Interview: Pad Squad Elizabeth

If you've attended a Padres game anytime in the past two years, you'll recognize Pad Squad Elizabeth.  She's the one who's always smiling.  We met her briefly last season and then again at the Padres Awards dinner earlier in the year.  We found her to be a delight!

Let's get to know her a bit better with a good old fashioned Pad Squad Interview, shall we?

Gaslamp Ball:  Let’s get the basics out of the way with some rapid fire questions.  How long have you been squaddin’?  What brought you to the Pad Squad? What’s your Pad Squad nickname?  Is it Pad Squad Lizard? Is there a story behind your number?  Do the new Pad Squad uniforms even have numbers anymore?  I can’t remember.

Pad Squad Elizabeth:  This is my sophomore season on the Pad Squad. I grew up in a baseball-loving family rooting for the Yankees and Angels. When I went to college in San Diego (go Aztecs!) I fell in love with the city and the Padres. When I got the call that I made the squad I was beyond excited. I am so thankful to have this opportunity.

As far as my Pad Squad nickname... just Elizabeth, Liz, Lizzie, Dimples? And I would definitely be my favorite number 27 if we still had those uniforms.

They say you always remember your first time.  What was your first game like as a member of the Pad Squad?

It was incredible. Opening Day last year happened to fall on my birthday. My family and friends came to the game and cheered for me. My very first assignment on the Pad Squad was to help carry a cage full of doves to centerfield to be released during the National Anthem. The birds pecking at my fingers was scary enough, not to mention in front of a crowd of 43,000. I got over the nerves right away and had the best time. It was a record breaking game too, we won 17–2, 10 of those runs in one inning.

If you had to spend the night alone in the ballpark, what would you do once everybody left? Where would you sleep?   Which place would you stay away from because it’s so scary?

Great Question! I would really want to invite all my friends. But if it was just me, I'd probably lay in centerfield and watch The Sandlot on the big screen and then watch my own firework show while blasting "America The Beautiful" by Ray Charles. I'd sleep in a luxury suite in the Western Metal building  and stay away from the the visiting locker room.

If you could go back in time and sit in the stands for any Padres game in history with any 3 Padres players living or dead, and eat any ballpark food...which game, Padres and food would you choose?

We're celebrating the 75th anniversary of Padres baseball this year so maybe an exciting game in the late 1930s. I guess I'm a sports history dork but I think it would be awesome to go back and experience that atmosphere. I would sit with Bud Black, Randy Jones, and Ted Williams. We'd all eat hot dogs and have great conversation obviously.

Have you had an MVP moment on the Pad Squad?

I was roaming around the upper deck before a game last season and started talking to a woman covered in Padres pins who was with her 2 grandsons. It was their first major league game. We talked for awhile and she explained that her husband had passed away recently and instead of mourning she thought about how he would want her to spend her time. Soon after she became a season ticket holder and now comes to at least one game per homestand. She had so many nice things to say about the Padres organization, how everyone here treats her like family. She said it doesn't matter if the team wins or loses, she always has a good time. Later I found out I could choose a family to upgrade their seats. I was so excited to tell her and she was THRILLED to say the least and gave me the biggest hug and kiss on the cheek. On the way to their new seats the 6 year old grandson turned to me and said, "You won't find a bigger Padres fan than my grandma, isn't she cool!"

I am so proud to represent the Padres organization because of fans and experiences like this.


What’s been your most embarrassing moment on the Pad Squad?

It's hard to think of one that really stands out. We all have had so many. Maybe falling or attempting to leave the Pad Squad room sporting an upside down "SD" tattoo? Recently, on the concourse trying to catch a foul ball which resulted in me breaking my camera.

If the unthinkable happened and Heath Bell was traded and the Padres were forced to make you their new closer, what would be your entrance music as you ran out of the bullpen?

I REALLY hope this doesn't happen (though I have had fans tell me I have a good arm after slingshots!) but I'd say "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles. Not very intimidating, I know, but very me.


When you do the Jack in the Box taco giveaway, do you know which prize you have in your orange traffic cone?  If you do, do you have a tell?  Do you blink a lot when you have the rubber chicken?

Sometimes, but I prefer not to look before. It's more fun to open a winning hat when we are all surprised! I don't have any kind of signal. Next time I know I have the winning hat I'll wink at the camera for you. ; )

What would you like to say to all the loyal Padres fans out there?

Thank for for being the spirited, friendly fans you are! We all appreciate your continued loyalty and value your opinion. If we haven't met already, please say hi and introduce yourself to the Pad Squad! We love seeing you at the ballpark.

Don't stop believing SD!

xoxo
Pad Squad Elizabeth

 

Great interview, thanks Elizabeth! High fives all around!