Hundreds hope to earn free pass to U.S. Open

Sam Teichman had been coming to the U.S. Open for years. But never had he trekked to the National Tennis Center in early July for the ballperson tryouts. Year after year he yearned to try his hand at winning free entry to the Grand Slam tournament; however, his work as a vendor at Yankee and Shea Stadium always precluded the Queens College graduate.
Not this summer, he told himself. Teichman made sure to have Thursday, June 29th off. &#8220I'm a huge sports fan,” he said. &#8220I finally had the flexibility to try out.”
Over 400 hopefuls just like Teichman showed up at the USTA National Tennis Center, looking to earn their way into the country's most exciting and prestigious tennis event. There were no guarantees, just a hope they would receive a letter asking them to return for further auditions.
&#8220It would be one of those unique experiences you can't buy or find,” said Teichman, 26, a Kew Gardens resident. &#8220I'd feel real lucky and excited. I'd brag to all my friends. I'd really treasure it. Even if they didn't pay me, it wouldn't matter; it's the experience.”
&#8220It would be amazing just to see professional players,” added Nikki Gloria, 13, of Queens Village.
Accomplishing that feat is no easy task. Only 150 of the 400 or so participants are brought back, with 70 becoming ballpersons, earning slightly less than $10 an hour for the greatest two-week job in Flushing.
They tryout at the net, where they retrieve balls hit into the net and must accurately throw them to the baseline on one bounce. Others tried their luck from the baseline. There, their arm strength is tested, as they throw from one end of the court to the other. All in all, those chosen tend to be quick, athletic and smooth, with strong, accurate throwing arms and sure hands.
&#8220We're looking for some great athletes,” said Tina Tapps, in her 17th year as the director of ballpersons. &#8220We're supposed to be unnoticed. We don't want a lot of leg movements, arm movements, head movements. I'm watching some that are debatable and some that are effortless.”
Integral aspects of ballpersons are knowing the game; although that isn't a prerequisite, it can give one applicant an edge over another.
As professional umpire Eric Richburg, on hand to watch his daughter try out, said of the ballpersons, &#8220they're a very important part of the court. Without the ballpeople, we wouldn't have the same flow. They have to have good coordination, [be] very fast, not be afraid of the players, or intimidated by the crowd.”