Ball State University Athletics
Sandra's Summer At The Ballpark
September 04, 2019 | Gymnastics
Sandra Elsadek had never pulled a baseball tarp before. She'd never picked up fireworks by hand in the dark before either.Â
But that's life in professional baseball.
A sophomore from Venice, Florida, Elsadek came to Ball State last fall and competed in all 12 meets and earned WGCA Scholastic All-American honors. In just a few hours after wrapping up her freshman season, she found herself on the mic for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the Single-A pro baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.Â
"I started the day after I got the job. They asked if I could start tomorrow," Elsadek said. "I came in the next day."
Elsadek, who was third on the team last year in total points, served as the team's on-field host for the Stone Crabs among all the other jobs that come along with minor league baseball. She greeted fans at the ballpark entrance and recruited contestants for in-game promotions. And of course, everyone has to pull the tarp.
"It was nice to get my feet wet and learn a lot," Elsadek said. "Sometimes I didn't leave until 12 or 12:30 at night and it was a 45-minute drive home. And kudos to people who work on their feet all day. It's definitely not easy. But it put me in the right direction for what I want to do."
After a couple days with the team, Elsadek started getting compliments from fans who thought she was experienced in the role. John Vittas, Director of Media Relations for the Stone Crabs, said Elsadek was consistent and enthusiastic and has an "undeniable" talent.
"Sandra left an indelible mark on our fan base as the on-field emcee this summer,"Â Vittas said. "Her constant positive energy was infectious and appreciated by our entire front office staff as well as the Stone Crabs fans that cheered our team on to a record-breaking season. We look forward to watching her continue to excel at Ball State."
In baseball, gymnastics or any sport, everything doesn't always go smoothly. Fans being recruited to be on camera might say no, in what was a life lesson in perseverance for Elsadek. Finding the right contestant who was willing to 'Name That Tune' provided a challenge, even if they won a prize no matter what.
"You kinda had to figure out how to bounce back," she said. "There are some games that aren't fit for younger kids. You win a prize, it's super easy. But they'd say no. I just kept trying and found people where I thought I had a better chance. It took some time but I started to figure it out."
Heading into her sophomore season at Ball State, she not only has more gymnastics experience under her belt, but some work experience and a new appreciation for how to attack the next couple years of college.Â
"Everything I've learned in Ball State gymnastics helped me learn how to put it all together. Holding yourself accountable, being on time and time management for sure. Being a college gymnast helped me perform at my best in this internship. Being a student-athlete in general helps you be a well-rounded person and ready for the real world."
Â
But that's life in professional baseball.
A sophomore from Venice, Florida, Elsadek came to Ball State last fall and competed in all 12 meets and earned WGCA Scholastic All-American honors. In just a few hours after wrapping up her freshman season, she found herself on the mic for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the Single-A pro baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.Â
"I started the day after I got the job. They asked if I could start tomorrow," Elsadek said. "I came in the next day."
Elsadek, who was third on the team last year in total points, served as the team's on-field host for the Stone Crabs among all the other jobs that come along with minor league baseball. She greeted fans at the ballpark entrance and recruited contestants for in-game promotions. And of course, everyone has to pull the tarp.
"It was nice to get my feet wet and learn a lot," Elsadek said. "Sometimes I didn't leave until 12 or 12:30 at night and it was a 45-minute drive home. And kudos to people who work on their feet all day. It's definitely not easy. But it put me in the right direction for what I want to do."
After a couple days with the team, Elsadek started getting compliments from fans who thought she was experienced in the role. John Vittas, Director of Media Relations for the Stone Crabs, said Elsadek was consistent and enthusiastic and has an "undeniable" talent.
"Sandra left an indelible mark on our fan base as the on-field emcee this summer,"Â Vittas said. "Her constant positive energy was infectious and appreciated by our entire front office staff as well as the Stone Crabs fans that cheered our team on to a record-breaking season. We look forward to watching her continue to excel at Ball State."
In baseball, gymnastics or any sport, everything doesn't always go smoothly. Fans being recruited to be on camera might say no, in what was a life lesson in perseverance for Elsadek. Finding the right contestant who was willing to 'Name That Tune' provided a challenge, even if they won a prize no matter what.
"You kinda had to figure out how to bounce back," she said. "There are some games that aren't fit for younger kids. You win a prize, it's super easy. But they'd say no. I just kept trying and found people where I thought I had a better chance. It took some time but I started to figure it out."
Heading into her sophomore season at Ball State, she not only has more gymnastics experience under her belt, but some work experience and a new appreciation for how to attack the next couple years of college.Â
"Everything I've learned in Ball State gymnastics helped me learn how to put it all together. Holding yourself accountable, being on time and time management for sure. Being a college gymnast helped me perform at my best in this internship. Being a student-athlete in general helps you be a well-rounded person and ready for the real world."
Â
Players Mentioned
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