The Homerun Cafe is the concession stand for the Clarke Central High School baseball team. The Diamond Darlings work the concession stand during home JV and varsity baseball games so the parents can watch their sons play baseball. “It’s a way for people to get involved who enjoy baseball,” math department teacher and Diamond Darlings coordinator Alex Szatkowski said. Photo by Hannah Gale
By HANNAH GALE – Writing Coach
Sophomore Writing Coach Hannah Gale talks to math department teacher and Diamond Darlings coordinator Alex Szatkowski about the Diamond Darlings for the Clarke Central High School baseball program.
Hannah Gale: What are the Diamond Darlings?
Alex Szatkowski: Kind of in general, Diamond Darlings work baseball games and our main goal is to relieve parents from having to work the concession stand, and the score board so that they can watch their sons play baseball, and it’s also an opportunity for girls to just be social with one another. It’s pretty social, and (the girls) get into baseball games for free and sit in the warmest place there, so it’s kind of a win-win. The girls can have an opportunity to be involved in something, and the parents don’t have to do as much work.
HG: When was it started?
AS: Last year was the first year, and it was new and not many people knew about it and so we didn’t have that many, but this year we’ve definitely had a lot of interest which is great.
HG: Do other schools have programs like this?
AS: Yes, I don’t know exactly what other schools have. I know that at some baseball games that have been away, I’ve seen high school girls working the concession stand which I would assume then would be some sort of Diamond Darling program. And then obviously universities have the program. The University of Georgia has it, Auburn University, a lot of baseball programs at the university level have them.
HG: Who can join?
AS: Anybody.
HG: How does one join?
AS: I sent out an announcement back in January. Basically just an all call, anyone interested, I presented it like anyone interested helping out at baseball games email me. I had a form for them to fill out and then, we had our first meeting a couple of weeks ago. I’ve still had a couple of girls who’ve emailed me in the last couple of weeks asking to join and the more the merrier. The more people we have who are willing to help out and be involved, the better the program is.
HG: When do the Diamond Darlings help out?
AS: The Diamond Darlings only help out at JV and varsity home games.
HG: Has there been a good turn out so far?
AS: Yeah, we’ve had one home game and we were full, you know every one came and worked. We’ve had about twenty two girls show interest in the program and sign up. Our next home game is tonight (Feb. 22) but it may not happen because of the rain, but yeah I’ve had a really good turn out.
HG: What are the benefits of joining?
AS: So I know that some of our seniors are doing that for the community service hours. I think it’s a way for people to get involved who enjoy baseball. We’ve got a couple of softball players that know the game really well, and it’s fun to watch, so it’s kind of a way for them to be involved with the program without being in the program. Diamond Darlings is a part of the whole baseball program which is really cool, and it’s nice to be involved in something, so I think first and foremost that’s the biggest thing. You get to be involved, you get to come to the games for free and that can save you money. The concession stand and the scoreboard are heated and covered, so when it’s raining or it’s really cold outside that’s a really easy way to stay warm and stay dry. First and foremost I think it’s just a way for someone to get involved that doesn’t play a sport or do baseball.
