Slick fielding Sam is the Champion of the (PhoulBallz) world!

Phillies Ball(z)girl Sam Arnone was kind enough to answer some questions for the PhoulBallz site and all of you. Sam will be entering her 3rd season as a Phillies ballgirl and is a junior at Drexel University. Sam hails from the great town of Mt. Ephram, NJ.

1- Since the Phillies are the World Champions of baseball teams, are the Phillies ballgirls the world champions of ballgirl teams?

- Of Course!!! There are not that many teams that have Ballgirls, so the competition is a little scarce. I would definitely put my team up against any other Ballgirl team with full confidence!

2- What is your routine to prepare for a day of on-field duties?

- Before a game, I am always a little nervous. Once I am ready to leave my house and head to the ballpark I triple check my bag to make sure I have my glove and then I check again. I always have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat because it keeps me full and gives me energy for the entire game. I guess I might have to find a new favorite sandwich because of the salmonella outbreak in peanut butter. I also try to stop drinking any liquids a couple hours before game time so I won’t have to use the bathroom while the game is in progress, but there are exceptions on hot days where you have to stay hydrated! When I finally get to the ballpark, I usually hangout in the offices and watch Rachel Ray with Michele (the ballgirls' boss) until it is time to go down on the field. Then I get my chair and head down to whichever baseline I am working that night. The nerves do not go away until the first pitch is thrown.

3- What is the best thing about being a Phillies ballgirl?

- The best thing about being a Phillies Ballgirl is that we have our own softball team. We play various teams around the tri-state area to raise money for Phillies Charities. All of the Ballgirls have played softball before, so the team allows us to stay competitive and keep playing the game we love. It also allows us to be role models to young girls in such a male-dominated sport. The biggest perk is being able to live out every baseball fan’s dream; to sit on a major league baseball field, watching your favorite team compete.

4- The ballgirls get involved with promoting recycling around Citizens Bank Park as well as the Phillies' charities fundraisers. What's your favorite community action you've been involved with, through the Phillies?

- My favorite community action is working the Phillies Phestival. Before I became a Ballgirl for the Phillies I knew about Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), but I was never aware of the diagnostics of those who have been affected. Working the Phestival for the past two years has allowed me to really learn about the disease and the effects it has on an individual’s life. I really enjoy helping the Phillies raise awareness and money to help discover a cure. This year the Phillies Phestival is on June 22. Fans can go to Phillies.com for more information.

5- What is your favorite feature of Citizens Bank Park? And/or favorite food at CBP?

- I like Ashburn Alley. When I come to a game as a fan and not a Ballgirl, I tend to migrate towards the Alley. I like to read the history on Memory lane and see the players that have been inducted onto the Phillies Wall of Fame. My favorite ballpark eat is also in the Alley! Crabfries are my favorite food at the ballpark!

6- Favorite baseball player growing up and favorite baseball player right now...?

- I had three favorite baseball players growing up.
1. I played shortstop when I was younger so I was a huge fan of Cal Ripken Jr.

2. Lenny Dykstra. I would always try to emulate how much chewing tobacco he had in his mouth with Big League Chew.

3. Ken Griffey Jr. I still love to watch him play and his swing will never get old to me.

7- The Phillies ballgirls have a blogger on the Phillies web site. A silly Mets fan recently told me that blogging is for losers. How do you feel about blogging?

- I think blogging is a great way to get your thoughts heard!!! I think that the silly Mets fan opinion shouldn’t count because he/she is a Mets fan. Enough said. (Ed. note- Take that, Kevin Williams!!)

8- The ballgirl job involves meeting the phans, at times. Do you have any noteworthy, entertaining or scary stories about interacting with the phans?

- There are many entertaining stories, but I do not think they are appropriate to write (Sorry). Dollar dog nights were always interesting because the Ballgirls are the ones that have to pick up the hot dogs. Mets games are always exciting to work because when our fans are mixed in with Mets fans there tends to be some entertainment. But for the most part the fans are a lot of fun to talk to during the games. We really do have the best fans in baseball.

9- Have any of the "riches" from our Phillies winning the World Series trickled down to the ballgirls?

- It really depends on how you measure “riches”. I look at it like I have been able to be a part of something special and have collected endless memories and stories. I think the best thing that any of us have received since we won was the opportunity to be a part of the parade. That day was the single best experience of my life. We have been in the Thanksgiving parade, we have been to the Sixers game, we have been able to see the trophy…the list goes on and on. So we definitely have been able to go to some cool events.

10- What is/are your favorite sports team(s) besides the Phillies?

- I love every team in Philadelphia. I grew up cheering for the Eagles, Flyers, and Sixers. I don’t think my family would approve if I rooted for anyone else!

11- Have you ever made "an error" on the field?

- Knock on wood… I have never made an error on the field. If I do this season it will be your fault for making me answer this question! Just kidding!

12- Before we let you go, tell us something about the ballgirl job that we don't know already...

- Each Ballgirl has a 2 year contract with the Phillies pending a physical. After each year we can go to arbitration if we’re not satisfied. Totally Just Kidding!!! I think that a lot of people don’t know what we do when we’re not on the field. If we are not on the field we are collecting recyclables during the games, playing our own softball games, or mingling with the fans on Rooftop Thursday’s. There are so many more things that we do other than work the lines of the field, and I hope fans are aware of that!