Phillies seek ballgirls, Eagles seek drummers

Looking for a "sideline" job?

The Phillies have some openings along their foul lines, and Eagles are looking to start a drumline.

The pomp and pageantry of pro sports must be fed.

Oct. 4 is the date to note for both types of prospective applicants. That's the deadline for potential ballgirls to mail in resumes and videos. It's also the day the Eagles will hold 6 p.m. auditions for drummers at the NovaCare Complex.

The initial plan is for a dozen or so paid drummers to perform in uniforms before games, perhaps moving to various locations outside Lincoln Financial Field, said Eagles spokeswoman Pamela Browner White.

"The purpose is to engage the fans and create excitement, kind of get the blood flowing," she said, noting that the Broncos, Bears and other teams have reported success with their drumlines.

Hopefuls - who must be at least 18 - are asked to go to http://bit.ly/bZUfnV, fill out the form there, download an audition kit, master some scores, and show up at the audition with drumsticks or mallets, rehearsal pads, a current headshot, a photo ID and the downloaded music.

Every year, a half-dozen to a dozen new faces join the Phillies ballgirl squad, which has 17 members this season, said Michele DeVicaris, the Phillies events coordinator who oversees the squad.

Because the women - a mix of students, teachers and other professionals - play charity softball games, they all have to be able to hit and throw well, not just field foul balls during games. They need to be well-spoken, too, because they'll represent the team at all sorts of community events.

That's why applicants, who must be at least 18, have to mail in not just a resume, but a DVD with video of the applicant demonstrating softball skills and discussing reasons for wanting to be a ballgirl.

The package gets addressed to: Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Write on envelope "Attn: Ballperson Applicant."

Last year, out of 500 prospects, 100 were invited for fielding, hitting, throwing and interviewing tests at Citizens Bank Park in early November.

Eleven joined the squad as rookies.

The part-time gigs pay $50 per game, $75 for special appearances, plus some travel expenses.

"It really is about being part of the team," DeVicaris said. ". . . A lot of them didn't know they got paid for it when they first got the job."

For more details, go to www.phillies.com and click on "job opportunities" near the bottom of the page, or try this link: http://bit.ly/bQQ3bi.