout and if it wasn't for him still believing in my talent after all these years I'd probably be sitting in the stands wondering what it would be like to be a ballgirl!

Gina

My favorite childhood memory of my father is playing softball with him on the beach.  My dad would pack our beach bag with five softball gloves. One for me, one for him, and one for each of my other sisters. We'd stay on the beach all day long, and I remember we would take turns having a catch with Dad.  Sometimes my other sisters wouldn't want to do it, but I never turned down the opportunity of having a catch with my father in such awesome scenery!

My dad coached me in softball up until I was about 10.  He still is a coach of Varsity Softball at a high school in my town.  As I get older, I have realized that when I think of softball, I think of my Dad, and how he taught me to love the game. 

Lauren

My dad used to coach my little league softball teams, and that was always exciting for me, because he could see all of my games! My father is the main influence behind my softball and Phillies career.  He brought me to Phillies games all the time growing up, and would throw around a softball with me on weekends.  He even helped me prepare for Ballgirl tryouts by hitting grounders to me and taking me to the batting cages, so he is still very much involved in this experience!

Of course, our fathers have made a big impact on us off the field too...

Teresa

When we were younger (when all five kids in my family still lived at home), we all went to church together as a family.  In Catholic mass, whenever the Our Father prayer comes around, everyone is supposed to hold hands and sing it together.  During the Our Father, Dad would SQUEEZE my hand so tight and I would try to squeeze it just as tightly back but it never seemed to faze him.  I would always try to out-squeeze him but it never worked!   I remember thinking he was SO strong!  I don't get to see my Dad too much anymore, but whenever we're lucky enough to be in the same city, we go to church and we still squeeze each other's hands as tight as possible. The only difference now is that I have to take it a little easier on him than I used to! 

Katie

My favorite childhood memory with my dad would be all of the summers we spent working in his garden.  My mom and brothers and sister would go out or hang out in the house while my dad and I would garden. We planted tomatoes, corn, squash, zucchini and peppers and would take care of them until it was time to pick them. My dad had a lot of patience with me because I was very young and I wanted to help with everything. He would give me little jobs to do... he even bought me my own rake! My dad taught me a lot about gardening and hopefully one day I can have a garden of my own!

Elena

The best memory of my dad as a little girl was seeing him play the Maracas to classic salsa music in the house.  It could be the basement, the garage, or the family room.  He never learned to play any musical instruments, but his Maraca talent came naturally.  He was always happy when he had music playing!

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there...you have an incredible influence on the lives of your children!

With All-Star voting in full swing, I figured it would be a great opportunity for the ballgirls to do a little voting.  So here are the Phillies Ballgirls' votes for the 2008 Phillies Baseball Superlatives.  Enjoy!

Best Companion on a Deserted Island: Jimmy Rollins

  "Things can get a little boring out there on a desert island, and Jimmy has quite a way of keeping things interesting. He is always joking around and is quite charismatic. Plus he has his own record company so he can keep me entertained with his rap game." Justine
Honorable Mention: Cole Hamels
We figure his wife Heidi could give him some great tips for "Surviving" on an island!
(Sorry Cole, I'm sure you've heard that one before...)

Best All-Around: Tie between Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley
"Jimmy is always staying positive, an outgoing team leader.  Even if his baseball skills fade (let's hope they don't) he will still be right up there, the heart of the team." Alison
"Chase is never in a long slump, always stays positive, has a good arm, a good bat... what more can I say?" Christy G.

Class Clown: The Phillie Phanatic

 
"I love the belly circle.  It gets me every time... seriously!  I can't help myself when the Phanatic circles his belly!  I just crack up!" Christy O.
Honorable Mention: Brett Myers
"Have to give it to him...the prank he pulled on Kyle was classic!" Debbie

Most Likely to Succeed: Chase Utley

 
"Chase Utley because it seems that he improves every season (especially his defense) and he is extremely consistent at the plate." Sam

Mr. Congeniality: Jamie Moyer

 
"The definition of congeniality is the capability to get along well with anyone. It's obvious that Jamie has this quality simply because of his years of service in Major League Baseball. On top of that, he is the first and last player to sign autographs down at the park every single day. He makes sure everyone gets one; it just shows that he really understands that the game is just as much about the fans as it is the players." Teresa

Best Dressed: Jimmy Rollins 
"I would have said Cole, but he showed up to an interview wearing a turtleneck sweater... that was pretty bad. Jimmy is always looking his best." Katie
Honorable Mention: Phoebe Phanatic
"Her Chanel look is a timeless classic." Elena

Best Smile: So Taguchi
"Next time you're at a game, check out So's headshot. His smile is infectious." Teresa
"He's got one of those smiles that when he smiles you smile and you don't even realize you're doing it." Gina

Most Fun to Watch: Chase Utley
"Whether he is at bat or on the field... you know something good is going to happen." Irena

Best Arm: Shane Victorino
"He gives up his body on defense and has an arm like a cannon!" Lindsay

Best Bat: Chase Utley 
"Ryan Howard's swing is pretty incredible, but what I admire about Chase is how short his swing is. He generates so much power from such a short path; that is the ultimate goal for any hitter." Teresa

Best Playmaker: Jimmy Rollins
"A playmaker to me is someone who can change the momentum of the game in one play or one swing of the bat, so my vote goes to Jimmy Rollins.  It's apparent that he can set the tone for the whole team." Sam

Best New Addition to the Team: Brad Lidge

 
"So far, so good! He's unhittable!" Lauren

Most Improved: Pat Burrell
"Hands down Pat gets my vote. I don't know if it has to do with the fact that his contract expires this year, but Pat looks like a new player. Not only is he crushing the ball at the plate, he is making some stellar plays in the outfield. Who would have thought people would be mentioning his name and whispering the words MVP after it?" Justine

Don't forget to vote your favorite Phillies player into the 2008 All-Star game.  Fill out a ballot next time you are at the ballpark or vote online at www.phillies.com.

 

 

 

Some people think that being a female baseball fan just means that you enjoy wearing pink baseball caps, think Chase Utley is really cute, and spend most baseball games staring at the players' butts.  Fortunately, the Philadelphia Phillies recognize that many women have a passion for baseball that goes far beyond girly clothes or tight uniforms.

This past Wednesday the Phillies held their fourth Baseball 101 Clinic & Luncheon, giving 130 women the incredible opportunity to learn everything baseball from the Phillies coaches themselves.  The ladies discovered how to grip a curveball like Cole Hamels from pitching coach Rich Dubee, how to swing like Chase Utley from Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson, and how to run the bases like Jimmy Rollins from first-base coach Davey Lopes.  They threw in the bullpen, hit in the batting cages, and ran around the base paths of Citizens Bank Park.

One of the attendees was Phillies Ballgirl Debbie, who brought her mother and sister along with her.  Naturally, I had to harass her and ask her about her experience.

What was your favorite part of the day?
I've been on the field many times so to be able to have my Mom and sister experience that was pretty exciting.  I loved seeing Rich Dubee and Mick Billmeyer's faces when I fired a pitch off the mound in the bullpen...not sure they expected that from me. (I think I may have a contract in the works!)  I also loved getting the chance to learn the skill of base running from one of the best, Davey Lopes...and getting to run around the bases, which by the way was AWESOME.  Seeing my Mom do it was so funny, thank goodness we stretched before we started!  
 
What was the funniest moment?
Well other than my Mom falling after attempting a lunge stretch, I would have to say when Greg Dobbs came into a room full of women and said..."I'm scared."  Great opening line...he is quite the comedian!!
 
How did you, your mom, and your sister do in the batting cages?
Well, Milt Thompson gave my mom props for her hitting talent.  I have to admit, I've never been nervous about hitting off a tee, but when you have Milt Thompson staring at you, critiquing your every move, it's definitely intimidating...my knees where shaking! 
 
Was it what you expected?
It was more than I expected!  I have so much respect for the Phillies organization for recognizing women and giving them the opportunity to learn the game of baseball from professionals.  If anyone is looking to get their mom a birthday present, belated Mother's Day present, or a present just for being her, The Baseball 101 Clinic is definitely worth every penny....especially considering all the money goes to the Phillies Charities!!
 

After all of their hard work on the field, the women took some time to relax during a buffet lunch.  Then they reconvened for the unique opportunity to hear from all sorts of "baseball professionals," including NBC 10 Sports Anchor John Clark, sports analyst Michael Barkan, Phillies Utility Player (and my favorite Phillie) Greg Dobbs, Director of Baseball Administration, Susan Ingersoll Papaneri (who started working for the Phillies in the 70s as a member of the Hot Pants Patrol... but you didn't hear that from me), Jen Utley of the Phillies' Wives Program, and ME... Phillies Ballgirl and blogger.     

Now it's not every day that I sit on panel as cameras flash at me, and have 100 women watching me and asking me questions.  Oh, and did I mention that one of the women was my boss??!!  No pressure.

Their questions were the ones I hear most often:

How do I become a ballgirl?  Go to the Phillies website, under the Community section, next September or October and fill out an application.  Of the total applicants (last year there were over 600) the Phillies will choose about 100 (based on their softball background and resume) to come to Citizen's Bank Park for a tryout.  The tryout involves hitting, fielding, and an American Idol-style interview in front of a panel.  From the tryout the Phillies will choose about 20 women to come back for a formal interview.  Then they usually take around 10 women.  It's an extensive process, but so worth it... even just to get to be on the field for a tryout!

How come when the opposing team hits a home run and a fan catches it and throws the ball back, you run out, get it, and give it to a little kid?  Because when I come back with the ball there are about 40 of the cutest kids you've ever seen standing there with their gloves out saying, "Can I have the ball please, please, please, please???"  Who could resist that?  Besides, no one will boo them for taking it!

Have you ever been hit with a ball? No.  (Although I really don't want to jinx that...)  We go through at least three games of training before we are on the field alone, which means we can usually judge the ball pretty well.  It always gets a little interesting when you have a player coming from one direction, a ball coming from another, and the fence on one side.  We definitely do some crazy acrobatics from time to time. 

I had a great time being "grilled" by such passionate Phillies fans, and I definitely learned some things from Jen Utley and Susan Ingersoll Papaneri.  My mom has already informed me that she wants to attend the next one, which will be held August 26th, with sign ups starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 19th. http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/ticketing/clinic.jsp

Oh, and for the record, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a pink Phillies hat... or appreciating a good-looking baseball player!!

"Making the decision to have a child-its momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." 
--Elizabeth Stone

I didn't want to be too cheesy or sappy this week, but I think it's important to take the time at least once a year to honor our mothers.  I challenge everyone to look at what they have accomplished in their personal and professional lives, and to determine how much of that success they owe in some part to their mother.  The support, encouragement, and faith that our mothers provide allow us to become the best versions of ourselves. 

Now, that's not to say that we don't like to tease them for wearing high-rise tapered jeans, dancing during TV commercial breaks, or being hopeless with the latest DVR, DVD, or TiVo equipment...but we love them anyway!

So in honor of Mother's Day here is our Top 20 List of what our moms have taught us:

20) Never eat yellow snow! (Sam)
19)  To LOVE SPORTS! (Alison)
18) To look for a guy who can be my partner and best friend. (Jocelyn)
17) That anything worth doing is worth doing right. (Laura)
16) Not to smack my lips. (Lindsay)
15) To have a beautiful personality. (Christy G)
14) To never pay full price. (Katie)
13) To find the good in people no matter what the circumstances are. (Sam)
12) How to play tennis. (Lauren)
11) To always use good grammar. (Jocelyn)
10) That to share the gift of knowledge can only have great outcomes. (Elena)
9) To fight for what I believe in. (Katie)
8) To always forgive, be graceful, and remember everything happens for a reason. (Shawn)
7) To be self sufficient and fight your own battles. (Elena)
6) How to manage a classroom! (Lauren)
5) To keep pushing and set my goals and expectations high. (Debbie)
4) If you put forth your best effort and give 100% you can achieve any goal. (Laura)
3) That girls can do anything that boys can do. (Christy O)
2) To be a baseball freak (or Phanatic). (Christy G)
1) That times of struggle only make you stronger. (Shawn)

So thank you to all of our moms.  We love you!  To all the other moms out there, you have the hardest job in the world, and we could not respect you more.  Have a fabulous Mother's Day!

 

 

In honor of Friday night's Teacher Appreciation festivities, I decided to dedicate this week's blog to the fabulous teachers that have helped us all grow, motivated us to achieve our goals, and taught us to never settle for anything less than excellence.

I have been lucky enough to have some wonderful teachers in my time in the Tredyffrin- Easttown School District.  There was Mrs. Chatigny, my kindergarten teacher who spent countless time helping me tie my "Jams" (yes, I was a child of the '80s) and once spent an entire afternoon trying to figure out who used the plastic safety scissors to cut a big chunk out of their hair (it was me).  She was a wonderful, nurturing teacher who taught us all of the fundamentals that the rest of our educations would build on.  She also taught us that taking two deep breaths makes any situation seem much more bearable.  That seems to come in particularly handy whenever the Phillies play the Mets...

I really had too many great teachers to mention... there was Mr. Allison who managed to make writing in cursive fun, and once called into a radio station to make us all laugh; Mrs. Kovacs who made every student feel like they were the most important person in the world; Mr. Dinkins, whose tough grading but insightful feedback made me want to be a writer; and Mr. Butler, who genuinely seemed to care about his students inside and outside of the classroom, and actually kept me paying attention in chemistry class (instead of flirting with the guy sitting next to me).

I also bugged my ballgirl colleagues to find out who their favorite teachers were.  Their answers are below.

Justine

The best teacher I ever had I was fortunate enough to have twice! My favorite teacher was Mrs. Scott, my 9th and 11th grade English teacher at Villa Joseph Marie.

Mrs. Scott was one of the smartest women I have ever met.  Someone once told her that she was too smart to teach in high school because she would never be able to teach down to their level, and that she was better off teaching in college.  She then made it her goal to prove that person wrong and dedicated her life to bringing her knowledge to high school students.

At times she could be one of those teachers that you feared, but at the same time she was one of those teachers that you loved!  She had a great sense of humor, and with two kids of her own in college she easily related to our teenage lifestyles.

Mrs. Scott not only taught us the correct MLA format, or the right way to do research for a 10-page paper, but she taught us lessons to get us through life.  Lessons that each one of us appreciated.

She is and will continue to be a teacher I will never forget.  Thank You, Mrs. Scott! :)

Irena

My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher Mrs. Childress.  She used to read us Ramona every day for an hour (if we were good) and introduced me to my favorite book as a child, Chocolate Covered Ants.  She never yelled at us and was a super sweet woman!

Teresa

The best teacher I ever had was my sports law professor, Scott Rosner.  He was one of the few teachers I've had that instilled a sense of camaraderie with their students.  Instead of talking down to us, he opened up his personality to us and made us feel more like colleagues than students.  He managed to find the delicate balance between discipline and fun; a balance that certainly cannot be easy to achieve.  Since I love sports, I eagerly signed up for his class hoping to learn a thing or two I didn't already know about the business of sports.  What I left with was not only a further interest in sports, but also a humble respect for his vast knowledge and dedication to the field.  Though his class only lasted one semester, its impact will stay with me as I look to further my career in sports!

As For Our Own Fabulous Teachers...
It would be remiss of me to write this blog and not mention the fact that several of our ballgirls are amazing teachers themselves.  In honor of their big night at the ballpark, I asked them all about the benefits being a teacher!

Elena (Physical Education)

The best thing about being a teacher is that I can make a difference in a student's life.  And making them laugh is my favorite thing to do. 

So far, the best moment has been hearing kids say they want to switch into my gym class!

Christy G. (High School Art)

The best thing about being a teacher is knowing you are making a difference in your students' lives.  I just took a group of 20 students across the globe to teach them--what an experience!! Worth every minute.

My best moment as a teacher was when a student chose me as her favorite teacher of her entire school career!  They had a banquet for us and I cried!
 
Katie (Health & Physical Education, 7th & 8th grade)

The best thing about being a teacher is the impact you have on your students.  Your students look up to you and it's your job to be a positive influence on them.  Since I am a health and physical education teacher, it's important that my students understand how vital good nutrition and physical activity is.  I try and make all of my lessons as fun and interesting as possible so that my students can enjoy and understand how to stay healthy and active.

It's hard to narrow my best moment as a teacher since this is my first year teaching.  The best moments happen every day when my students enter my classroom.  They always seem eager and excited to learn, and it really gives me a good feeling inside.  I try to make every activity we do in phys. ed. class fun even for those who aren't very athletic.  I teach them that sportsmanship is more important than how many goals you score or points you earn for your team.  When those students get excited to play games that they aren't very talented in and they give 100%, it makes me feel really good as a teacher.

Christy O. (Elementary School)

Ok, for me, the best thing about being a teacher is how you get to see your kids (students) grow and make progress from the first day in September to the end of the school year. 
 
And one of the best "teaching" moments for me was actually during my student teaching in Philly... I was teaching 5th grade math and we were working on "estimating distances."  I asked the class to estimate how many miles our school was from the Eagles' and Phillies' stadiums.  The class gave me answers like, "50 miles, 100 miles!"  Then, when I showed them on MapQuest that the school was only 3 miles away from the stadiums, they were all amazed!  They had no idea that they lived so close to the stadiums.  This is sort of a silly story, but it always reminds me just how powerful the role of a teacher really is... teachers are responsible for opening doors for kids and helping them to experience new and exciting things!

Lauren (High School Art)

My favorite part of being a teacher is learning from my students as they learn from me.  I teach high school art, and many students are already skilled artists, and their work or ideas may inspire me to attempt something that I haven't tried before.  I also love just talking with my students and learning about their backgrounds, and hearing their opinions on everything from movies and music to their world views.  They are constantly opening my eyes to new thoughts and ideas.

Laura (Elementary School)

The best part about being a teacher is the interactions you have with children all day every day.  They are so funny, full of life and enthusiastic it makes me feel like a kid again (and they also keep me on my toes).  It's also a very rewarding experience to make a difference in the life of a child each day and know that you had a positive influence in their lives.  The best moment is when a struggling student has that "Aha" moment showing that they really understand the concept you are working on.

Lindsay (Elementary School)

My favorite moments as a teacher come simply from being close to my students.  Nothing compares to receiving a hug from a 5th grader because they are happy to be at school.  It's the smile in the morning, or high five, or "look, I did my homework" that makes me feel good about being a teacher.  Did I mention that fifth graders are really funny?  I laugh a lot!

To read about the teachers the Phillies will be honoring during their 8th annual Teacher Appreciation Night, visit: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/community/phi_community_teachers.jsp

These days, even oil companies are trying to be environmentally friendly.  Grocery stores continue to offer more organic and locally grown produce, clothing companies are using organic and recycled fabrics, and more and more television stations are promoting "green" programming (Get Fresh with Sarah Snow on FitTV is my favorite).

Therefore, in honor of Earth Day (and our favorite green mascot) we are dedicating this week's blog to the environment.  I've asked each of the ballgirls what they do to "be green."  The best part is, not only will most of their ideas help you save the environment... they'll also help you save some cash (which means more money for Phillies tickets)!

Lindsay B.

1) I use a tote bag at the grocery store and take old plastic bags back to be recycled.
2) I also (though not by choice) have been walking to many of the places nearby that I used to drive to.  
3) My roommate and I didn't turn the heat on until December and it's been off since the middle of March! 

Irena

1) I only use earth friendly cleaning products and energy-saving light bulbs in my house.
2) I keep my heater at 67 degrees so I save energy.
3) I pay all of my bills online. It saves trees and eliminates the need for gasoline to be used by delivering the bill to me and then delivering my check to them.
4) I recycle all of my printer cartridges to reduce waste.

Christy O.

1) Whenever I can, I walk instead of driving.
2) I'm also a crazy paper recycler!  As a teacher, I don't let any of my fourth graders throw their papers in the trash. They have to put it in the recycling! And I mean it!
3) I also try to pick up trash (especially hot dog wrappers) from the field during the games (but I think that all of us ballgirls do that)!!

Debbie
1) I've changed all my light bulbs to new energy conserving ones (you know, the ones that look like spiral staircases).
2) I unplug my appliances whenever I'm not using them.
3) I use solar panel light fixtures to light the walkway to my house.
4) I plan to purchase Energy Star appliances as soon as I can afford them!

Janita

1) I use public transportation to get to the ballpark instead of paying a million dollars on gas and letting my car sit in the lot!
2) If I am sitting around the house I use cloth diapers on my daughter, Jacodi.
3) When my garbage goes out on Tuesdays I always have a nice size pile of recycled goods!

Elena
1)  I always fill a water jug up instead of using bottled water. 
2) I also open my windows wide to get a fresh breeze in my room as an alternative to using the air conditioner. 

Lauren
1) I switched from 2-ply to 1-ply toilet paper, because the 2-ply is deceiving, and you end up using more than you need. 
2)  I hardly ever use my heat or air conditioning. Because I live in a high rise, it doesn't usually get unbearably hot or cold, so I'll either use an extra blanket when it's cold, or open the window and use a fan when it's hot. 
3) I also don't leave lights on when I leave the room. 
4) Once I can afford it, I'll buy a more fuel-efficient car!

Teresa
1) I do not own a car (some say it's not by choice but I like to think that my low income is a great catalyst to my green capabilities)! I take public transit to and from work, every day. Yes, every day. In addition,
2) I am also a proud member of PhillyCarShare, the most comprehensive car-sharing network in and around Philadelphia. When I do sign out a car, I try to make sure it is a hybrid; my favorite is the Toyota Prius.
3) At home my house has an energy-efficient washer and dryer, which keeps our energy usage and bills to a minimum. 
4) I also like to shop at Whole Foods grocery store, a store that is dedicated to solely organic and healthy foods.

As for me:
1) Whenever the weather permits, I run outside instead of using a treadmill.
2) Instead of buying bottled water I bought a Brita filter and use reusable plastic cups.  I do the same with my coffee.
3) I try to combine errands (going to the bank and the grocery store) so I make one trip instead of a couple. Better still, it saves me money on gas!

The Phillies are also making an effort to be more green as well.  A special announcement is coming soon so be on the look out. 

We'd also love to know what you do to help the environment.  Please leave your comments and ideas below!