The Few, The Proud, The Phillies Ball Girls

After a grueling tryout process, which included a written test, the Phillies have whittled down more than a thousand applicants to select their 2009 ball girls. Oh happy day!

Yes, a written test. That wasn't the most intriguing aspect of the selection process, however.

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

Well, at least Pat Summitt didn't show up.

No 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.

After perusing these photos, I'm going to have to take issue with that.

Phillies Announce New Ballgirls [Philadelphia Inquirer]