Ball girls play critical role as liaisons for Mariners club

Being ball girls put Shelby Yasuda and Taylor Greenfield in one of the best spots to watch the Mariners play. But it may be the fans the two will miss the most.

Yasuda, a senior at Central Washington University and a Woodinville native, enjoys seeing how electric the fans can be.

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“I love how much the fans get into it,” said the soon-to-be college grad. “That’s something I will remember.”

Tryouts for ball girls will be March 17-19, when more than 60 women will vie to work in Safeco Field. Ball girls field foul balls, interact with fans and assist with Mariners programs. Women ages 16 to 22 are selected.

The hiring process for ball girls includes application and tryouts. For Yasuda and Greenfield, two veteran employees, it is second-nature.

During tryouts, ball girl hopefuls must field ground balls while staff assess their performance. Staff is looking for athleticism and the ability to protect themselves and possibly fans.

“Maybe my first year was nerve-wracking, but I’ve been doing this a couple years in a row now,” said Yasuda.

Just because they have been ball girls for so long and have a stool to sit on, doesn’t mean Yasuda can completely relax. They must be willing to hop off the field in times they could interfere with the game.

“You have to be on your toes,” said Yasuda. “When those situations happen they happen so quickly.”

A background in softball helps with the physical requirements. Yasuda, for example, played club ball and is finishing up her last year with the Central Washington Wildcats.

Ball girls get opportunities to work off-field as well.
Greenfield, a 21-year-old junior attending Washington State University, worked a lot of non-game events, including silent auctions and weekend events. The work led Greenfield, who was attending school in Virginia, to switch majors and transfer schools. She is now working towards a career in communications and event hosting.

“The ball girl plays a special role with fans,” said the Bainbridge Island native. The position is a type of liaison to fans. “It really is the best job ever.”

Greenfield has been a ball girl since her senior year at Bainbridge High School. She would stay within the Mariners organization post-graduation if she had the choice.

Like Yasuda, Greenfield has enjoyed baseball since she was young. The opportunity to work with the Mariners is something she will always remember.

Yasuda said a few of her most memorable moments working at Safeco was the opening game of the 2014 season, after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl and the energy of the fans was still intense. She also worked the game after Felix Hernandez pitched a perfect game.

In the end, it’s all about the fans, however. That includes signing autographs and getting baseballs to eager fans. Of course, the view isn’t bad either.

“It’s the best seat in the house, definitely,” said Yasuda. “I know a lot of people who would like to trade me seats.”