Travel, Leisure & Fun for South Valley Adults
Travel, Leisure & Fun for South Valley Adults
2025 Belle of the Ballpark Carole Jepson with Tipper, the Visalia Rawhide's Mascot
In one of the closest Belle of the Ballpark competitions to date, Carole Jepson (second from right) narrowly came away with the victory. Robin Dougherty (right) came in second place, while Betty Brassfield (left) and Stefania "Ma" Ryan (second from the left) placed fourth and third place, respectively.
With its annual "Belle of the Ballpark" competition, the Rustlers Program renewed its most amusing annual tradition.
"Belle of the Ballpark" is a fan experience, a pageant-like celebration that encourages ladies ages 60 and over to show off their talents in front of the Rawhide crowd.
The ladies, or potential "Belles," are women from the Tulare and Kings County area, who participate in different activities showcasing their talents, much like a beauty pageant.
This year, those participants, who are nominated by local senior housing facilities, participated in "Cheek Pinching"; the "Strut Your Stuff" contest where participants paraded through the grandstands in front of fans dancing their way to Chuck Berry's "Rock And Roll Music"; and told "Yo Mama Jokes" written and carefully vetted by the Rawhide promo staff beforehand.
"It was the most fun I've had in a while", said the eventual 2025 Belle of the Ballpark, Carole Jepson. "It was fun to play all the games with all the other ladies."
Carole went up against tough competition in Stefania Ryan, Robin Daugherty and Betty Brassfield, but came out on top after a judges vote and a fan vote.
The judges included fans from different walks of life in the Central Valley including Visalia Rawhide President Sam Sigal, American Quality Life Hospice representatives, and even members of the KSEE24 News Team.
It was actually the fan vote, however, that gave the win to Carole, with the score coming down to a dead heat between her and Belle of the Ballpark runner-up Robin Daugherty.
At the end of the individual contests, which happened in between innings throughout the course of the baseball game, and the fan vote which finished in the 7th inning, the crowning ceremony took place on the field immediately following the conclusion of the baseball game.
After a brief closing ceremony to celebrate the ladies on their special night, Carole was officially crowned the 2025 Belle of the Ballpark by the 2024 Belle of the Ballpark, Janice McCombs.
"I'm happy that she can take on the mantle and I hope she does it justice!" exclaimed McCombs after the crowning ceremony.
As Belle of Valley Strong Ballpark, Carole will receive free tickets for the rest of the 2025 season.
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