PITTSBURGH — A hard-hit baseball off the bat of a major leaguer is headed in her direction.

Sam Volponi has a decision to make.

Go for it — or let it go.

“It’s split-second,” the Slippery Rock High School graduate and Mars resident said. “Sometimes you botch it up or just plain miss it ... That’s what the blooper reels are for.

“You shrug it off. You have to be able to laugh at yourself.”

Such is life for the ballgirls seated down the right and left field lines for Pittsburgh Pirate home games at PNC Park. Volponi is one of 14 such individuals employed by the Pirates.

She has been since 2010, the year the Pirates instituted the ballgirl program.

“Sam is one of only four girls still doing this since we started,” said Dan Millar, manager of promotions for the Pirates. “During the interview process, we look for athleticism, knowledge of the game, personality and dependability.

“She has all of those things. That’s why she’s been so successful with this.”

Volponi graduated from Slippery Rock in 2008. She was a standout infielder on the Rockets’ softball team and hit nearly .500 there. She put together a solid softball career at Waynesburg University as well, majoring in exercise science and graduating in 2012.

She returned to Waynesburg to get her masters in health systems administration and will soon begin fulltime work with Allegheny Health Systems.

“I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been able to be a ballgirl for the Pirates all this time,” Volponi said. “My new job will only be a couple of blocks from here, so I’ll be able to keep on doing it.

“I love it. This is like a second home to me. I always tease that I’m going to bring a bed in and sleep here.”

Volponi’s responsibilities as a ballgirl extend far beyond fielding foul balls and giving them to fans in the stands. She admits her veteran status has turned her into “a mother hen” in her relationship with some of the other ballgirls.

“We all know each other and we’re all close,” she said. “Some of the younger girls will ask me for advice on how to handle some situations. Every day is a new memory here.

“One girl was going to medical school and was torn about giving up the (ballgirl) job here. I told her she had to look at the big picture and the chance to better herself. She’s going through medical school now and that’s a great accomplishment.

“Another girl, Olivia, made a great catch on a ball in a game I saw. I texted her and congratulated her,” Volponi added.

Volponi never had aspirations of being a ballgirl. While at Waynesburg, her coach received applications from the Pirates when the ballgirl program was being put in place.

Every collegiate softball team in the area received the applications.

“I filled one out, but I never thought I’d even get an interview,” Volponi admitted. “I figured there would be countless girls going after this.

“I was shocked when they called me — more shocked when they hired me. But I’m so glad they did.”

Millar said the hirings are not taken lightly.

“We do thorough background checks,” he said. “These girls also help us out with community events. They are representing the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are part of our family.”

All 14 ballgirls this season have played or are currently playing college softball for schools including Point Park, Chatham, Penn State-Beaver and Geneva, among others.

“I played against some of the girls I’m working with now,” Volponi said.

Community events she’s taken part in include RBI Clinics, PirateFest, Kids Sundays at PNC Park and Miracle League clinics.

“You just see kids’ faces brighten at those events. It’s one of my favorite parts of this job,” Volponi said. “Before every game I’m working, I look around the stands to see where the kids are.

“Give a kid a foul ball and he lights up. It’s such a privilege to be part of that.”

Volponi said some fans in the stands memorize all of the ballgirls’ first names. When someone sees her and says hello “by calling me by my name, it means everything to me.”

So does one particular usher who works a section near third base.

“His name is Phil Coyne and he’s 98 years old,” Volponi said. “He works the section right behind the tarp. He is the best usher ... I ask him what’s the secret to life and he says he has an Oreo and glass of milk every day. I love talking to him.”

Three ballgirls are used for every Pirate home game — one at third base, first base and working the home run count board down the right field line. Volponi works roughly 20 games a season and attends another 20 to 30 as a fan.

She began as a ballgirl when the Pirates were in the midst of their 20-year losing streak. She’s since gotten to work some playoff games at PNC Park.

“The difference inside this park was incredible. The atmosphere was electric,” she said.

Over the years, Volponi has collected a number of Pirate jerseys, pants and shoes through working for the team. She also has nearly 30 t-shirts from the team’s “Free Shirt Friday” promotion.

“I want to make a quilt out of them someday. That would be a great keepsake,” she said.

“I want to keep doing this as long as I can, but I don’t want to be selfish about it, either. I don’t want to deny another girl the chance to make the same great memories I’ve made.”