Happy Father's Day

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!