Want to be a ball kid? Apply here.

Want to be a ball kid at the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament in March? Young Saint Louis.com is giving you a chance.

Conference officials have reserved two ball kid spots in the tournament for readers of YSL.com. You apply by filling out the attached registration form and mailing it by Jan. 31, 2002.

All completed applications will be put into a hat and two winners will be drawn. We'll also pick two alternates. The winners and the alternates will be notified by phone. The tournament managers will give advance training before you go on the floor.

Usually four kids work each tournament game, two on each end of the court. They are important because they keep the floor clean so players don't slip and hurt themselves. Also, the kids wipe down the whole floor at half-time of each game.

The Missouri Valley Conference uses both boys and girls as tournament ball kids.

Kids who work as ball kids get some "perks" from the conference. Of course, there's free admission to games along with a MVC T-shirt. Also, kids get free snacks and soft drinks. There's also the opportunity to mix with the players and coaches of the tournament teams.

To apply for one of the YSL.com ball kid spots, you need to be between 10 and 13 years of age and agree to work an entire shift. That might involved two games, depending on the day's game schedule.

The MVC men's basketball tournament will be March 1-4 at the Savvis Center in downtown St. Louis. The winner of the 10-team tournament gets an automatic bid to the NCAA's national tournament.

The schedule calls for two games on Thursday, March 1; four on Saturday, March 2; two on Sunday, March 3. The tournament's final game is Monday, March 4.

Here's how to enter in the MVC ball kid drawing:

1. Print out the following entry form.
2. Fill in your name, address and telephone number.
3. Have a parent/guardian sign the registration, giving permission for you to do the games.
4. Mail your entry to:
   
   MVC Ball Kids
   Young Saint Louis.com
   7733 Forsythe Blvd., Suite 350
   Clayton, MO 63105
   
   
5. Only registrations postmarked by Jan. 31, 2002, will be included in the drawing.

 

----------Clip here and mail----------

 

YSL.com Entry for MVC Ball Kids Drawing

______ Yes, I would like to be a ball kid for the 2002 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament at the Savvis Center, March 1-4.

 

Name: ____________________________ Age: _________

Address: ________________________________________

City: ___________________, State: ______, ZIP: ________

 

Contact phone no: (____) ___________________

 

* I, _____________________________, as parent/guardian

for _____________________________ give my permission for him/her to work as a MVC ball kids during the March 1-4 meet.