Though their other collegiate counterparts may fall victim to such catchy titles as the “Diamond Darlings” of Texas A&M, “Diamond Dolls” of Alabama or “cleat chasers,” a derogatory name for girls who hope to date athletes, the LSU Baseball Bat Girls insist their squad doesn’t surrender to the common stereotypes.

The 31 Bat Girls work a third of the games in the baseball season, rotating in groups of 10. They retrieve bats for both the home and guest teams, chase down foul balls, bring water to umpires, hype fans and sell programs.

Splitting into pairs, the girls change stations every three innings, working with a different partner every game.

Girls must arrive two hours before the first pitch, whether it’s raining, freezing or a perfectly pleasant day.

An average game begins full of excitement, as girls walk through the gates and get to work stuffing programs with stat sheets and organizing them for sale. They move weighty boxes, check inventory, catch up with one another and chat with event staff — many of whom they know on a personal level.

The Girls discuss summer plans, classes, boys and uniform care, many of them 
jotting down their game station schedules on their hand: “program room, right field, fan zone.”

The squad moves quickly with mechanical speed, preparing to take up first shifts of the night, selling programs throughout the stadium. Pairs drag large purple stands to each gate.

“You need a little bit of muscle,” one Girl mentions.

The older Girls take care of those fresh to the squad, yelping instructions and patiently answering questions with veteran wisdom.

Thirty minutes before the game begins, a frenzy rises as Girls return unsold material to the program room, roll the stands back, layer up for a cold night and count money from the sales. They take their second shifts just before the game begins.

From behind home plate on the first base side, Girls responsible for retrieving the players bats can see the anticipation on the catcher’s caged face, watch the players look toward coach Paul Mainieri for signals and hear the umpire’s calls first hand — and with clarity unfamiliar to those watching from the stands.

There’s a moment of stress after a play dies, when a Girl runs onto the field to grab a discarded bat. Is it the right time? Is the play really dead? Will players cross the path, possibly causing a collision?

Usually the action is straightforward: go get the bat. But the thrill is apparent each time a player leaves home plate.

Making Adjustments

Parts of the detailed system is new to the program, which began around 1984 and has seen a few other changes this season.

Erin St. Ledger, assistant director of marketing for athletics, is in charge of marketing for baseball, and this is her first year supervising the Bat Girl squad. In her new position, she has implemented 
“a lot of new rules and systems.”

The squad used to have captain and co-captain positions, but St. Ledger said the absence of those roles has cut down on competition between members and has brought the team closer together.

“At first it was a little hard, only be-
cause I know I look young, and I am pretty young, but I am still their supervisor,” she said. “It was a little hard for them to transition into the role of listening to me instead of one of their peers, but they’ve been great.”

With about 20 new members, some of the older, returning girls feel a sense of leadership, according to Yvonne Philipps, business marketing senior and veteran of the Bat Girls. But she emphasized the role model attitude comes with an understanding that everyone is equal.

Philipps said her love of athletics brought her to LSU, but she decided to give up playing sports to dedicate her time to being a student.

However, once introduced to the Bat Girl program her freshman year, Philipps said she sacrificed her dream of being in the stands for time on the field.

“I ended up spending my whole collegiate career on the field anyway and loving every minute of it.”

Philipps said she has “BGs 2010-13” engraved inside her class ring, and she can attest to the changes the program has seen since that first year.

“Every year there’s a different group of guys and a different atmosphere at the box,” she said. “It’s something you notice as a Bat Girl. You feel it, the vibe, the energy. The dynamics change.”

Dealing with Stereotypes

But one thing that doesn’t change much are the assumptions people make about Bat Girls.

“A lot of the times, people think we are cleat chasers or you just want to get with guys,” Philipps said. “In reality, all of us girls love baseball and love LSU.”

Rachel Rhodes, history junior and second year Bat Girl, said she has looked into the Bat Girl programs at several other universities and has found LSU’s squad to stand apart in its image and root in Southern tradition.

“Bat Girl programs at a lot of schools are different,” she said. “Often it’s assumed if you’re a Bat Girl you’re dating a player, but we avoid that at all costs.”

Rhodes explained that Bat Girls are not allowed to date players, and though people often assume the squad is full of “baseball groupies,” she stressed LSU’s Bat Girls are just female students who simply love baseball.

“We don’t want to have the image of lackeys or groupies, and a lot of us are good friends with the players,” Rhodes said. “During the game, they’re used to us. Sometimes the away players, especially from smaller schools, are curious about us. Stony Brook had no idea who we were or what we do.”

Taylor Raines, kinesiology sophomore, said she has noticed few stereotypes surrounding the squad. She said opposing teams have usually played LSU and are familiar with the presence of Bat Girls on the field.

“When you try out to be a Bat Girl, in the interview they are very clear that when you are a Bat Girl, you are not there to distract the baseball players,” Raines said. “You have to stay out of their way but also assist them.”

Clair Langlois, mass communication senior and first year Bat Girl, said she grew up watching the Atlanta Braves with her family every night over the summers, but some people don’t immediately appreciate her love of the game when they hear she’s a Bat Girl.

“Half my friends ask, ‘What player are you going to date?’” she said. “It’s frustrating because I absolutely love the sport of baseball. Yes, the players are good looking, but even if they weren’t, I’d still love the sport.”
 Abigail Woltering, anthropology and sociology junior said LSU’s Bat Girl program is nothing like what some would assume about the girls.

“It’s interesting, that’s so the opposite of what it is here,” she said. “Other teams might have Bat Girls looked at that way, but the players here they know [fraternization] is not an issue, and fans know better.”

Courtney McGuffee, mass communication sophomore, said she got into the program after growing up in a family dedicated to the sport. She said fans are friendly and can sometimes get flirtatious.

“People will hang around the program box sometimes or come to program stands and try to start conversations and absolutely I talk, but I keep it professional. You always have to keep a professional face on.”

St. Ledger said most people think of the Girls as an extension of the spirit squad, adding another special touch to the baseball environment.

Some of the Girls said they didn’t think college men would be interested in carrying out the duties the squad is responsible for, and men often have an easier time getting involved with the sport than women.

“Our main purpose is to enhance the overall Alex Box atmosphere,” Rhodes said. “It’s one of the top sports venues in the world. Bat Girls are part of that, adding a touch of flair.”

Making the Cut

The opportunity to add that flair is much sought after, as hundreds of girls apply for the chance to be a Bat Girl.

The application process takes place every year, and filling out a form can lead to an interview, where hopefuls are narrowed to 60 and then about 30.

Rhodes said she saw more advertising to prospective members this year than previously, with a broadcast email sent out and signs on campus television screens.

Rhodes marked on her application that she had good or expert knowledge of baseball, and her interviewers didn’t hesitate to test her.

“They’re not afraid to call you out on it,” Rhodes said. “On the other hand, they don’t want to tell people they can’t have this opportunity if baseball isn’t as big where they’re from.”

St. Ledger said the committee looks for girls who are involved but are able to make the program a top priority. Girls should have a general knowledge of baseball and athletics and should enjoy being at the games. But personality is key.

“They are interacting with fans on a daily basis, and we want to make sure they are reflecting the baseball program in good light,” St. Ledger said.