Of course, all of this has the ballgirls talking too.  Below, two of our veteran ballgirls reflect on their post-season experience 2007, and their "high hopes" for 2008!

Justine

Last year when we clinched the division championship I was lucky enough to be in the midst of the celebration. All of us ballgirls huddled in the grounds crew room beneath the field as we watched the debacle of the Mets and the final out of the Phillies game, which secured us the NL East Championship. The sight of the sea of white rally towels gave me chills that carried over until this season. Every time I would see a clip of last season with the fans waving those white towels high and with pride, all of the feelings I felt that day would come rushing back. That day still stands as one of the best days of my life (that is until I get to experience a World Series parade down broad street :). 

Last year the celebration was much different then the one we experienced this year. The Phils were the underdogs and winning the NL East was something that was completely unexpected. The result was pure chaos and celebration here at Citizens Bank Park because for the first time since 1993 the Phillies were heading to the playoffs.

This year I was once again fortunate enough to be here as we clinched the division title for the second consecutive year. As the last nerve racking inning came to an end and the celebration began, I turned to fellow ballgirl Sam and said "we did it!, we did it again!" This years celebration however was more of a tribute to the fans. The players and organization acknowledge what the hard work and dedication of the season has brought them, but they also realized how much unfinished business they had. October baseball in Philadelphia was cut extremely short last year, but this year the Phils believe they have much more October left in their season.

Last year, I sadly was not around for the playoffs because I had to return to college at the University of Pittsburgh. But this year I am now living in Philadelphia and was able to be on the field for the very first playoff game on Wednesday night. Lindsay and I did many media appearances in the early morning hours. So needless to say I was waving my rally towel since the sun came up Wednesday morning.

It is evident how bad the Phillies Phans want a World Series. On Wednesday OktoberPhest (the phillies pre-game pep rally and block party) kicked off. There was an incredible crowd of phans that came out to show their support. We sang high-hopes and once again waved those rally towels in the air. Goosebumps came across my body as the crowd watched the regular season high-lights and Scott Palmer fired up the crowd. As I stood during the national anthem fireworks filled the sky and the chills ran down my spine. The crowd was loud as can be and once again the ballpark was rocking with white towels. The feeling is truly indescribable, but if you were lucky enough to be at the park that day you know exactly what I am talking about. This is it...this is October baseball, and we are in it 'til the end! GO PHILS!

Christy G.

Working the first game of the playoffs this season was like a dream come true. Growing up I played baseball with the boys and always wanted play in the major leagues.. obviously as a girl that will never happen. As far as I am concerned this is the closest I will ever get, and for it to go all the way to the playoffs feels amazing. Sitting down the line fielding foul balls, hearing the screams of the fans, and seeing the rally towels fly was absolutely breathtaking.  I didn't want it to end. Just thinking about it still gives me goosebumps! It is a feeling and experience that I will never forget!!!

Don't forget to check out http://philliesinsider.mlblogs.com/ for more updates on your Phils!!!

They may not admit their behavior to fans or teammates, or they may try to justify it by calling it a routine--A-HEM, BRAD LIDGE--but if your rituals are working for you, why stop?  (Lord knows they've worked for Lidge this season.)

I asked the girls what "routines" they have before they work the lines at Citizen's Bank Park.  Their answers are below.

Lauren

I am not at all superstitious.  But I sometimes fear jinxes, so I will never point out if they are doing really well before the game is over, just in case I jinx the outcome. 

Teresa

When I know I'm going to be on the field, I like to go over possible scenarios in my head of what to do if the ball gets hit to me in fair territory. It sounds dorky but when Major Leaguers are hitting the ball as hard as they can down the foul line, it's NOT as easy as it looks to evade collisions! I'm a little superstitious; of course, I won't step on the line. And I only make left turns... kidding.

Debbie

This might sound strange, but I have to wash my hair before every game I work, whether it's on the field or green team.  After working in an office all day I have to run home and pretty much do my morning routine all over again?!?  The first thing I do when I get home after working a game is eat a light dinner.  Yeah, normally not until 11pm or later....it's my own fault, I could always eat dinner before I go to CBP but because I have to wash my hair I really don't have time to do both!!!  I grab a quick snack and run out the door....

Lindsay

I don't have many rituals but I always make sure I have a hat, a stack of baseball cards and at least 3 sharpies.

Sam

I don't have many pre game rituals, but I always go to the bathroom right before the game starts. I also never drink water after 4 p.m.so I wont have to go to the bathroom while I'm on the field. After the game I usually go home and watch baseball tonight.

Christy O.

Ok, this sounds a little weird, but when I'm getting ready to work a game, I like to make sure that my chair is in the perfect position.  I don't like when it's too close to the wall or too far away from the wall...it has to be just right for me to feel comfortable and ready to be the ballgirl for the game! 

Alison

As a ballgirl, I don't consider myself very superstitious, but as a college swimmer I definitely had a routine. I like to make sure that my body is ready to perform at its best, physically and mentally.  Stretching and warrming up is very important.  I also make sure I am focused and have very clear goals in my head that I can work for. I also used to have my ipod ready with my favorite pump-up music.

Christy G.

Before each game I need my gum and water to take my mind off of game time nerves!

I also never touch the chalk lines!

Janita

As a runner in college I definitely had a routine before big meets.  I would listen to live Version of Jay Z Unplugged featuring the Roots as LOUD AS I COULD, eat a bowl of oatmeal with toast, and take a long, hot shower.  I then began to visualize myself running and competing in my races that day.  The first thing I do when I get home is to soak in the bath with some Mcdonald french fries. 

Justine

When I go to park, I always park on the same side of the parking lot. I always have this weird feeling that if I don't park on the right hand side of the parking lot, something bad will happen. During the national anthem I like to stand right next to the Phanatic at home plate. If one of the Green Team girls are between me and the Phanatic I always feel as if its just not a good sign!

As a softball player, the only thing I really did was kick the dirt behind both of my feet each time I stepped in the batters box. I once had a teammate that made you uncross all of the bats that were leaning on the fence before she got up to bat because she thought it was bad luck!

Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?  Tells us about them in the Comments section below!  

I know this moment is one that I will be talking about over and over again for the next forever.  I'll talk about Jamie Moyer coming out when it mattered (for the second season in a row) and pitching 6 incredible innings. I'll talk about Jayson Werth's homerun and the fact that Brad Lidge almost gave me a heart attack (and definitely gave Sam a panic attack--she was hyperventilating behind me).  I'll tell people about Jimmy Rollins' final throw from his knees, Utley and Howard turning the double play, and fireworks shooting into the sky.  And I'll tell them about the usher at the top of the section who took me quite off guard when he picked me up and started jumping up and down.

In the words of Saturday's centerfield banner...WORLD SERIES OR BUST!!!!

Sam and Lindsay were there with me watching it all happen... their thoughts are below!

Sam
Jimmy Rollins was right when he said that, "It wouldn't be the Philly way, It doesn't matter what sport-- we don't make things easy." That is definitely what I was thinking in the 9th on Saturday when the bases were loaded and one of the Nationals best hitters (Ryan Zimmerman) was up to bat. But, when Jimmy Rollins made the sliding play and turned two, I was so excited (along with 45,000 other fans) that the Phillies had just won the NL East as well as clinched a playoff berth.

The atmosphere that the fans created really made the moment "Goosebump" material. The rally towels waving, the high fives all around, and a few hugs showed the excitement in CBP. It's really hard to describe how I am feeling right now, but I can say that I'm pretty confident the Phillies will get the job done against the Brewers in the NLDS. I think that our pitching rotation is strong, our offense is producing runs, and our bullpen is reliable. I know baseball is a game where nothing is guaranteed and anything can happen so I am really anxious to see how this series unfolds and hopefully it will end with some more Goosebumps and bear hugs!!!

Lindsay
Having experienced last year's champagne-popping party, I had some pretty "high hopes" for the Phillies 2008 NL East clinching celebration. Maybe it was that all the guys wore goggles this year as the champagne and Budweiser poured through the clubhouse, or the fact that the grounds crew's hoses didn't get turned onto the thousands of devoted Phillies fans cheering in the stands, but this year's celebration had something that last year's was lacking; confidence.  When the fireworks exploded over our heads, I wasn't saying to myself, "I can't believe this," like I was last year.  This time, I COULD believe it.  If felt like we (fans and players alike) deserved this more than any other team.  And this time, we know what to expect.   You heard it in Chase and Ryan's post-game speeches, there's more to come. So, what I felt right then as "2008 NL East Division Champs!" flashed on Phanavision was, "Bring it on, we've been waiting for this."

For more inside scoop on the NL East Division Champs, check out Larry Shenk's blog at

http://philliesinsider.mlblogs.com/

1) Which ballgirl was featured in the Top 10 Plays on ESPN's SportsCenter?  (Hint: She was #9 with a beautiful catch!)
A) Lindsay
B) Laura 
C) Sam
D) Alison
ANSWER:  Sam.  This one was easy.  There is a posting on it below.

2) Which of the following ballgirls is NOT a teacher?
A) Debbie
B) Katie
C) Christy O.
D) Lauren
ANSWER:  Debbie.  She is a recruiter. 

3) Which of the following ballgirls is still in college?
A) Janita
B) Gina
C) Christy G.
D) Irena
ANSWER:  Gina.  She is nursing student at the University of Delaware. 

4) Which ballgirl hails from Irvine, California?
A) Lindsay
B) Teresa
C) Jocelyn
D) Laura
ANSWER:  Teresa.  She was actually born in Ireland but her family eventually moved to California.

5) Which ballgirl would most likely take Shane Victorino's position as Team Pie Thrower?
A) Christy G.
B) Alison
C) Lindsay
D) Katie
ANSWER:  Lindsay.  She is the practical joker of the crew.

6) Which ballgirl is a triplet?
A) Jocelyn
B) Justine
C) Irena
D) Christy O.
ANSWER:  Christy O.  She had 2 brothers.

7) Which ballgirl was once serenaded on stage by Nick Lachey?
A) Christy G.
B) Debbie
C) Gina
D) Lauren
ANSWER:  Christy G.  She won tickets for a Nick Lachey concert through a radio station and was pulled up on stage and Nick serenaded her.  Its on You Tube.

8) Which ballgirl was a college track star?
A) Alison
B) Janita
C) Christy O.
D) Justine
ANSWER:  Janita.  Before moving to the East Coast, Janita was a track star at the University of Nevada.

9) Which ballgirl was a swimming star in college?
A) Gina
B) Irena
C) Laura
D) Alison
ANSWER:  Alison.  Alison was a Division I swimmer at Drexel University.

10)  Which ballgirl runs marathons in her free time?
A) Jocelyn
B) Christy G.
C) Sam
D) Teresa
ANSWER:  Jocelyn.  She runs in her "free time" when she isn't on the field or writing out blog.

11) Which of the following ballgirls owns her own business?
A) Irena
B) Laura
C) Debbie
D) Christy O.
ANSWER:  Irena.  Irena and her business partner are owners of a regional publication in South Jersey.

12) Which ballgirl was a tennis phenom?
A) Lindsay
B) Katie
C) Jocelyn
D) Teresa
ANSWER:  Katie.  Katie was a 4 year varsity tennis player in high school.

13) Which of the following ballgirls has the longest commute to CBP?
A) Laura
B) Lauren
C) Lindsay
D) Sam
 ANSWER:  Laura.  Laura lives in Kintnersville, PA. 

14) Which ballgirl works as a waitress for Pizzeria U no's patrons visiting Sesame Place?
A) Irena
B) Gina
C) Justine
D) Alison
ANSWER:  Justine.  During summer breaks from school, Justine not only makes many ballgirl appearances but also earns some extra spending money as a waitress.

15) Which ballgirl attended Syracuse University?
A) Lauren
B) Debbie
C) Irena
D) Janita
ANSWER:  Lauren.  Lauren received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Syracuse University.

There you have it...all the answers.  How well did you do???

It's that time again!  The time of year when every game counts, and every pitch is exciting.  What better time to have a pre-post-season Phillies party?

That's exactly what the ballgirls did last week.  It can be hard to get a group of 15 girls together, but every few months we make the effort to hangout, have some food, and talk about all things baseball.

Last week we had a potluck dinner, and of course, we kept baseball as our theme.  Our recipes are pasted below.  So grab some friends, turn on the game, and enjoy!

Justine

Kyle Kendrick's Kickin' Chicken Dip

 1 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained

 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

 1 cup Ranch dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing

 3/4 cup pepper sauce, such as Franks® Red Hot®

 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Soften cream cheese and mix all ingredients except for the cheddar cheese together. Once mixed smooth out and top off with the cheddar cheese. Cook in oven on 350 degrees for approximately 20 mins. Serve with crackers.

ENJOY!!

Teresa

Breaking-Ball-BLT Pasta Salad

Being anything BUT a cook, the team dinner was a bit of a challenge for me. I had to get a little help from outside sources but I was given a suggestion for a great recipe for a BLT Pasta Salad (without the lettuce of course!) It's a different variation of regular pasta salad with tons of added flavor. And trust me, if I could make it, ANYONE can!

Here are the ingredients that I used:

1 (16 ounce) package medium seashell pasta

1 pound sliced bacon

1 1/2 cups light Ranch-style salad dressing

1 small red onion, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 (16 ounce) package, frozen peas

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water to cool.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.

While waiting for bacon to fully cook, chop tomatoes, onions, and defrost peas.

In a large bowl, stir together the Ranch dressing, onion, peas, and tomatoes. Mix in the cooled pasta. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing, so don't worry if it seems like too much. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Add bacon over the top just before serving.

If you want a healthier version, whole wheat pasta is a great alternative along with low-fat Ranch dressing. The peas are a great addition because of their color, but if you don't like peas, give chopped celery a try or maybe even Rotini noodles! Enjoy and GO PHILS!!

Lauren

Seventh Inning Stretch Salsa

Take a break in the 7th with this classic pico de gallo recipe!

Makes: 4 cups (serves 6)

You need:

3 fresh tomatos (4 if they are smaller vine tomatos)

2/5 of a medium size red onion

1 jalepeno pepper, or 1 1/2 for those who like it HOT (only the green part; discard stem, all seeds and white insides, because that leaves a bitter taste)

1 handful of cilantro (approx. 1/2 cup, including stems and leaves)

approx. 1 TBSP of lime juice

approx. 1 TBSP or more of Garlic Salt

Using a blender or a cuisinart, chop the above items into little pieces.  Do not complete liquify.  Pour the chunky mix into a bowl, and add Garlic Salt!  This is the secret ingredient.  I sprinkle it over the salsa several times, and I am not shy about it.  You want to have plenty to give it its flavor.  For extra flavor, add 1 TBSP of lime juice.

Enjoy!  Just make sure you get back to your seats before the Phanatic does his dance!

Alison

Chris Coste Cucumber and Tomato Salad

This recipe is a summer staple - right up there with cookouts, baseball games, and watermelon!

1 large cucumber, halved and sliced

3 medium tomatoes, seeded and sliced

1/4 red onion, chopped

fresh basil, chopped

olive oil

red wine vinegar

salt and pepper

Toss the cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, and basil together in a large bowl.  Add a splash of red wine vinegar and a generous splash of olive oil, toss again.  Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.

Lindsay

Skipper's Crabcakes

Ingredients:

 Any lump crab meat (the more the better)

 Crushed Ritz crackers

 Mayonnaise (just enough to keep the ingredients together)

 Mustard (to taste)

 Old Bay seasoning

 Diced green peppers

 Fresh lemon juice

It's REALLY easy.  Just throw all the ingredients together into a bowl.  Form cakes to desired size and bake in the oven at 400 degrees until they are toasty on top.  Charlie just loves them!  ;)

Debbie

Taco Baseball Caps

Ingredients

Caps

2 cups Corn Chex® cereal

2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1 package (1.25 oz) Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup warm water

Filling

1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (3 oz)

1 small chopped tomato (1/2 cup)

3/4 cup shredded lettuce

Directions

Preparation Directions

1.      Heat oven to 375°F. Crush cereal. (To easily crush cereal, place in plastic bag or between sheets of waxed paper, and crush with rolling pin.)

2.      In large bowl, mix crushed cereal, flour, 1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning mix, the baking powder and garlic powder. Cut in shortening until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Gradually stir in water, mixing well to form soft dough. (If dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.) Divide dough into 2 equal parts; cover with damp towel until ready to use. Roll out dough, 1 part at a time, on lightly floured surface to 1/16-inch thickness. Cut into six 4-inch rounds.

3.      Place each round of dough in each of 6 ungreased regular muffin cups in 12-cup muffin pan, alternating cups and making sure dough is even with rim of cup on one side of each. On opposite side of each, extend dough over rim and press firmly for "bill of cap." Press dough firmly and evenly onto bottom and sides of cup.

4.      Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully remove from muffin cups to cooling rack. Repeat with remaining dough.

5.      Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef with remaining taco seasoning mix over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and thoroughly cooked. Drain. Fill each cap with beef mixture, shredded cheese, tomato and lettuce.

Christy O.

Phanatic Strawberry Spinach Salad

I call this the "Phanatic Strawberry Spinach Salad" because all of the bright green spinach reminds me of our bright green Phanatic!  The red strawberries are also very appropriate for the Phillies!  Plus, the salad is really yummy and very popular at any party (just like the Phanatic!)

1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp poppy seeds

2 tbsp minced onion

1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/2 cup canola oil

salt and pepper to taste

2 bunches baby spinach leaves

1/4 red onion, sliced

1. Puree 1/4 of the strawberries in a blender or food processor.

2. Add sugar, poppy seeds, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and vinegar to the blender.  Mis well.

3. Add oil in a stream with the blender running.  Season dressing with salt and pepper.

4. Toss spinach, remaining strawberries and red onion.

5. Serve with freshly ground black pepper.

Also, it seems like there are a lot of unusual ingredients for the dressing, but it really is yummy!  I promise!!

We would love to hear about some of the snacks Phils' Phans chow down with while their watching their favorite team. 

1) Which ballgirl was featured in the Top 10 Plays on ESPN's SportsCenter?  (Hint: She was #9 with a beautiful catch!)
A) Lindsay
B) Laura 
C) Sam
D) Alison

2) Which of the following ballgirls is NOT a teacher?
A) Debbie
B) Katie
C) Christy O.
D) Lauren

3) Which of the following ballgirls is still in college?
A) Janita
B) Gina
C) Christy G.
D) Irena 

4) Which ballgirl hails from Irvine, California?
A) Lindsay
B) Teresa
C) Jocelyn
D) Laura

5) Which ballgirl would most likely take Shane Victorino's position as Team Pie Thrower?
A) Christy G.
B) Alison
C) Lindsay
D) Katie

6) Which ballgirl is a triplet?
A) Jocelyn
B) Justine
C) Irena
D) Christy O.

7) Which ballgirl was once serenaded on stage by Nick Lachey?
A) Christy G.
B) Debbie
C) Gina
D) Lauren

8) Which ballgirl was a college track star?
A) Alison
B) Janita
C) Christy O.
D) Justine

9) Which ballgirl was a swimming star in college?
A) Gina
B) Irena
C) Laura
D) Alison

10)  Which ballgirl runs marathons in her free time?
A) Jocelyn
B) Christy G.
C) Sam
D) Teresa

11) Which of the following ballgirls owns her own business?
A) Irena
B) Laura
C) Debbie
D) Christy O.

12) Which ballgirl was a tennis phenom?
A) Lindsay
B) Katie
C) Jocelyn
D) Teresa

13) Which of the following ballgirls has the longest commute to CBP?
A)  Laura
B)  Lauren
C)  Lindsay
D)  Sam

14) Which ballgirl works as a waitress when she isn't in school or sporting her Phillies pinstripes?
A) Irena
B) Gina
C) Justine
D) Alison

15) Which ballgirl attended Syracuse University?
A) Lauren
B) Debbie
C) Irena
D) Janita

Lauren
My absolute best moment was during a game I was working on the field. I got to know a little boy in the front row who is autistic, and gave him the only ball that came down the line that game.  As he and his father got up to leave the game, his father thanked me and told me that it was actually his son's birthday and that I made his night. 

Irena
My favorite team moment was our ballgirl rock climbing night.  It was great to have a time where most of the team could get together.  It's hard for us to all get together with such different schedules so I always look forward to those nights.  It is also during this night that I learned, and loved, the fact that Christy O. literally squeaks when she gets nervous!  It's hilarious!

Christy G.
My favorite Phils memory was getting my name chanted by the fans after making a nice snag at a foul ball! So cool!

Sam
One event that sticks out in my mind was visiting a school in Philadelphia to deliver the toys we collected from Christmas in July. The excitement that the kids had when they opened their gifts was unforgettable.

Another one of my favorite moments was this past Mets series when the Phillies came back from a seven-run deficit to win in 13 innings!!! I was lucky enough to be on the field that night and experienced the atmosphere that the great fans of Philadelphia had created.  (Definitely constant goosebumps!!)

Laura
My favorite memory from this year was dancing on the dugout for Retro Night while wearing the 70's hot pants outfit. It was really neat to see the women who still work at the stadium today come up and say, "I wore that outfit once!" I think it brought back a lot of good memories for the Phillies fans and staff. Even though the uniform was a bit hot and itchy, it was still a blast wearing it around just for that night and seeing the smiles on people's faces!!

Christy O
I think that my favorite moment this season was when Pat Burrell was in the final vote for the All-Star team!  Walking around the city with "Vote for Pat" t-shirts and sandwich boards was something that I never imagined I would be doing, but the campaign for Pat was exciting!  I know that he didn't make it on the team, but it was fun to encourage all of Philadelphia to "Vote for Pat!"

Katie
My favorite memory so far as a ballgirl was the Phillies Golf Outing at Gulph Mills Country Club. There were lots of Phillies alumni, Phillies sponsors, and even some Phillies front office personnel. The girls and I got to tee off and putt for the players. I got to tee off for Mike Schmidt and putt for Steve Carlton! It was really a great experience and one that I will never forget!

Debbie
My favorite moment this season was dressing up for 70's Retro Night!  I loved reminiscing with some of the original hot pants patrol members who now work in the Phillies front office.  I also enjoyed watching fans stuff their shirts and pants with money during the "money grab" (although I quickly learned that bending over to pick up the bills was pretty rough).  Best of all was seeing Dan Baker and Scott Palmer all dressed up in their 70's garb--it was so funny!  

Here's hoping that September (AND OCTOBER) produce just as many memorable moments!

My mom and I arrived at 9:15 a.m., dressed in our Phillies red and white, with baseball gloves in hand.  We were greeted by smiling Phillies women, who checked us in, gave us our welcome packets, and directed us down to the Diamond Club.

Even just being in the Diamond Club was an exciting experience for most of us (especially considering the whole day program cost less than two Diamond Club tickets).  After a warm introduction from our beloved master of ceremonies, Scott Palmer, we headed outside to hear about the Phillies field from the man that knows it best... Head Groundskeeper Mike Boekholder. 

Let me tell you, these women had some excellent questions and they didn't hold back.  (They asked about the Jimmy Buffet concert twice.)  I learned that there is a layer of sand under the field for drainage, that the mowing patterns on the grass affect how the ball actually plays (so those Red Sox stockings at Fenway Park must make life interesting for visiting teams), and that each starting pitcher likes the mound to have a different feel... Moyer likes it softer, Myers likes it hard, and Hamels and Kendrick like it somewhere in the middle.

After the grounds crew we took to the field for some stretching led by the ever-charismatic Janita Styles, and then broke into groups for throwing, pitching, baserunning, and hitting stations.

Any woman would be proud of the totally non-girlie throws produced by the Baseball 101 women, and Milt Thompson was definitely impressed with my mom's hitting (she totally showed me up).  There were no questions about Pat Burrell's marital status, no screams about breaking a nail, and no women sitting on the sidelines.  These were serious baseball fans who came to play!

Some of my favorite parts were listening to Jimy Williams talk about players being able to find the laces of the ball without even looking, Rich Dubee discussing the different pitchers' conditioning routines and how he deals with new pitchers who join the Phils pitching staff, listening to Milt's advice to say, "Breathe, step, throw" as you go to hit the ball, and hearing Davey Lopes explain that he uses a stopwatch to time a pitcher's windup and determine which players are fast enough to steal on him (although Victorino and Rollins have the green light whenever they want to try).

After our stations we took a break for lunch (which included my favorite chocolate-covered pretzels) and got some broadcasting tips from Phillies Radio Broadcaster Scott Franzke.  Irena worked the event and mentioned that this part of the program was one of her favorite parts of the day!

"The first was when Scott Franzke chose participants to take a try at announcing a few portions of video clips from games throughout the season.  First we listened to Scott's version and then we listened to the ladies' live versions.  Although Scott's versions sounded a bit more polished, the women's announcements were extremely entertaining."

Next came a discussion with Frank Coppenbarger, Director of Team Travel and Clubhouse Services, who discussed the Phillies' food allowance, uniform demands, fancy cleat designs, and the extra-baggy pants made especially for a well-known outfielder that the Phillies were fighting for.  Sadly Manny didn't end up in a Phillies uniform, but ballgirl Christy still got to try on his pants!

Then came a Q&A session with Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who talked about Phillies fans, his "routine" (he doesn't like to call them superstitions, routines are more manly), and his least favorite people to pitch to (Todd Helton was one).

Suprisingly, Lidge's interview didn't cause nearly as much of a fuss as the visit of baseball's favorite mascot.  In Irena's words, "My second favorite part of the day was the arrival of the Phanatic and his not so swift departure.  So many women wanted to take their picture with the ever-so-handsome Phanatic that he practically had to be dragged out of the Diamond Club!"

The entire day was amazing.  My mom said it was the best day of her whole summer, and I'm so glad I got to share this special Phillies experience with her.

Fortunately for us, even the longest work day is usually a lot of fun with the Phils.  On Friday we stood at the gates in our fabulous Santa outfits and collected toys for the Children's Crisis Treatment Center in Philadelphia. 

Thank you so much to everyone who donated!!  After the 7th inning we danced on the dugout to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You."  

Yes, just another day at the office chock full of Christmas costumes and a furry green Phanta Claus.

Saturday brought Phillies Photo Day, with thousands of fans lining up to meet their favorite Phillies players.

It was wonderful to get to go out and meet so many diehard Phillies fans, sign some autographs, and take some pictures.  Hopefully everyone managed to collect all of the ballgirl's baseball cards and get pictures with their fave Phillies players!  Those fans tough enough to brave the heat were rewarded with an amazing game, and some offensive streaks guaranteed to show up on Sportscenter.

Sunday meant a 1:30 game, with a 117 minute rain delay!  Fortunately our boys pulled out a win...it made the wait worthwhile for all of the fans who were crammed up on the concourse for nearly two hours with very little breathing room.  Most of the sold-out crowd waited out the delay and screamed and cheered their Phils onto a 12-10 win!

Then Monday morning Teresa and I had the wonderful opportunity to appear on CBS 3 at 6:20 and Fox News on 8:40 to talk about The Phillies Phestival!  This year the event brought in $758,000 which is an all-time record high.

See you in August...it's time for a nap!

This was the Ballgirls second year winning the tournament, which included the Sixers' Dancers, the KiXX Dance Team, the Philadelphia Soul's Soulmates Dance Team, the Flyers Delta Dental Ice Girls, the Wings' Angels Dance Team, and various media personalities.  The event raises money for the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation, Phillies Charities, and the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.  

In their first game, the Ballgirls faced the Kixx dance team, who gave the girls a run for their money with strong pitching and a talented shortstop.  The ballgirls battled back with   strong hitting steaks, including two 10-batter innings.  They defeated the Kixx and moved on to game two vs. the Soulmates Dance team.

The Soulmates, who performed an impressive dance routine between the games, gave the ballgirls their toughest competition of the day with impressive offensive skills.  Don Bell provided some impressive pitching to keep the ballgirls in the game, and Lindsay Brown (who hit two inside-the-park homeruns during the tournament), Marshall Harris, and Laura Litzenberger provided key hits to keep the offense on track.

In the championship game, the ballgirls faced the Flyers Delta Dental Ice Girls, who had a bye in the second round of the tournament.  The ballgirls stayed strong, and were supported by Don Bell's pitching and a fabulous catch from Right Fielder Janita Styles-- a softball rookie who played like a pro!    

The Ballgirls would like to thank all of the fans who braved the heat and helped raise money for some wonderful charities.  We hope you come out again next year... the rumor is the event will be held at the Jersey Shore!

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. 

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.

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!