By Paulo Hernandez

Town Crier Editorial Intern

Ball Dudettes play important role on the sidelines

With the Giants in the World Series, it’s easy to overlook those on the sidelines shagging foul balls. But someone’s got to do it. That’s where the Ball Dudettes come in.

What is a Ball Dudette ? Ask Los Altos Hills resident Laura Dougherty Elliott, who has been a Ball Dudette for the last few years. They work at San Francisco Giants baseball games, where they play a very important role. They take their place along the first and third baselines and shag any foul balls that come their way. Without them, every foul ball could cause a delay in play.

Elliott, her mother Buol Dougherty and sister Sandy Dougherty Antony enjoy being Ball Dudettes. “We enjoy doing this with my mom, and we’re big-time Giants fans,” Elliott said.

The Ball Dudettes dress in full uniform when they head out to the field. It doesn’t get any better than that.

The Giants started the Ball Dudettes as a senior citizen program. Dougherty was one of the originals. She became a member of the program almost five years ago, when the Giants were still playing at Candlestick Park. In time, the program was opened up to daughters as well as mothers, and Elliott and Antony joined their mother on the field of play.

The three women don’t work games at the same time; they rotate the ball shagging duties.

For every series the Giants play, there is a new group in charge of shagging foul balls. Elliott, Antony and Dougherty have the opportunity to work about two or three series each season at Pacific Bell Park.

According to Elliott, there is currently a five-year waiting list for the program.

“We plan on doing this as long as we can,” Elliott said. “We always have a lot of fun.”

Elliott has numerous stories to share about the Giants’ players because she is around them so much. She said that she has talked with left fielder Barry Bonds on several occasions.

“He’s very nice,” Elliott said. She also noted that the Ball Dudettes are not allowed to initiate conversations with any of the players.

Elliott and Antony were born and raised in Los Altos. Both attended St. Nicholas School and St. Francis High School. Antony still lives in Los Altos, while Dougherty lives in Los Altos Hills. Elliott recently moved to San Jose with her husband, former Major League Baseball player Zach Elliott.

The Ball Dudettes are currently at the top of their game, and they plan on staying there.