Between classes, babysitting, and serving as president of a new club on campus called El Sueño Español, Cabrini student Jessica Hayes (’19) also spends her time at Citizens Bank Park, serving as a Philadelphia Phillies Ballgirl for the 2018 season.
“I have wanted to be a Ballgirl since I was a little girl,” Hayes said. “I played softball for 12 years from the age of 6 to 18, but decided to stop in college to focus on my academics. Still, I knew I wanted to try out to be a Ballgirl at some point in my college career.”
The Pennsauken, NJ, native works as many home games as she can, in addition to events in the community hosted by the Phillies Organization, playing an integral role on and off the field.
“Ballgirls are a huge part of the Phillies Organization and represent the Phillies in numerous ways,” Hayes said. “On the field, we pick up foul balls, talk to all the fans, and sign Ballgirl cards and apparel. In the stadium, we walk around collecting recycling as a part of the Red Goes Green Team. Off the field, we give back and do a lot of community and charity work, including at hospitals and schools, which is amazing.”
At Cabrini Night at the Phillies on Friday, Sept. 14, Hayes served in her official Ballgirl role at the third baseline on the field. Cabrini students, families, and friends in the stands cheered when Hayes was announced on the big screen prior to the game.
“I have loved every moment of being a Phillies Ballgirl,” she said. “My favorite part of this job is interacting with all the different fans. Phillies fans are the absolute best.”
As the Early Childhood Education major prepares to graduate with her bachelor’s in May (in addition to continuing with the master’s in education program at Cabrini), Hayes reflected on her Cabrini and Phillies Ballgirl experiences.
“My Cabrini experience has allowed me to open new doors for myself that I would not have deemed possible a couple years ago,” she said. “I have been able to branch out and become someone I have always aspired to be.
“Although I have always had great people skills, I believe my Phillies Ballgirl experience has allowed me to improve upon those skills even more, which will be especially beneficial in my career as an educator.”