A crowd of Phillies fans gathered at the Franklin Institute this past weekend to enjoy Phillies Spring Training Day. Families showed up to enjoy the festivities and have a fun, educational day at the museum. This year, the event was even more special with the ribbon cutting ceremony for new sports memorabilia in The Sports Challenge exhibit.

The Phanatic kicked off the event with the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Hopefully, the Phanatic’s special touch will help heal Utley’s hurt knee!

The kids played an intense round of musical chairs to win a free pair of Phillies tickets.

Dan Baker asked Phillies trivia to all the kids for a chance to win bobbleheads, backpacks, and other fun Phillies gear.

 To top off the event, we got to explore Leonardo Da Vinci’s Workshop exhibit. We couldn’t take any pictures to show you, but it’s definitely worth heading into the city to check out!

 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

 

Local Fashion Designers Selected for Macy’s Phillies Ballgirls Uniform Design Challenge

Finalists to showcase ballgirl uniform designs at Macy’s Runway Show on March 31

 

The Phillies Ballgirls are about to get a new uniform – thanks to 14 local designers vying to be the next MVP of fashion.

 

After a week-long judging process, Macy’s and the Phillies have selected 14 finalists to take part in the Macy’s Phillies Ballgirls Uniform Design Challenge. Each of the finalists will create a new Phillies Ballgirl uniform, be assigned a Phillies Ballgirls as a model, and showcase the finalist’s vision during a live runway show at Macy’s Center City on Thursday, March 31. The winning uniform design, chosen during the runway show by a panel of judges, will be worn by the Phillies Ballgirls at select off-field community appearances during the 2011 season.

 

The competing designers have a variety of professional backgrounds, from designing accessories to swimwear to children’s clothing.

 

“We are so pleased with the pool of applicants for the Macy’s Phillies Ballgirls Design Challenge,” said Melissa Ludwig, Macy’s District Vice President. “Philadelphians have a lot of talent and the finalists selected are all outstanding designers who understand the need for fashion and functionality. They are no doubt the perfect candidates to develop a uniform to represent the Phillies Ballgirls, as well as the Phillies and Macy’s brands.”

 

“The submissions we received for the Macy’s Phillies Ballgirls Design Challenge were just fantastic,” said Michele DeVicaris, Manager, Phillies Ballgirls. “Each of the designers selected has a keen eye for what’s fresh and fashionable, and we can’t wait to join our fans in seeing these creations come to life during the live runway fashion show at Macy’s on March 31.”

 

More information regarding the live runway show at Macy’s will be available soon at www.phillies.com/ballgirls.

 

Macy’s Phillies Ballgirls Design Challenge Finalists

Karen Bloomfield – Lansdale, Pa.	Attended Philadelphia University - BS, Fashion Design	Lilly Pulitzer assistant fashion designer; NBC 10 “Runway Challenge” finalist
Jeanne Douglass – Sinking Spring, Pa.	Cornell University – BS, Fiber Science & Apparel Design; Philadelphia University, Masters – Fashion Apparel	Gymnastics apparel designer for GK-Elite Sportswear
Rachel Marie Godwin – Media, Pa.	Attended The International Academy of Design & Technology – Fashion Design	Owner, designer of Rachel Marie Specialty Apparel Designs; Received “Best of Show – Most Marketable Collection” Swimwear
Michele Gresh – Forth Washington, Pa.	Attended Philadelphia University – BS, Fashion Design	Co-founder, designer of Modern Unity; Finalist in 2009 Independent Handbag Designer Awards
Elizabeth LaBrasca – Manayunk, Pa.	Attending Philadelphia University	Visual display & merchandising intern for Anthropologie
Rachel Lichtenwalner – Macungie, Pa.	Attending Marist College  - BS Fashion Design	Design selected to be in Marist College Silver Needle Fashion Show
Pamela Martin – Riverton, NJ	Attended Philadelphia University – BS, Fashion Design	Former runner-up for NBC “Runway Challenge”
Jaime Melfi – Haddonfield, NJ	Attended Appalachian State University – Apparel & Textiles	Accessory designer, has own label; Art specialist with Gloucester County YMCA
Jessica Mintz – Basking Ridge, NJ	Junior at Drexel University – BS, Fashion Design	Fashion reporter for The Triangle, Drexel University; Offered design internship at Nanette Lepore
Jessica Hume Morris – Langhorne, Pa.	Attended Pratt Institute – BFA, Fashion Design	Interned for Christian Siriano; Worked for indie designer Zoe Twitt; Working on own design label
Kelsey Pushkarewicz – Newark, De.	Junior at University of Delaware - BS, Apparel Design	Former design intern for QVC & Fran Caselli
Aleksandra Svetlichnaya – Upper Holland, Pa.	Attended Art Institute of Philadelphia – BS, Fashion Design	Owner, designer of SVET by Aleksandra; former intern for Michael Kors; 2009 Costumer designer/director on Spike TV’s “Playbook” & Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary
Katie Todorow – Quakertown, Pa.	Attending Drexel University – BA, Fashion Design	Intern for Deborah Marquit Couture Lingerie
Huy Tran – Philadelphia, Pa.	Attended The Fashion Institute of Technology	Associate designer for Notations

 

ABOUT THE PHILLIES BALLGIRLS

The Phillies Ballgirls are ambassadors for the Phillies both on and off the field. They represent educated, athletic and energetic women who serve as role models in professional sports for young girls. During each game the Ballgirls sit on the first and third baselines to field foul balls and give them to lucky young Phillies fans. They also run softball clinics, attend charity events, play in charity softball games and captain the Phillies Red Goes Green Team.  Phillies Ballgirls are an integral part of the Phillies organization and have been featured on many TV and radio programs including SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays on ESPN.

 

 

“Buy me some peanuts and Apple Jacks…” Who wouldn’t have smiled at this new rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame that was sung by a young girl at our softball clinic last Sunday at Flanigan Center http://nsplsoftball.com/home/default.asp?menu_category=Home&menuid=404&parid=404] in Newtown Square? This event is a ballgirl tradition that we always look forward to because we get to spend an afternoon hanging out with some pretty cool 6-12 year olds. The girls arrive decked out in their Phillies gear and ready for a fun day of softball.

 

We split up into stations and allowed each group of girls to spend 20 minutes at each spot. All the groups got to pick their own team names, and I knew it would be an exciting day when my first group called themselves the Chunky Funky Hunky Monkeys.  After we stretched out, the girls put their softball skills to the test.

 

Becca, Jamie, Samantha, and I were working on infielding skills.

We played a game that the goal was to throw grounders past the other team to eliminate their players. As you can see, Becca gave it her all, but the nine year olds won out and made us proud!

Katelyn, a slugger herself, taught the basics of hitting and showed the girls how to “squish a bug” when up at bat.

Patti and Bridgette seemed to be enjoying themselves while running the outfielding station.

Brittany and Sammy made sure the girls knew how to catch a pop up with both hands.

At the end of the clinic, all of the girls got to take home their own whammy hands, and we quizzed them with some Phillies trivia. I was especially impressed by the girls who knew how many games the Phillies play in a season. You could tell they really knew their stuff. With such great softball skills and a lot of love for the Phillies, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few rising ballgirls come from this group. Just a few more years, and we’ll be looking for them on the sidelines!

 If you are interested in having the Phillies Ballgirls host a clinic for your softball team, please contact Michele DeVicaris at mdevicaris@phillies.com.

Go Phils!

Get your DVR’s ready, folks. This Phillies season won’t be lacking in moments that you’ll be wanting to rewind and watch again in slow motion. It’s no news to anyone that our pitching rotation could be one of the best in history, but there’s so much more that has to fall into place to take this team to the World Series. Fans are already checking out the new prospects in Clearwater and predicting who will hit the field on Opening Day. Like of the rest of you avid fans, the ballgirls are anxiously awaiting what will shape up during Spring Training and have our own predictions of what’s to come for this exciting season.

Tori
With the Phillies heading down south to prepare for the long awaited season, I have much anticipation about the bullpen, who will bat in the 5th spot and who will replace Jayson Werth.  I’m interested to see how Brad Lidge performs since he didn’t have to endure 2 surgery’s like he did last off season.  I am also interested to see how Jimmy Rollins will come back this year with some much needed rest. My fingers are crossed for a big come back season for him.  Since Jayson Werth moved onto the Nationals (tear), this leaves the notorious question of who will replace him for the Phillies?  I think with a little work on his performance at the plate, Mayberry could be a great candidate as well as Ben Francisco.  I really hope that Dominic Brown can bounce back from his not so great fall season and fine tune his talent for the upcoming season.  Also with Werth being gone I am anxious to see who will fill the 5th spot in the hitting line up, time will tell….

Moira
Finally!  Warm weather, Phillies baseball, and the beginning of what should be an extremely exciting season!  With Werth no longer a part of the squad, I think we will see a lot of Ben Francisco in right field while sharing some of that time with Dominic Brown.  With that being said, Dominic Brown will be the obvious prospect to look out for, but he’s not the only player we should be excited about!  Jonathan Singleton is going to try to stray away from his natural position of first base because we all know that is Ryan Howard’s stomping grounds.  Instead, he will try to find a place to call home in the outfield, which could turn into something great!  As for the bullpen, we will be golden if Lidge and Madson live up to what they are capable of…hopefully we will not need to access the bullpen much with our AMAZING rotation!  In regards to offense, we definitely need a big year from Jimmy Rollins this year regardless of his number in the lineup because when Jimmy’s on, the rest of the team follows.  Overall, this season has such awesome potential and I truly believe that it’s safe to say that each and every one of our opponents will be nervous to face us in 2011!

Kristina
With the temperatures rising in the Philadelphia area I continue to get more excited for the 2011 season to start.  Since I can’t travel to Florida this year I continually watch the news/sports center for coverage of Phillies Spring Training.  I am so ready for warm weather, baseball, and red pinstripes!   One of my predictions for the 2011 season is a break out year for outfielder Domonic Brown.  Last year he got a taste of the big leagues and I feel this year he will really come into his own and be a major contributor defensively as well as at the plate. 

Sammy
What can I say about this upcoming season that might possibly be one of the most dominating in years! With solid fielding in all positions the Phillies defense is sure to be one of the strongest in the league! After an off-season to recover, I predict Jimmy Rollins will be back at the top of his game and making the amazing double plays with his teammate in the middle infield, Chase Utley.  I think, in place of jason werth in right field, Dominic Brown will show he has what it takes to make the starting lineup and compete with the best.  After working on his hitting in the off-season with Greg Gross, Brown will be ready to play!  I can’t wait to experience what will definitely be a dominant season!

Becca
I not quite sure what my predictions are about Brown taking over in left field, but I do know that I am extremely excited to see how it goes! While I think we will miss Werth’s field coverage, great arm, and presence at the plate, I always enjoying watching young players come through the system and seeing what they can do. I’m also really looking forward to seeing the adjustments our offence has made, especially Ryan Howard. I think that watching our incredible lineup finally come together will be great and I can’t wait to see them all come home and play at Citizen Bank Park!

Katelyn
The best part of February is finally here–Spring Training time!!! Like most people, I expect great things from the Phillies this year.  I predict that right field will be shared by Ben Francisco and Domonic Brown but Spring Training will be the true test.  I think that our bullpen might not be very busy this year considering who our starting pitchers are!  I think that Chase Utley will step up and have a much better offensive season this year. I am excited to see some of the new prospects when I make my trip down the Clearwater in March.  I also agree with Jimmy Rollins’ prediction that this year will break the MLB record for most wins in history!

Bridgette
As far as predictions for this season go, I’d like to see John Mayberry Jr. and Ben Francisco step up to fill the shoes of Jayson Werth in left field. I’d also like to see the team rally offensively, and for the line-up to stay healthy without any major injuries, especially among the team leaders.

Patti
I cannot wait for Spring Training this year because it means our 2nd annual trip to Clearwater! I’m hoping we’ll get to see some stellar performances by DBrown in rightfield. As far as predictions for the unraveling of the season, clearly everyone is stoked about our bullpen but I’m still a little disappointed about my predictions last season falling through so I’m going to play it safe here and just predict “awesomeness”…can’t argue with that.

Bonnie
The right-handed hitting slot, left vacant by Werth’s departure, presents a prime opportunity for Francisco or Mayberry to fill the void in this powerful left-handed hitting lineup. I also am predicting that Rollins will have a career year by topping his personal highs for battings average, runs scored, and stolen bases. He’ll be the offensive spark plug that they’ll need to carry them to another winning season.

You never fail to impress us Phillies fans. The turn out for the first day of ticket sales was great! Tori, Leanne, and Jess were at the gates for the big event on Thursday and captured a few shots we would like to share for those who missed. You can of course still call the ticket office or go online if you weren’t able to purchase tickets in person on Thursday. Hurry up and get your hands on some and we’ll see you at the park soon!

Leanna and Jess are all smiles as they anxiously wait for sales to start.

The lines were long, but that didn’t stop the determined fans.

This group of fans was particularly determined. They waited from 7:00pm Wednesday night until 8:30am Thursday morning to secure their spot at the very front of the line. Major props to Rob (left, back
row) for being the first in line for the second year in a row!

The Phanatic even came out to show his excitement and appreciation to all the waiting fans.

At the end of the day, there were many satisfied buyers who proclaimed their purchases were well worth the wait.

My apologies…you’ve seen their pics from our photo shoot and have probably seen their names multiple times, but we’ve yet to officially introduce you to our Rookies for 2011! We took a few top fan questions (and some questions we just think are fun) and polled the new girls. Of course, the one thing we all have in common is our love for the Phillies and the great game of baseball, but besides that, the Rookies have some interesting stories I’ll let them tell you about…
- Bonnie

Name: Jamie

Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Softball position: 2nd and 3rd mainly, with some SS and catcher mixed in

Favorite ballpark food: Crab fries, with cheese!

Job: Transportation engineer

Favorite Phillies memory: Hopefully, yet to come.  But so far…I think that I smiled for a week straight after the Phillies won the World Series in 2008.  It doesn’t get much better than that. Going to the parade and celebrating with all of the other loyal fans was one of the best days that I can remember!

 

 

 

Name: Moira

Hometown: Ambler, Pennsylvania

Softball position: 1st base

Favorite ballpark food: Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries

School: University of Delaware

Favorite Phillies memory: Finding out I was a 2011 Phillies Ballgirl!!!!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Samantha (nickname Sam)

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Softball position: Third base, Short stop

Favorite ballpark food: Hot dog

School: Camden County College

Favorite Phillies memory: My favorite Phillies memory is, watching Halladay pitch a no-hitter in his first play-off game.

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Maureen (nickname Mo)

Hometown: Gloucester Twp., NJ

Softball position: Center field

Favorite ballpark food: Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries

Job/school: Moorestown Running Company
Assistant Softball Coach at Centenary College
Graduate student at Centenary College

Favorite Phillies memory: My favorite Phillies moment is when they won the World Series in 2008. I was in college at Montlciar State watching the game in my apartment with my softball teammates who are all Mets or Yankee fans. When we won I was so excited that I screamed and ran around my apartment! I knew I had to go to the parade. On parade day we were suppose to go with two of my friends and my parents. When we arrived at the PATCO station to catch the train there was a huge line for tickets and we knew we’d never make it in time. My Dad took one for the team and decided to drive us over the Ben Franklin and into Philly to drop off my Mom, myself and my friends. He went home to watch the parade on tv since there wasn’t any parking and said to call him and he would pick us back up. We saw the whole parade and had a blast with all the Phillies Phans! After the parade, we decided it would be fun to walk over the bridge and have my dad pick us up on the Jersey side. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!

 

Name: Genevieve. A lot of people call me Gen, but it must be spelled with a G! My family calls me Gigi and a majorityof my friends call me G, Vieve, Gvieve, or Geeg.

Hometown: Levittown, PA

Softball position: Third base

Favorite ballpark food: Crab fries

Job/School: Coordinator of New Media & Marketing for Villanova Athletics/ Hofstra University

Favorite Phillies memory: Besides becoming a ballgirl, my favorite Phillies memory was being able to watch the Phillies win the World Series in New York! I was working there at the time so I made sure everyone knew that I was a Phillies Phan!

 

 

 

Name: Sammy

Hometown: Warrington, PA

Softball position: Outfielder

Favorite ballpark food: Soft pretzels

School: Penn State University

Favorite Phillies memory: Watching my dad jump up and down and dance after the final pitch by Lidge in the final game of the World Series.

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Leanne

Hometown: Norwood, PA

Softball position: Catcher/Shortstop

Favorite ballpark food:  Dollar dogs (have to be wrapped in foil)

Job/school:  Coordinator and student (pre-dental at UPenn)

Favorite Phillies memory:  Travelling down to D.C. last year to see the Phillies play – the night after Roy Halladay threw a two-hit shutout and the Phillies clinched the NL East title – and making it on TV with our “It’s Always Phunner in Philadelphia” sign (and almost catching Raul Ibanez’s homerun!).

 

Perhaps it was the recent trading card photo shoot that inspired this week’s blog? Or maybe it’s all the pre Super Bowl excitement in the air? Whatever it is, we sure did have a fun time with the blog this week. The ballgirls and I wanted to share our Super Bowl predictions with you and we decided to get creative. Below is a collection of poses/dances that exemplify how each of us would celebrate if we were to score a touch down during the big game. 

Bonnie would celebrate by jumping into the crowd of screaming fans while Bridgette would bust out the dougie dance move.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brittany would be so overcome with joy that should would not be able to contain herself and would be cart-wheeling all over the end zone.

 

Other ladies would strike a pose for the paparazzi while Patti would be calling the shots in black and white stripes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter what team you are rooting for, we hope you enjoy watching the game as much as we did taking these snap shots!