Want to be a ballgirl? Now is your chance!

Applications are due on Monday for the 15-20 ballgirl positions for next year. The Phillies seek athletic candidates over the age of 18 with outgoing personalities, good communications skills, softball experience and an understanding of the rules of baseball.

Collecting foul balls along the first- and third-base lines and retrieving jackets from the bullpen during pitching changes are only a small portion of the job. About 90 percent of the job, according to Michele DeVicaris, the manager of Phillies Community and Charity Events, is representing the organization in the community.

"We kind of describe them as our ambassadors to the community," said DeVicaris, who has overseen the Phillies ballgirl program since 2003.

The ballgirls make over 150 off-field appearances each year, are heavily involved the Phillies' "Red Goes Green" program, and also play in charity softball games, hence the need for applicants with a softball background. They also must be savvy with doing television and radio interviews.

Applications, which can be mailed to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, consist of a standard resume, as well as a two-minute DVD. "We ask them to demonstrate their softball skills as well as tell us why they think they would make a great Phillies ballgirl for the upcoming season," DeVicaris said.

Sixty to 100 applicants will receive an invitation-only in-person tryout in early November at the ballpark. At that point, DeVicaris said, candidates will be further assessed on their softball skills, their Phillies knowledge and participate in a mock on-camera interview.

About 20 potential ballgirls will make the next cut, consisting of a one-on-one interview. The final group is selected before Thanksgiving.