Senior ballplayers show off skills to become Giants ball dude or dudette

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- AT&T Park turned into a field of dreams for some very experienced ballplayers Wednesday.

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Dozens of hopefuls showed off their stuff with the goal of becoming a ball dude or ball dudette.

Many are in their 50s and 60s. Some are even in their 70s.

The tryouts are sponsored by the Junior Giants organization. Winners get to field foul balls to be handed out to kids at a game during the season. For many it's the chance to smell the grass and chase a big-league dream.

"This is a lifelong dream, this is my first time doing this," said Junior Giants hopeful Kathy Schwamb. "My dad was 94, and a lifelong Giants fan. And we used to come to the games. We lived about four hours away."

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"The sunshine's obviously great, but being able to be down here on the grass, feel the dirt -- it's just when you've got baseball in your blood it's just wonderful," said another contender Glenn Farrell.

"It's great being on the field, and it's on my bucket list and my wife got it for my birthday, and I'm just having a ball here -- it's fun," said Marty Close, who also tried out.

The camp and tryout lasted for several hours. When the umpire called the event over, Bob Hammer and Lynn Tetlow were announced as the winners. They'll be shagging fouls at a future game.

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