It's that time of year again—when reporters go through the paces at the try outs to be a U.S. Open ball boy or ball girl. Hundreds apply to have the chance to retrieve tennis balls in the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, but only a few reporters get to, um, show off.
CityRoom sent Matt Flegenheimer who explained, "Organizers said they expected about 350 applicants for the 80 available slots, with a median age of 16. Anyone 14 or older can sign up. The hourly wage is $7.75." He showed some promise (none of the balls he threw hit anyone), but was too hunched over during the ball collecting drill.
The Daily News' victim was crime reporter Kerry Burke:
I was fresh from a late-night arson in the Rockaways, pushing 50 and not exactly in shape - but, hey, an ink-stained wretch can dream, can't he?
Before hitting Arthur Ashe Stadium, I had done my usual training: climbing tenement stairs to victims' homes, carbo-loading on stakeout pizza and hydrating with post-crime scene tallboys.
He admits, "I threw fire. With no control whatsoever. More than once, U.S. Open staff had to duck for cover," prompting someone to tell him, "Watch out for the umpires. We haven't given them helmets yet." Aww.
Check out this gallery from the tryouts. The U.S. Open begins on August 29.
