Mariners ball girl tryouts bring local softball players to the mound

At Safeco Field on Thursday, 60 high school and college softball players tried out for the coveted position of Mariners ball girl. Twelve to fourteen girls will be selected for the season, to stand out on the foul line during home games, field stray balls and gift them to lucky kids in the stands.

“Essentially what we’re look for is someone who can safely field the ball, protect our fans from hard hit balls, as well as provide an exceptional experience for our guests,” said Michael Hilburn, manager of event operations for the Seattle Mariners. “They really are the ambassador to the field, to the players.”

Michael said they’ve been hiring ball girls since the Mariners played at the King Dome.

Steve Belling is manager of Mariners ticket operations, but today he is hitting balls for the girls to field. He said he’s the best hitter in the office.

“We go live with about ten to twelve [balls], as hard as I can hit them. We try and give them a real game experience. And then we have our panel of judges who will grade them on certain criteria.”

Steve said his fast balls can be pretty dangerous.

“We had one mishap last year. Last girl at the tryouts, a ball rolled up on her and split her lip open. She got stitches.”

Being a ball girl ain’t no joke! But these ladies are experienced ball players. Many of them have played since they were five years old. I caught Seattle University student and softball pitcher Alyssa Reuble just as she walked off the field from her tryout.

“It was good! Quite a bit of a workout, a little out of breath! But it’s always so much fun.”

Alyssa was a ball girl last year – they make you try out every year – and she said it doesn’t get any better for a Mariners fan.

“It’s so surreal. I’ve been going to Opening Day and games since I was so little, I can’t even remember when I haven’t been. Just to be able to be on the field and see everything and feel like you’re a part of it is the funnest, best thing ever.”

Seattle University shortstop and third basewoman, Maddy Kristjanson, was also a ball girl last year.

“It’s amazing. It’s probably one of the best jobs out there for a teenager. You get to come out during games, see all the fans, see the major league players, front row seat. I mean, you get the best seat in the house besides being on the actual field and playing, so it’s really cool.”

Some ball girls, like University of Washington’s pitcher and second basewoman, Dorothy Kong, have experienced a little brush with fame.

“I made it on to ESPN, I heard, because I made a catch over here. It was a line drive up here and I jumped and caught it and that was really awesome.”

She almost didn’t make it to tryouts after her dad tried to sabotage her chances.

“I actually practiced with my dad yesterday. I got nailed in the shin with a ball!”

Just kidding, he didn’t try and sabotage her. Why would he? Mariners-loving parents definitely benefit from their daughter’s summer job.

“They love coming to the games and seeing me here,” said Alyssa. “We get to come to the games on Father’s Day. I got to surprise my dad with tickets so he could come down and really enjoy it. It’s a great job.”