A Sit-Down with a Jays Dance Team Member

Seventh-Inning-Stretch Video for 2009.

Recently, I interviewed one of the Jays Dance Team Members. Katy sat down on a chair, and I sat down on a chair at various times and intriguingly, it all transpired!

For contractual and privacy reasons we will not be releasing last names or pictures to protect her well-being and identity as a member of the Jays Dance Team. And yes, they have contracts, just like the players! But I can guarantee you the authenticity of this interview! And this may be occurring on a reoccurring basis!

But hey, if you want her autograph, I don't see why not, just don't be cheap- supply the baseball and the pen!

INTERVIEWER: DAN THE MAN

SUBJECT: KATY, the life and soul of the Jays Dance Team.

Dan The Man: How long have you been dancing with the team?

Katy: This is my first year. I'm a rookie!
And we're not hazing? Okay, I guess we can call her "The Rookie"

Dan The Man: Who's your favourite current Blue Jay?

Katy The Rookie: Aaron Hill. He is the next Alomar. Although Scutaro does play a mean air guitar, and Barajas is a base running god...

Roberto Alomar was said to be the best baseball player Jerry Howarth and Alan Ashby ever saw.

Dan The Man: Who's your favourite Blue Jay of all time?

Katy: Joe Carter. I used to refuse to talk to anyone unless they called me Joe as a kid. He was kind of a big deal.

Alright, we'll start calling you Joe.

Dan The Man: When you play baseball, what position do you play?

Katy or Joe: DH. Obviously. I hit for power. Haha.

Left field line shots.

Dan The Man: It's Skydome's 20th Anniversary, what's your favourite Rogers Centre/Skydome moment you've ever witnessed?

Katy: Probably Doc versus AJ earlier this year. The atmosphere in the Dome was ridiculous. I’m so glad I got to work that day.

Amazing game. And the fans just stuffed it to Burnett.

Dan The Man: What's the craziest thing you've seen a fan do while performing the seventh-inning stretch?

Katy: I've had people in the front row tape me doing the entire routine. From five-feet away. Not creepy at all...Also, a fan dropped into the Jays bullpen from the outfield seats...although I think he was trying to get to the players, not us. It did not end well for him.

It's interesting what Anonymity does to people. They'd tell a baseball player they were a bum, and drop in on them, but they wouldn't call their mother a bum.

Dan The Man: I've seen you give away prizes to fans on the jumbotron. What's the best prize you've given away?

Katy: The best prize was probably a trip to Cuba during the Home Opener. But the seat upgrade isn't bad either!

Dan The Man: And the most elated reaction from a fan?

Katy: We gave away a bucket of chicken wings to these guys who texted to win. We told them to do something so they’re not just standing there on the big screen. As soon as they see themselves they dive into the bucket and start smearing the sauce all over each other, it was hilarious.

Dan The Man: Now for the question everyone wants to ask: Are the Jays going to make the playoffs!!!??

Katy: I’d say they have a shot at the Wild Card. Past that, who knows. A lot depends on whether Marcum and McGowan make it back this year at all or if we have a 4-rookie starting rotation all season. Pitching = depth and depth = playoffs. Therefore, pitching = playoffs!!!

Dan The Man: Just how fake is the playing surface at the Dome to play on?

Let’s just put it this way, you would get some serious carpet burn if you laid out for a catch. And it’s really easy to trip over (I may or may not be speaking from experience).

Dan The Man: Have you met any Blue Jays players and/or famous people as an added perk to your awesome job?

Katy: We see the players around quite often, but it’s in our contract not to speak with them at work, unless they talk to us first. Although I did trip and fall in the dugout when the Yankees were here, and Jeter definitely pointed and laughed. Sweet first impression.

No wonder everyone boos Derek Jeter. What a media-savvy tool.

Dan The Man: When they put you on the jumbotron, have you ever taken a peek to see how you look on the massive screen?

Katy: It’s hard not to! Especially if you’re not sure what camera is making the shot, so you don’t know where else to look!

I can't watch myself on video. I used to be a stand-up comedian and to this day I've never watched any of the videos.

Dan The Man: Is there anything else you must tell us?

Katy: Ummm I have the best job in the entire world? I get paid to be around baseball, pretty much every day.

Nice!

Dan The Man: Finally, for your sense of ADVENTURE, Would you parachute onto the field for the seventh inning stretch? Or land in a hot-air balloon on the field?

Katy: It could happen. Just saying. Maybe it’s already in the works!

I want to see that happen.