Phillies announce new ballgirls

One Phillies roster is ready for next season.

Today, the team announced the 19 women who'll be fetching fouls and making charity appearances as Phillies ballgirls.

Out of more than 1,600 applicants - including one gentleman in his 70s - only nine survived all three cutdowns in a lengthy selection process.

Only 120 of the wannabes were invited to tryout sessions at the Citizens Bank Squad by squad supervisor Michele DeVicaris.

The hopefuls had to demonstrate they could not only field but hit - charity softball games are part of the job - and do well in on-camera interviews and on a written test.

Twenty-five were asked to come back last week for one-on-one interviews with DeVicaris, who made her the final choices Monday morning.

Unlike in years past, no one screamed upon being phoned with the good news, DeVicaris said.

"They were all kind of more in shock and couldn't believe it," she said. Many were silence, they asked, "Are you serious?" she said.

All of the newcomers are good athletes who played softball and they're all local Phillies fans.

Not one mentioned any beauty pageant experience, though other applicants did.

"A lot of them think it is a beauty competition and it really is not," DeVicaris said.

Being a ballgirl is a part-time job, and every squad member has a career or is studying for one.

The rookies include an engineer, a statistical options trader, a project analyst, a law student, another grad student, and a couple of teachers.

The 10 vets - all but two back for just their second season - include a radio personality, another engineer, a physical therapy student and more teachers.

As far as DeVicaris knows, all but two members of the new squad are single. Janita Styles, who works for 100.3-FM "The Beat," is a married mom, and fellow returnee Debbie Fischer, a recruiter for Wells Fargo, is married, DeVicaris said.

The oldest is in her mid 20s, while the youngest might be Gina Papili, 19, a University of Delaware junior who was also on the squad last year.

Usually, two years is the term limit, but Fischer and physical therapy student Samantha Arnone were invited back for a third year.

"With the program expanding so much I really think it needs veteran leadership," DeVicaris said.

No new types of roles or projects (such as a swimsuit calendar) are expected this season - except for likely appearances with the World Series trophy.

The new squad will get together for the first time next month, mostly to hand out uniforms and take care of routine business.

The ballgirls don't go to spring training games, but they will be busy at events this winter in the Philadelphia area, DeVicaris said.

THE NEWEST BALLGIRLS

Kelli Curcio, Hatboro, senior at LaSalle University majoring in nursing. LaSalle softball team: A-10 rookie team, all-conference team honors.

Fehran Frank, Jenkintown, Penn State grad who majored in labor and industrial relations, now project analyst for Capmark Finance in Horsham.

Perrin Moses, Wyndmoor, Ursinus grad who majored in business and economics. Now does statistical options trading for Susquehanna International Group, Bala Cynwyd. 2008 MVP of Ursinus' women's cross-country team.

McKenzie Myers, Bryn Mawr, Villanova grad who majored in civil and environmental engineering. Now a design engineer at Hunt Engineering Co., Philadelphia.

Amanda Oyler, West Chester, seeking her master's in sports administration at West Chester University, recreation degree from Indiana University. Four-year starter in field hockey for Indiana University.

Lindsay Shaw, Wayne, Duke University grad, attends Villanova School of Law. Member of Duke's national championship field hockey team.

Danielle Signorelli, North Wales, senior accounting major and softball player at LaSalle.

Jordan Teuber, Philadelphia, majored in education at St. Joseph's University. Fifth-grade teacher, Antonia Pantoja Charter School, Philadelphia. As a senior, she was captain of Division I track team; set sprint and relay records.

Katie Thompson, Exton, West Chester University grad, early childhood education major, elementary school teacher at Tredyffrin/Easttown School District in Berwyn.

THE RETURNING BALLGIRLS

Sam Arnone, Mount Ephraim, senior majoring in sports medicine at Drexel University. Made all-conference softball team at Audubon High.

Alison Augustyn, Delran, Drexel University grad; majored in environmental engineering. Division I swimmer. Engineer at Environmental Resolutions, Inc., in Mount Laurel.

Irena Burgos, Mays Landing, N.J., LaSalle grad, master's degree in communications. Played on Rider University softball team that won 2003 conference championship. Now a partner in a regional publication company.

Lauren Economou, Media, Syracuse University grad, master's degree from University of the Arts. Art teacher.

Debbie Fischer, Ridley Park, Widener University grad. Recruiter for Wells Fargo. Captain of Widener softball team junior and senior years.

Katie Haughey, Medford, Rowan University grad. Health and physical education teacher in Mount Laurel.

Laura Litzenberger, Kintnersville, Pa., Kutztown University grad. Teacher in Kintnersville. As a youngster, three-time winner of Phillies Home Run Derby (1995, 1996, 1998)

Christy Oakes, Haddonfield, University of Pennsylvania grad, has master's in education, teaches elementary school in Evesham Township. Was captain of Haddonfield Memorial High School softball team.

Gina Papili, Wilmington, junior at University of Delaware. Played varsity softball at St. Mark's High School in Wilmington.

Janita Styles, lives in Philadelphia but grew up in Portland, Ore. University of Nevada grad. Division I track scholarship. Part-time radio host for 100.3-FM "The Beat."