New York Mets baseball team holds six job fairs for 700 positions available in 2010 season

Farriella for News

Potential Employees line up outside of Citi Field for a job fair held by the New York Mets to fill more than 700 jobs for the 2010 season.

You know the economy is tough when even a Yankee fan applies for a job with the Mets.

Jose Batista, who lives in Queens but roots for the Bronx Bombers, was among scores of people who applied for cashier and traffic direction positions at Citi Field Friday.

"I just want a job," lamented the 19-year-old Corona man, who was laid off by FedEx. "I wish this was Yankee Stadium."

The Amazins' are holding six job fairs, including Friday's, for more than 700 seasonal positions.

The jobs pay $8 to $12 an hour for roughly six hours a game, with no benefits, for 81 home dates.

Of course, there's always the prospect of additional work if the Mets make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

A season with the Mets would be a labor of love for Emily December, an 18-year-old Queens College student who adores the team.

"I'm so excited," said the Woodhaven resident. "To help people and do it for the Mets would be an honor. I want it [job] as soon as possible to keep up the team's spirit."

Applicants were asked to look presentable, and most came in business attire. Team officials turned away a number of job-seekers wearing jeans and boots.

For the parking-lot jobs - which are unionized - the club said it's seeking candidates with "a great customer service attitude" who are "reliable and responsible and have excellent verbal communication skills."

Another job fair will be held today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and two more will be held Feb. 26 from 1 to 9 p.m. and Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The club also will hold auditions for the Pepsi Party Patrol and 2K Sports Fanfest staff on March 4 and March 5 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Citi Field.

Other positions can be viewed at w ww.mets.com/citifieldjobs.

omoritz@nydailynews.com