Getting balls at games

[nymdan]

What's everybody's experience getting balls at games? Have you caught foul balls or gotten balls during batting practice? What's the best place to get balls during BP?

In all the times I've been to Shea, I've never gotten a ball, but I've gotten two at other parks.

When the Mets played at Fenway last year, I was standing near the visitors' bullpen during BP, and I saw that Guy Conte (Mets bullpen coach) had a ball in his pocket. I asked if he had any extra balls, and he gave me that one. I later had Tom Glavine (ugh...) sign it.

Also last year I went to a game at Chase Field, when the Diamondbacks were playing the Padres. I was watching BP from the first row of the left field stands. Jake Peavy was throwing a ball around in the area, and a ball landed near the fence. I asked him for it. He turned around, and asked which person said please. It was me, so I told him, and he gave me the ball.

In my experience, it's a lot easier to get balls during BP if you're in fair territory, since you're right near the pitchers shagging fly balls, which is why I had luck in Boston and Arizona but not at Shea.

[jimmyjimjimz]

The first time I went to Monument Park, a Yankees pitcher (I think it was Neil Allen) gave me a ball. Later on, during that game, I got hit in the head with a ball, and the guy in front of me wouldnt give the ball to me. He just took it and left.

[Gary Dunaier]

Shea Stadium, April 24, 2007, Mets v. Rockies: I caught the home run hit by Damian Easley in the bottom of the 10th to tie the game and keep the Mets in the game (they would win it in the 12th on an Endy Chavez bunt). It landed in the picnic bleachers, bounced up, and landed in my upraised hand.

At the time I was taking pictures, and when I heard cries of "look out," "move over," and the like, my biggest fears were 1) getting conked on the head with the ball, and 2) my Digital camera getting damaged in the fight for the ball.

So when I realized the ball landed in my hand, I was in stunned disbelief.

(As an aside: My next game in the picnic bleachers at Shea was September 24 v. the Nationals. A home run did land in the bleachers, but it was a Washington homer; the fans were chanting for the guy who caught the ball to throw it back, which he did. I don't know if I would have.)

[RuthMayBond]

What's everybody's experience getting balls at games? Have you caught foul balls or gotten balls during batting practice?
Yes

<What's the best place to get balls during BP?>

Probably field level, towards the foul pole but not in too big a crowd

<I asked if he had any extra balls, and he gave me that one. I later had Tom Glavine (ugh...) sign it.>

If it's that much of a tragedy I can take it off your hands

<In my experience, it's a lot easier to get balls during BP if you're in fair territory, since you're right near the pitchers shagging fly balls, which is why I had luck in Boston and Arizona but not at Shea.>

Pitchers don't always shag flies in the OF

[spiderico]

All at Yankee Stadium:
1987, next to right field foul pole, hit by Ernie Witt
1996, upper reserve sec 9, Jeter
1998, upper box sec 4, Troy O'Leary
2004, upper box sec 4, Bernie Williams
2007, upper box sec 4, Jason Giambi

My biggest tip, play the rebound. Rarley does someone catch it on the fly.

When someone catches a ball, the same thing always happens. He looks at it closely a few times (like hes never actually held a baseball), grips it like a pitcher, rubs it. Then a good number of people in his section (usually a radius up to 10 rows) congratulate him and ask to see it. It gets passed around and everyone who handles it goes through the same routine. No matter how far it gets passed, it always works its way back. Like when handing hot dog money down the row. And for the rest of the game the guy who got it will hold it in his hand, occasionally looking at it and still doing the pitching grips.

After I caught one of mine, a guy asked to see it, handed it to his son, took a picture of his son holding it, then gave it back to me. Can't make that up!

[PeteU]

My experience has been somewhat limited:

1992--West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium, Dodgers v. Expos spring training--foul ball bounced into the stands, rolled along the bottom rail of the bleacher seating, right into my hands.

2007--Oriole Park at Camden Yards--Batting practice. I had it signed by Boog Powell while waiting in line for his BBQ.

My dad did once actually manage to catch a foul ball in his hands. He got it signed by Brooks Robinson.

[marlins739]

1998 - Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter FL - Expos vs. Cardinals - I was sitting down the first base line and I caught a Mark McGwire foul ball in my hands. It was before all the home run chase stuff that year. I've gotten a ton of foul balls at Jupiter Hammerheads/Palm Beach Cardinals single A games there

[bosoxgo]

i got one at Fenway during batting practice in 2005 they were playing the Angles my seat was in left field right near Peske Pole im not sure who hit it but i know it was a redsox so i looked up and saw the ball comin right to me it hit a arm rest on a chair like 2 rows in front of me and i put my glove in front of my face and got it if i didnt have my glove the ball wudda hit me right in the kissa.

[JohnCropp]

During the last game of this past season, Jonathan Wyatt of the Georgia Bulldogs hit his last home run of his collegiate career right at me. For a moment, I thought about trying to catch it, then realized that no one was around me and opted for the embarrassment-free option of letting it fall at my feet, holding it up for the people in the seats to see, and teasing my "dawg" with it.

The game was played on Mother's Day and Jonathan's mom was there so his brother came over and offered an autographed ball in exchange for it.

So, now I've got ball signed by the 2007 Georgia Bulldog team and Jonathan's mom has the last home run he hit as a Dawg.

I'm sure glad my dog didn't beat me to the ball.

[driver62]

I caught a foul ball at Riverfront or should I say, it caught me.

I was coming back to my seat after visiting the restroom and a foul ball was hit in the section to my right. It bounced off a few hands and landed right at my feet. It bounced up and hit me in the jaw but I caught it. I had a sore jaw for a few days but I also had the ball.

[donniebaseball23]

I have never personally caught one, but my buddy who I was with years ago caught a Paul O'Neil line drive in the short porch with one hand. People around us were going nuts. He was like OMG I caught I caught it!! Was so fun.

[MattM]

I have never personally caught one, but my buddy who I was with years ago caught a Paul O'Neil line drive in the short porch with one hand. People around us were going nuts. He was like OMG I caught I caught it!! Was so fun.


I've been really fortunate.

Yankee Stadium-
7-29-2004 - Batting practice (Later signed by David Ortiz, and Andy Phillips)
7-14-2005 - Batting practice (A Rod hit thrown to me by Chein Ming Wang)

Shea Stadium
8-23-2004 - Batting practice (Ball given to me by trainer)
8-23-2004 - David Wright throw to Eric Valent at first, who tossed it into the stands (Got the ball signed by most of the 04 Mets, minus Piazza)
4-6-2006 - Julio Franco gave me a ball
4-6-2006 - Delgado throws a ball into the stands

Brooklyn Cyclones
7-19-2007 - Home opener vs. Yankees (Batting practice) My friend managed to climb under the fence where the Thunderbolt roller coaster used to lie, and got the first HR ball of the season
7-24-2007 - Practice ball

Long Island Ducks
5-31-2005 Atlantic City Surf basically give away a few balls by throwing them into the stands
6-15-2005 Pete Rose Jr basically catches a ball in foul territory while playing first, and gives me the ball

I only have the dates cause I saved the ticket stubs. Still, I'm pretty lucky that I've caught nearly 10.

Best advice, get to games early for BP. If you go to Shea stadium, go to the second tier right next to the foul pole. Players will often throw a few up there. For Yankee, the bleachers are your best bet. Stand a few rows back because the balls richocet really quick off the metal seats.

Minor leagues are different, they tend to give baseballs away if you ask them nicely, and catch them in a good mood.

[StadiumPage]

I used to go to BP at Shea all the time. Got many balls up in the last sections of Loge boxes just past the foul poles.

You get alot of BP homers up there plus sometimes the players in the OF throw balls up to the fans.

[emath2432]

I've gotten 3 during BP... All at Cinergy/Riverfront... One was a line shot by Sosa down the 3rd base line. I was the closest to it. Another was actually thrown into the stands by a Red player, and it bounced around under some seats... None of the people fighting over it even saw where it went. I calmly walked over, reached under a seat about 6 seats down from the scrum, and got it... The 3rd, I really can't remember. I just know I have one...

I got the middle one autographed by Mr Red for my little cousin, and gave it to him...

[Lpeters199]

The right field upper deck at Tiger Stadium had to be one of the best places to grab a ball in batting practice. It hung out 15 feet closer to the plate than the already short right field fence. I spent batting practice there the year before the stadium closed, and a regular came in with a glove and a duffel bag. I asked what his biggest haul was, and he said he'd picked up 16 one day when he was the only person in the RF upper deck. I believe he did, since I counted nine for him that day, when there was a fair amount of competition. Good guy, though--he gave four of them away to kids and young ladies. Two days later the Detroit news gave an interview with him, which I still have. I'll post it on this thread after I get it scanned. Some of you nuts might find it as interesting as I did.

[JeepingBaseball]

My father caught a ball in front of my face while I was a child. But I have dozen or so balls from Shea handed to me

[Kentucky Bomber]

I've never caught a ball in play during a game in all the many years and games I've gone to. However,

in 1963 Bobby Shantz was warming up at the Polo Grounds before the game and flipped the ball into the stands when done. It was perfectly aimed to bounce up the aisleway and land just to my left as I was in an aisle seat. I dove on top of it, and several other kids dove on top of me. I held on.

Some time in the 1960's I was in the upper deck near the foul pole for batting practice in Yankee Stadium. All alone, just me and a security guard. Joe Pepitone hit one up there and, I think, Gene Michael. I casually strolled over and got 2 in 1 day.

My son, on the other hand, has been a ball magnet. He was a small freckle faced little kid, and whenever we went to a game he would stand by the rail and ballplayers would always flip him a ball. He got a bucket full. Major League, Minor League, the same. One time we went to a mid-week day game in Slugger Field and he went down to the rail to sit for batting practice while I stayed higher up in our seats. A couple of the visiting players climbed over the rail and sat with him, sharing their sunflower seeds with him and talking baseball with him (he's an encyclopedia, was even then). It pays to be cute, I guess.

[Yoda]

One time I was walking to my seat in the bleachers at wrigley during BP and almost got brained from a ball.

[schnu]

The first ball I got I probably shouldn't have.

I was in college and covered a Mets Padres game in August 1988 just before our semester began. After doing some interviews (Gregg Jefferies was my big get), I was walking off the field towards the visiting dugout at end of BP. Someone (I wasn't looking so I don't know who) fouled one up the line and it landed right in my path.

For some reason I just picked it up and walked towards the dugout wth it in my hand. A bunch of kids were yelling at me to throw it above the dugout, but I thought throwing it may just get me in trouble.

I sat down on the bench, stuffed into my knapsack & went up the tunnel to continue my day as a member of the working press.

The second ball was given to my daughter at her first game at Shea by an usher 2 years ago. It sits on her bookshelf.

But my favorite ball story is the one I didn't get (ironically, it occurred only about 2 weeks before the Mets Padres game in my first story).

It's my first trip up to Fenway with my college roommate from RI. He and his dad always made it a point to buy tickets for one game a year in the first row in right field, next to the bullpens. So we head to Fenway right when the gates open and watch BP.

The Sox are on a huge run at home on their way to the division title - something like 23 straight wins at home, so the place is abuzz. Of course, I'm a 20 yr old know-it-all from NYC and decide for kicks to wear my Mets BP jersey to the game.

Most Sox fans look at me like I'm an alien (remember, its less than 2 years after Game 6) - the only person who says anything to me says "It takes guts to wear that shirt in here" (for the record, I'm only 5'7" & 150lb).

So we get to our seats, I'm watching PB (even strike up a conversation with ex-Met Walt Terrell during his off-day BP session) & the Sox start their BP.

I don't know who's taking his licks - but someone rips into one & its heading right towards me in my seat. There's a mass of people around me but I'm in front and the ball is tracking to my glove like a laser. Just as the ball is about to make contact with my leather, out of nowhere comes Chet Lemon like he's Willie Mays and takes the ball away from me. I can still see his road Tigers uni & #34 right in front of me.

Truly the story of the one that got away.

[jaycee]

i was at shea in Aug 2004 & i was at bp behind the mets dugout & david wright rolled a ball across the dugout which i got my glove over before everyone. It says practice, but there is dirt & grass stains on it

[xholdourownx]

I've gotten probably 50 balls or so. I go to games a lot and get a ball or two each time i go. 3 games so far this year had yeielded 7 balls.

[Gary Dunaier]

I caught the home run ball Damion Easley hit in the bottom of the 10th inning to keep New York alive in what would be a 12th-inning Mets victory against the Colorado Rockies at Shea Stadium, 4/24/07. It was one of only three pinch-hit home runs the Mets hit all year.

Amazingly, moments before, I snapped a picture of Easley hitting that very homer!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2317856499_9a21c44a87.jpg?v=0
(Photo taken April 24, 2007. © Gary Dunaier)

[Mattingly85MVP]

Caught my first and only foul ball on July 31st 2007- Jermaine Dye hit a foul ball off a Mike Mussina pitch in the 7th inn. and the ball hit off the 3rd deck facing on the 1st base side, and I caught it from my seat in the field level. I've gotten about 16 balls hit/thrown to me during bp...all at Yankee Stadium from 2004-08. Its a great feeling catching a ball, love making it to BP at Yankee stadium. Although there's always about 500 people crammed in the right field stands...here's a picture I found, even though it doesn't look bad from this pic, from May to Sept its always pack in right field and you can barely move around there, plus there's always people pushing others around and dog piles when a ball falls to the ground. It gets nuts out there

[BeatEmBucs]

I've gotten a few at PNC Park. I have a 20 game plan where my seats are on top of the 21 ft high wall in RF. Griffey hit one straight to me in BP. Sometimes I'll hang out in the LF Bleachers as well. The outfield is the best place to get balls. Sometimes a player will throw you one if you get into a nice conversation with them. A key to getting balls in BP is knowing the bounces. I've obtained balls by being in the bleachers and the ball would bounce off the warning track. PNC has a short LF fence so I guess that would make it easier, and sometimes balls would bounce off the concrete, or a railing, and just come to me because I was in the right spot.

[BenHertz]

As an adult male, what's the proper etiquette for glove use? Should I bring a glove or catch bare handed? I don't want people thinking I'm trying to revive my childhood.

[Reds41]

You could be like that kid that goes to games all over the country begging for baseballs at games. I think he has something like 8-9,000 baseballs. He is a NYer too.

I have gotten 1 baseball, but about 30 pucks at hockey games and 1 NFL football during a FG attempt in 1986.

[Mattingly85MVP]

Here's that guy's website...not even a kid, he's 30 I think...interesting stuff here...that's cool that you caught a game football.

http://snaggingbaseballs.mlblogs.com/

[Lpeters199]

As an adult male, what's the proper etiquette for glove use? Should I bring a glove or catch bare handed? I don't want people thinking I'm trying to revive my childhood.
Barehanded, by all means. Using a glove, it's just a catch--but barehanded, it's an achievement. Then give the ball to a child. He or she will never forget you, and you'll always be glad you did.

[baseballman1243]

Last year I was in the right field bleachers (which are my seats anyway) for batting practice. A-Rod jacked one out there and it bounced a couple of feet away. I ran over there thinking people were actually around it. Turns out when I picked it up and looked up, no one was near me. Eventually I got it signed by Shelly Duncan.

[Reds41]

Here's that guy's website...not even a kid, he's 30 I think...interesting stuff here...that's cool that you caught a game football.

http://snaggingbaseballs.mlblogs.com/

He is 30??? Wow! I never realized he was that old. I thought he was just a kid. Thanks for the link!

Yes, the FG went wide left and this was before they had nets behind the uprights. If you think you get mugged fighting for a baseball, try getting a football.

I did it once. Never again. I got mine already. :rofl:

[Great One]

1. Batting Practice - Cubs @ Phillies - April 2002??? not sure on date - Derek Lee tosses ball into stands.
2. Game - Marlins @ Phillies - 10-2-04 - Same day Larry Bowa was fired as Phillies manager. Chase Utley tosses a ball into the stands after making an out on a ball hit by Miguel Cabrera .
3. Batting Practice - Red Sox @ Phillies - Exhibition game at Citizens Bank Park - want to say in 2006. Mark Loretta hits ball which rolls down the third base line into foul territory.

[cgcoyne2]

I went to Toronto in 2006 with a couple of friends from work. We go on a trip almost every year. We went over by the left field line and I saw one of the young pitchers standing in left field. I think it was T.J. Beam. I started in on him. I said, "Come on, how about the old guy? I'm 40 and I've never caught a foul ball. I swear. I'll get you a hotdog. Come on. I could die any day now." I'm going on and on and then finally he had some kid in the field with him toss me a ball. This was my first ball ever. Then the kid comes over and tosses me another one. Then I caught a foul ball right after that. I gave the 2nd and 3rd balls to my friends because they also never got a ball. So I have only one ball.

[baseballman1243]

This is not a baseball...but one time my dad got tickets to a devils game (as much as I hate them) and the tickets were from the second row. After the devils scored a goal the ref took the puck, skated over and flipped over the glass to me.

[RuthMayBond]

I went to Toronto in 2006 with a couple of friends from work. We go on a trip almost every year. We went over by the left field line and I saw one of the young pitchers standing in left field. I think it was T.J. Beam. I started in on him. I said, "Come on, how about the old guy? I'm 40 and I've never caught a foul ball. I swear. I'll get you a hotdog. Come on. I could die any day now." I'm going on and on and then finally he had some kid in the field with him toss me a ball. This was my first ball ever. Then the kid comes over and tosses me another one. Then I caught a foul ball right after that. I gave the 2nd and 3rd balls to my friends because they also never got a ball. So I have only one ball.I got three the old-fashioned way in my only Toronto BP (and I was late to BP to boot). These girls kept bugging me so I gave them one

[RuthMayBond]

Two more tonight in Cleveland :dance:hyper::faint::baseball::baseball::party: :highfive:

[alpineinc]

Going to games since '71, Met full season ticket holder (field level) since '02 and still not one foul ball. A couple have bounced off my hands, but no cigar - and if a ball lands close, I generally don't push the kids out of the way to get it! I'll probably get one the same game as the Mets' first no-hitter, lol.

[Mattingly85MVP]

I got three the old-fashioned way in my only Toronto BP (and I was late to BP to boot). These girls kept bugging me so I gave them one

I hope they were at least really good looking women that you'd give one up...unless they were little kids pestering you and you wanted to get them off your case.

[Gary Dunaier]

What would you guys do if you caught a home run ball - the very first ball you've ever gotten at a game - and, since it was hit by the opposing team, the crowd started chanting "throw it back! throw it back!"?

That didn't happen to me but I was at a Mets game where that did happen, and if memory serves me right the guy did throw it back.

[Chevy114]

My mom reminded me of how she went to baseball games for almost 20 years and then one of her last games was in the cape cod league watching my brothers team mates play and my dropped a foul ball on her back while she was ducking. Nothing to serious, but it still hurt. But it was kind of weird that after 20 years that finally happened.

[RuthMayBond]

I hope they were at least really good looking women that you'd give one up...unless they were little kids pestering you and you wanted to get them off your case.The latter :sigh:

[RuthMayBond]

What would you guys do if you caught a home run ball - the very first ball you've ever gotten at a game - and, since it was hit by the opposing team, the crowd started chanting "throw it back! throw it back!"?

That didn't happen to me but I was at a Mets game where that did happen, and if memory serves me right the guy did throw it back.Keep it (and NOT risk getting ejected)

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

I remember having seats underneath the overhang in right field at Tiger Stadium. We arrived early enough for Batting Practice and I was actually really scared (I was real young mind you) and started to cry because it was like being in the middle of a war zone there were so many balls coming in from seemingly all directions and people running and jumping over seats. I had myself pressed against the fence and was looking around in sheer terror. I guess Milt Wilcox either heard and/or saw me and came over, called me "sport" or something, and tossed a ball over the fence to me. My dad held onto it for me and I'd ask to see it about once an hour for the rest of the day at the game... as time passed I had somewhat forgot about it until we were half way back to Illinois. I asked where it was and my dad told me that Grandpa was holding onto it for me... A few weeks later when we returned to Detroit (most of my childhood was in a car driving back and forth from Chicago to Detroit) my grandpa gave me the ball back with Al Kaline's signature on it. I have that ball in a case on my desk here at work... speaking of work....

[Gary Dunaier]

my grandpa gave me the ball back with Al Kaline's signature on it. I have that ball in a case on my desk here at work... speaking of work....

Al Kaline! I know who he is... he's the guy who makes all those batteries!!!!!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/399020677_5aa6330d05.jpg?v=1172174927

sorry... couldn't resist... :sorry:

[RuthMayBond]

Al Kaline! I know who he is... he's the guy who makes all those batteries!!!!!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/399020677_5aa6330d05.jpg?v=1172174927

sorry... couldn't resist... :sorry:Looks like we will have to
direct a lot of
current your way, I'm
positive that was a bad joke, back in your
cell

[aqib]

Barehanded, by all means. Using a glove, it's just a catch--but barehanded, it's an achievement. Then give the ball to a child. He or she will never forget you, and you'll always be glad you did.

I used to have a 20 game pack to the Indians, right down the third base line where the Terrace Club begins. Never caught one, I have had every close call you can imagine. One night I scalped a seat to a game not in my plan and I sat across the ailse 3 rows back from my regular seat. The guy sitting in my regular seat caught 2 of them.

So if you have to use a glove, use the glove. As for giving it to the kid only if one of the following apply:

1) The kid is there courtesy of the Make a Wish Foundation

2) You accidently knocked the kid over while going for the ball

3) You have already caught a ball in your life.

4) You caught the ball after it bounced off the kids head.

5) The kid has a hot older sister/older cousin/or single mom that you want to make a move on.

Otherwise its yours. The way I look at it, I turn 33 in a few weeks so I have many years of disappointment on whatever kid is there. Heck I'll give him my number and if he doesn't catch one by the time he is 33 he can call me and I'll give it to him. He should learn early you don't always get what you want out of life.

[RuthMayBond]

I used to have a 20 game pack to the Indians, right down the third base line where the Terrace Club begins. Never caught one, I have had every close call you can imagine. One night I scalped a seat to a game not in my plan and I sat across the ailse 3 rows back from my regular seat. The guy sitting in my regular seat caught 2 of them.

So if you have to use a glove, use the glove. As for giving it to the kid only if one of the following apply:

1) The kid is there courtesy of the Make a Wish Foundation

2) You accidently knocked the kid over while going for the ball

4) You caught the ball after it bounced off the kids head.

Agreed with these


<3) You have already caught a ball in your life.>

Dang, I owe kids over a hundred baseballs

<Otherwise its yours. The way I look at it, I turn 33 in a few weeks so I have many years of disappointment on whatever kid is there. Heck I'll give him my number and if he doesn't catch one by the time he is 33 he can call me and I'll give it to him. He should learn early you don't always get what you want out of life.>

Got that right. Players generally ONLY throw to the youngsters (or the aforementioned hot females)

[Reds41]

What would you guys do if you caught a home run ball - the very first ball you've ever gotten at a game - and, since it was hit by the opposing team, the crowd started chanting "throw it back! throw it back!"?

That didn't happen to me but I was at a Mets game where that did happen, and if memory serves me right the guy did throw it back.

The boos quit after the game.

The baseball and knowing you caught it goes on forever.

[RuthMayBond]

The boos quit after the game.

The baseball and knowing you caught it goes on forever.Someone with their head on straight :applaud::bowdown::clapping:highfive::thumbsup: :baseball:

[Dougman59]

My foul ball moment was in 1991. A one hand no glove catch of a ball that was over my shoulder. The ball had deflected off the upper deck metal fasade of Milwaukee County Stadium that then came down to first deck. To the left of my seat was the railing to the "employee only" entrance. When the ball hit one of my friends said "its coming down here".

I caught the ball extended over the entrance area. If I missed it would gone down the entrance. There was no room for error. What strange about it is how instinctual catching it was. I remember looking right and starting seeing the ball come down, turning left, seeing over my shoulder, and next thing it was in my hand. I don't think I could do that ever again.

Obliviously I'm very proud of the moment.

[Lafferty Daniel]

My foul ball moment was in 1991. A one hand no glove catch of a ball that was over my shoulder. The ball had deflected off the upper deck metal fasade of Milwaukee County Stadium that then came down to first deck. To the left of my seat was the railing to the "employee only" entrance. When the ball hit one of my friends said "its coming down here".

I caught the ball extended over the entrance area. If I missed it would gone down the entrance. There was no room for error. What strange about it is how instinctual catching it was. I remember looking right and starting seeing the ball come down, turning left, seeing over my shoulder, and next thing it was in my hand. I don't think I could do that ever again.

Obliviously I'm very proud of the moment.

Sounds like a great catch. :applaud:

[Lafferty Daniel]

So how old is too old to bring a glove to a game? (not counting home run derbys or when Justin Upton breaks the HR record)

[RuthMayBond]

My foul ball moment was in 1991. A one hand no glove catch of a ball that was over my shoulder. The ball had deflected off the upper deck metal fasade of Milwaukee County Stadium that then came down to first deck. To the left of my seat was the railing to the "employee only" entrance. When the ball hit one of my friends said "its coming down here".

I caught the ball extended over the entrance area. If I missed it would gone down the entrance. There was no room for error. What strange about it is how instinctual catching it was. I remember looking right and starting seeing the ball come down, turning left, seeing over my shoulder, and next thing it was in my hand. I don't think I could do that ever again.

Obliviously I'm very proud of the moment.Props to all you guys who catch balls DURING a game :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[yankies4life]

i have gotten a batting practice ball to every game this season ive been to at yankee stadium. i stand down the right field or i stand at the right field wall, and wait until a player gets a ball. Normally, the early you get there, the better your chances are as less people are there. Also, it helps if you know the players by name. For instance, my last game, Ross Ohlendworf through me a ball because i knew his name, nobody else recognized him. Everytime i get a ball, i may keep one here and there but I usually give them to a kid i see or last week, i got one and gave it to a marine. But its fun

[Ohplayer]

Last year between two separate innings, Prince Fielder tosses a ball as he's leaving the field to each of my sons (2). We later had Josh Hamilton sign them after the game.

A few weeks ago when the Marlins were in town, Gonzo tossed a ball to my son during BP. We went down and he signed it for him before the game.

[Williamsburg2599]

What would you guys do if you caught a home run ball - the very first ball you've ever gotten at a game - and, since it was hit by the opposing team, the crowd started chanting "throw it back! throw it back!"?

That didn't happen to me but I was at a Mets game where that did happen, and if memory serves me right the guy did throw it back.

That's why you have to go to BP and grab one, so you can pull the old switch-a-roo.

[Reds41]

I went to a game last Thursday and caught a t-shirt that was shot from one of those three-person slingshots while they are standing on the dugouts.

I held it up over my head in celebration, and then turned and gave it to a 6 or 7 year old kid. The look on that kids face was better than making the catch.

[aqib]

I went to a game last Thursday and caught a t-shirt that was shot from one of those three-person slingshots while they are standing on the dugouts.

I held it up over my head in celebration, and then turned and gave it to a 6 or 7 year old kid. The look on that kids face was better than making the catch.

Shirts are one thing. If I catch a ball as a game I don't care about anyone else.

[Lpeters199]

I went to a game last Thursday and caught a t-shirt that was shot from one of those three-person slingshots while they are standing on the dugouts.

I held it up over my head in celebration, and then turned and gave it to a 6 or 7 year old kid. The look on that kids face was better than making the catch.
Cool! You did the right thing. Do it with a ball sometime, and you'll have a friend for life.

[Shadly]

I caught a ball at a game once. You'd think that when a group of 12 year olds saw a 30 year old man running towards them at full speed they'd yield a little but no! I must have bowled over 4 of the little [kids] before the rest wised up and backed off!!

[Lpeters199]

Kid gets his arm grabbed by an "adult" but still manages to get the ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkhpfbzYsSE

[Shadly]

Kid gets his arm grabbed by an "adult" but still manages to get the ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkhpfbzYsSE

Hah! That guys awesome!

[icee82]

There is a section in my Emily Post about taking a glove to a game. If you turn to page 83, it states that "no man over the age of 25 shall take a glove to a baseball game unless accompanied by a child under 10. If you take a glove then you must make it appear to be the kid's glove." Not only is this in the book of etiquette but it has been deemed as Man Law by the Men at the Squared Table.

[RuthMayBond]

There is a section in my Emily Post about taking a glove to a game. If you turn to page 83, it states that "no man over the age of 25 shall take a glove to a baseball game unless accompanied by a child under 10. If you take a glove then you must make it appear to be the kid's glove." Any guy talking about Emily Post better not be pretending to tell other men about manliness

<Not only is this in the book of etiquette but it has been deemed as Man Law by the Men at the Squared Table.>

Is that what they're calling the association of guys who haven't caught any baseballs? :rofl:

[Gary Dunaier]

Kid gets his arm grabbed by an "adult" but still manages to get the ball.

I didn't see that, but I noticed the ball went over the fence onto the "Budweiser house" property, and they stuck their arms through the fence and grabbed it. I wonder if, from a legal standpoint, once the ball crossed the fence it was legally the property of whoever owns the house and land.

[west coast orange and black]

ruthmaysbond: Props to all you guys who catch balls DURING a game


:bowdown: rhumba:danceman

[RuthMayBond]

ruthmaysbond: Props to all you guys who catch balls DURING a game


:bowdown: rhumba:dancemanWell, it doesn't hurt to have your good luck charm with ya :baseball::dance

[west coast orange and black]

^^
:highfive:

[giantsrule]

its seriously one of my life goals to catch a foul-or-bp ball, ive been to about 15 giants games in my life, both at the stick and AT&T...

i came close one time at AT&T park, the guy infront of me caught the foul ball, lol, i remember my mom was yelling, here it comes, here it comes, and i get up and put my glove out ready to make the catch and some 40 year old guy infront of me just stood up and caught it with his bare hands, and sits back down like nothing...


bonds #754 came in my section about 10-15 rows down from me...


hey im goin to the july 25th game vs. the d-backs, its a 7:15 start time and i wanted to know about what time do they start to have BP??, i want to catch a ball really bad, and also try to get some signatures,

thanks for any info



oh and as far as the bringing your glove to the park thing, my rule is

if you got got a glove, bring it....

[RuthMayBond]

its seriously one of my life goals to catch a foul-or-bp ball, ive been to about 15 giants games in my life, both at the stick and AT&T...

i came close one time at AT&T park, the guy infront of me caught the foul ball, lol, i remember my mom was yelling, here it comes, here it comes, and i get up and put my glove out ready to make the catch and some 40 year old guy infront of me just stood up and caught it with his bare hands, and sits back down like nothing...


bonds #754 came in my section about 10-15 rows down from me...


hey im goin to the july 25th game vs. the d-backs, its a 7:15 start time and i wanted to know about what time do they start to have BP??, i want to catch a ball really bad, and also try to get some signatures,

thanks for any info



oh and as far as the bringing your glove to the park thing, my rule is

if you got got a glove, bring it....I was going to Indians games for two years and never got one. I bought one at their gift shop one time. That night I caught one and haven't looked back since

[giantsrule]

cool, i too am gonna buy one in hopes of getting it signed...

[aqib]

Cool! You did the right thing. Do it with a ball sometime, and you'll have a friend for life.

Kids are different today. He will remember you until he goes to bed that night. The next morning he won't remember you.

[Lpeters199]

Kids are different today. He will remember you until he goes to bed that night. The next morning he won't remember you.
I stand corrected. You're probably right--bunch of punks!

[OlympianX]

I've never gotten a ball before or after a game, but one time at Yankee Stadium (most of the games I go to are at Shea Stadium) my friend, who was sitting right next to me, got a foul ball off the bat of Jorge Posada.

I was so close!

If I ever caught a home run ball from the away team I would keep it. I don't care if people pressure me. I wouldn't even try to trick them with a secret switch. They are just jealous. I'd also never give a ball away to a kid for two reasons... I'm a kid, myself (if 17 is considered a kid. And the second reason applies even when I'm not a kid: I've never gotten a foul ball! After I get my first maybe I'll give away the ones after that (I'll be lucky enough to get one and I'm planning on my 2nd and 3rd already. XD)

[mets16]

Bad story. Went to CBP in 2005 and was watching batting practice. Carlos Beltran comes off the field, points with his glove at me, when my 10 year brother jumps on me to get the ball, it hits my hand and rolls into the dugout. I couldn't even get the attendant to get it for me.

But I got redemption last year at the US open when Jimmy Connors throws a ball to him and i got my hands on that one

[RuthMayBond]

Bad story. Went to CBP in 2005 and was watching batting practice. Carlos Beltran comes off the field, points with his glove at me, when my 10 year brother jumps on me to get the ball, it hits my hand and rolls into the dugout. I couldn't even get the attendant to get it for me.

But I got redemption last year at the US open when Jimmy Connors throws a ball to him and i got my hands on that oneYou don't even need a glove to catch a tennis ball, he still owes you some :highfive:

[aqib]

I'd also never give a ball away to a kid for two reasons... I'm a kid, myself (if 17 is considered a kid. And the second reason applies even when I'm not a kid: I've never gotten a foul ball! After I get my first maybe I'll give away the ones after that (I'll be lucky enough to get one and I'm planning on my 2nd and 3rd already. XD)

:highfive:

I have 16 years on you and I have never got a ball either so as I stated earlier in in this thread I wouldn't give one to a kid unless:

1) its after I catch one

2) the ball hit the kid first

3) the kid is there courtesy of the make-a-wish foundation

4) he has a hot sister, cousin, single mom within my age bracket.

[JeepingBaseball]

Since my 20's... I usually give the ball to a kid. I've had my share of it and it was thrilling. I get more of a reward of giving it to them then keeping it myself. I got enough baseballs.

[RuthMayBond]

:highfive:

I have 16 years on you and I have never got a ball either so as I stated earlier in in this thread I wouldn't give one to a kid unless:

1) its after I catch one

2) the ball hit the kid first

3) the kid is there courtesy of the make-a-wish foundation

4) he has a hot sister, cousin, single mom within my age bracket.I"m guessing it's not necessarily in that order ;)

[aqib]

I"m guessing it's not necessarily in that order ;)

True, but if it was a case of a cute older sister I would have the older sister write her number on the ball with the promise that I will give it to her when we have dinner...

[DauntlessDave]

I've caught (I only really "caught" one) 2 baseballs in my almost 30 years of MLB patronage. As a kid in the '80s, I went to see the Orioles at Memorial Stadium more than 100 times and never even got close to a ball.

However, at a spring exhibition game at RFK (in D.C.) in '88 or '89, the Orioles were playing the Cardinals. I beat a bunch of other kids to an Ozzie Smith foul ball that rattled around in some empty seats. Even though I was a very shy kid, I waited for Ozzie after the game to try to get an autograph on his foul ball. To my dismay, he ignored me the entire way to the team bus. I even tugged at his Cosby sweater to get his attention, but no luck. He's always seemed like a very nice guy... even after that. Maybe he was having a bad day.

In college, I went to an Angels game at the Big A, or Edison Field, or Angels Stadium of Anaheim, or whatever it was called at the time. It was one of those really boring one-sided games that was a frequent occurrence in Anaheim back then. I don't remember who they were playing (the Royals?) or who was pitching. The only thing I remember was that next to me, a young kid (about 7) was being relentlessly tormented the whole game by his older brother (about 11) and a friend. He was definitely not having a very good time.

In the bottom of the 7th, I was trying to stay awake with the other fans in left field when Tim Salmon woke us up with a sudden crack. It was very high and not very deep and seemed to take forever to fall into our section. I stood up on the bleacher and reached out with two hands. Being 6'4" has it's advantages at times. I caught it with both hands as pain instantly shot like fire down my right arm. Everyone cheered (not for me, but the HR), and with one motion, I just turned and handed it to the young kid. I didn't think about it ahead of time, it just happened. I guess it felt like the right thing to do.

Anyway, it made his night and when his big brother asked to take a look at it, my advice to the kid was "just say no." "Take it home and hide it!" It felt good to give the ball to the kid... until after the game when my right hand swelled up. I couldn't move my fingers on that hand for two days!

[RuthMayBond]

True, but if it was a case of a cute older sister I would have the older sister write her number on the ball with the promise that I will give it to her when we have dinner...You do more angling than Ted Williams . . .
. . . at EITHER sport

[aqib]

You do more angling than Ted Williams . . .
. . . at EITHER sport

What can I say, its tough meeting people in this town.

[aqib]

I've caught (I only really "caught" one) 2 baseballs in my almost 30 years of MLB patronage. As a kid in the '80s, I went to see the Orioles at Memorial Stadium more than 100 times and never even got close to a ball.

However, at a spring exhibition game at RFK (in D.C.) in '88 or '89, the Orioles were playing the Cardinals. I beat a bunch of other kids to an Ozzie Smith foul ball that rattled around in some empty seats. Even though I was a very shy kid, I waited for Ozzie after the game to try to get an autograph on his foul ball. To my dismay, he ignored me the entire way to the team bus. I even tugged at his Cosby sweater to get his attention, but no luck. He's always seemed like a very nice guy... even after that. Maybe he was having a bad day.

In college, I went to an Angels game at the Big A, or Edison Field, or Angels Stadium of Anaheim, or whatever it was called at the time. It was one of those really boring one-sided games that was a frequent occurrence in Anaheim back then. I don't remember who they were playing (the Royals?) or who was pitching. The only thing I remember was that next to me, a young kid (about 7) was being relentlessly tormented the whole game by his older brother (about 11) and a friend. He was definitely not having a very good time.

In the bottom of the 7th, I was trying to stay awake with the other fans in left field when Tim Salmon woke us up with a sudden crack. It was very high and not very deep and seemed to take forever to fall into our section. I stood up on the bleacher and reached out with two hands. Being 6'4" has it's advantages at times. I caught it with both hands as pain instantly shot like fire down my right arm. Everyone cheered (not for me, but the HR), and with one motion, I just turned and handed it to the young kid. I didn't think about it ahead of time, it just happened. I guess it felt like the right thing to do.

Anyway, it made his night and when his big brother asked to take a look at it, my advice to the kid was "just say no." "Take it home and hide it!" It felt good to give the ball to the kid... until after the game when my right hand swelled up. I couldn't move my fingers on that hand for two days!

Anyone remember the time Charlie Sheen bought like 6000 tickets so he could have left field to himself and no one hit a HR there.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Corbis on a search for Roger Maris. That low wall in Yankee Stadium's right field made for some good battles.

46562

So THAT's why they lowered the 1923 field 5ft!

Realistically though, did lowering the field allow the renovators to steepen the pitch of the Field seating a whole lot? Or not so?

[DauntlessDave]

Anyone remember the time Charlie Sheen bought like 6000 tickets so he could have left field to himself and no one hit a HR there.
Hahaha! Yeah... I remember seeing that highlight (or lowlight) on TV. I looked for a picture on google, but I couldn't find one. When was that? Does anyone remember? You'd think with his Heidi Fleiss connections, he'd have brought a guest.

[RuthMayBond]

Hahaha! Yeah... I remember seeing that highlight (or lowlight) on TV. I looked for a picture on google, but I couldn't find one. When was that? Does anyone remember? You'd think with his Heidi Fleiss connections, he'd have brought a guest.

http://www.askmen.com/fashion/austin_100/143_fashion_style.html

[RuthMayBond]

The guy in the white shirt caught it.

47357It's not necessary to be so specific

[giantsrule]

has anybody ever caught a bat??

or part of a bat???

[RuthMayBond]

has anybody ever caught a bat??

or part of a bat???That would require me sitting closer than 200 feet away from home plate . . .
. . . and I don't think I've ever done that

[Lpeters199]

has anybody ever caught a bat??

or part of a bat???

Yup.



Baseball - Blue Jays vs. Tigers
A fan gets high-fives after catching a bat that was accidentally thrown into the stands. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-3 on opening day at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI on opening day, April 2, 2007.

[RuthMayBond]

Yup.

47422

Baseball - Blue Jays vs. Tigers
A fan gets high-fives after catching a bat that was accidentally thrown into the stands. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-3 on opening day at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI on opening day, April 2, 2007.
You da MAN! Whose bat was it?

[RuthMayBond]

Don't know.Did you catch that bat or someone else? We know that it does happen

<Here are some more lawsuits in progress.> The back of your ticket says otherwise

47427

47428

47429

47430

47431

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Yeah In 2007 I went To Miller Park to see a Brewers Game (I only live about an Hour and 15 Minutes from Miller Park) The Brewers were Playing The Pittsburgh Pirates. I had seats in the Second Deck of The Right Field Bleachers, and I went to the first row of the second deck of the Right Field Bleachers. The Pirates were doing BP and I brought my Baseball Glove with me to the Game. And there was ball hit and it landed on the field around right field, and one of the Players from the Pirates threw the ball to me, and I put my Baseball Glove Out to Reach to catch the ball, and I Caught It. This was my first and only Major Leauge Baseball I have Ever Caught. It was the Greatest Moment of my life.

[giantsrule]

lol, my bad about not being clear enough...

i meant if any of YOU GUYS have ever caught a bat or piece of a bat...

[RuthMayBond]

Yeah In 2007 I went To Miller Park to see a Brewers Game (I only live about an Hour and 15 Minutes from Miller Park) The Brewers were Playing The Pittsburgh Pirates. I had seats in the Second Deck of The Right Field Bleachers, and I went to the first row of the second deck of the Right Field Bleachers. The Pirates were doing BP and I brought my Baseball Glove with me to the Game. And there was ball hit and it landed on the field around right field, and one of the Players from the Pirates threw the ball to me, and I put my Baseball Glove Out to Reach to catch the ball, and I Caught It. This was my first and only Major Leauge Baseball I have Ever Caught. It was the Greatest Moment of my life.You da man :dance:highfive::thumbsup::baseball::party: :applaud: :clapping:hyper:

[DWright5]

I got a ball on opening day at shea this year. From Jimmy Rollins. I have perfect seats for foul balls in the loge section 5 just to the left of the radio booth. I have about 10 balls at home and the one I like the most is one I got the night of Tom Glavine's 296th career win. I got the foul ball from Carlos Beltran.

[Brad MCdonald]

Got a neat story.I went with with teenage sons (and a buddy of theirs) for our annual pilgrimage to Safeco Field to see our beloved (but struggling M's) on the June 30th game Vs Toronto(As a sidebar, as a Canadian who hates the Blue Jays and loves the Mariners, I would like to apologize for the drunken idiot behavior of my misguided fellow Canadians who happen to be Blue Jay fans!). Back to the topic..we had great seats on the third base side , 4 rows up where the stands curve to the foul line.We got their early for BP to see if we could snag any balls. After 30 minutes, my youngest announced he was starving , so we went to get some food while my 19 year old and his friend stayed at the seats. We came back to see a bit of a commotion...a women mid 20's NOT paying attention took one right off the side of the head. As it turned out the ball ricochet into our seats where my oldest got the ball. Instead of keeping the ball, my son walked up to the womens boyfriend and handed it to give to the women with the icepack over her huge welt on the side of her head.After, one of the Safeco the ushers came up to my son, complimented him on his kindness and said she would see if the Mariners" could do something". She came back in the second inning and gave him a Mariners cap and a game ball..very nice touch by the people at Safeco !

[RuthMayBond]

Got a neat story.I went with with teenage sons (and a buddy of theirs) for our annual pilgrimage to Safeco Field to see our beloved (but struggling M's) on the June 30th game Vs Toronto(As a sidebar, as a Canadian who hates the Blue Jays and loves the Mariners, I would like to apologize for the drunken idiot behavior of my misguided fellow Canadians who happen to be Blue Jay fans!). Back to the topic..we had great seats on the third base side , 4 rows up where the stands curve to the foul line.We got their early for BP to see if we could snag any balls. After 30 minutes, my youngest announced he was starving , so we went to get some food while my 19 year old and his friend stayed at the seats. We came back to see a bit of a commotion...a women mid 20's NOT paying attention took one right off the side of the head. As it turned out the ball ricochet into our seats where my oldest got the ball. Instead of keeping the ball, my son walked up to the womens boyfriend and handed it to give to the women with the icepack over her huge welt on the side of her head.After, one of the Safeco the ushers came up to my son, complimented him on his kindness and said she would see if the Mariners" could do something". She came back in the second inning and gave him a Mariners cap and a game ball..very nice touch by the people at Safeco !:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown: to the Ms AND your son

[Lpeters199]

Excellent work, young man! The world needs more like you.

[yamsi12]

4-23-08

john bowker of the giants in right field caught a padres fly to end the inning. I was sitting 3 rows behind their dugout and stood up as he was running in. He tossed it to me.

not very heroic. :dance

[Mattingly85MVP]

Scott Kazmir threw me a ball during BP at Home Run Derby last monday...

[Chevy114]

I heard kaz was the only one in the bullpen giving out balls, everyone else was frugle. Was that true?

[giantsrule]

tight ball mattingly...

[Williamsburg2599]

Scott Kazmir threw me a ball during BP at Home Run Derby last monday...

Cut that baby open and see if it's juiced. :dance

[Mattingly85MVP]

I heard kaz was the only one in the bullpen giving out balls, everyone else was frugle. Was that true?

Kazmir threw a good amount of balls to the crowd, talked to a few people, signed some autographs, waved for pictures...he was cool. Matt Holliday was probably the best out of everyone, every ball hit to right field that went near him he threw to the fans, at least 10 balls before he left to take bp, after he left, hardly anymore were thrown to the fans

[giantsrule]

cool, i too am gonna buy one in hopes of getting it signed...


update,

i bought one of those official mlb baseballs, cost me 16 bucks but it comes with a lil' display case so its cool...


now all i need is tim lincecum to sign it: im the greatest pitcher of all time Tim Lincecum

[RuthMayBond]

now all i need is tim lincecum to sign it: im the greatest pitcher of all time Tim LincecumI would wait until his second year to say that

[Williamsburg2599]

I would wait until his second year to say that

But he plays in the rough and tumble NL West! :dance

[RuthMayBond]

But he plays in the rough and tumble NL West! :danceHe might take a rough tumble by his second year

[giantsrule]

my opinion on him is already set in stone... hopefully leather and ink as well...

[Chevy114]

Just compare carlos pena's stats from last year and this year and tell me if one good year always translates into a second good year!

[DiggerODell]

You know? With the exception of catching one of Willie Horton's 25 HR's at Oakland in the left field bleachers in 1971 or so, the only other time I can recollect "getting balls at a ballgame" was when in 1973 at age 17 I took a girl from my high school who's name I'll leave off here, to a game at the Stick. Before the game her and I were down along the 3rd base line watching batting practice and with my arm around her shoulder I just reached down and grabbed her caboose! Not sure why "getting balls at games" reminded me of this occasion . . . but it did. She didn't seem to mind which made it even better . . .

[Lpeters199]

The 'Stick had some mad scrambles for home run balls.

[Lpeters199]

Home run by the visiting team.

[RuthMayBond]

If you guys are having trouble getting rid of mice

http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?evgroupid=0&userid=indians&gallery_id=1099436&image_id=25

[RuthMayBond]

Yeah I know it's cheating, but I went to this game

http://www.florencefreedom.com/2008scores/flo8300.html

Got a stray ball (signed by Andy Clark, probably the best player between both teams), and both game home runs :baseball::baseball::baseball:

[Meadowlark]

That's why you have to go to BP and grab one, so you can pull the old switch-a-roo.

That's the only reason I can understand for wanting a practice ball.

Anything that's virtually given away has little intrinsic value as a keepsake.

BTW I wonder if people actively snagged baseballs during the deadball era?

A diehard like that guy with 3,000 balls would be lucky to have 30 odd!

[tugger]

I've gotten 3 foul balls (73 at Vet, Santo, 90 at Vet, Ricky Jordan, 07 at Jake, Victor Martinez). Also got a puck in 79 at Spectrum vs. Gordie Howe and the Whale, 30th game of 33 unbeaten by Flyers.

Only at the Jake was I in my ticketed seat.

[Greg B.]

The first time I went to Monument Park, a Yankees pitcher (I think it was Neil Allen) gave me a ball. Later on, during that game, I got hit in the head with a ball

Suddenly a whole lot of the posts you've made here are explained. ;)

(sorry, couldn't resist)

[RuthMayBond]

I've gotten 3 foul balls (73 at Vet, Santo, 90 at Vet, Ricky Jordan, 07 at Jake, Victor Martinez). Also got a puck in 79 at Spectrum vs. Gordie Howe and the Whale, 30th game of 33 unbeaten by Flyers.

Only at the Jake was I in my ticketed seat.Dang, getting a puck has GOT to be difficult :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[Mattingly85MVP]

This guy caught home run balls on consecutive nights...pretty crazy, check out the footage

http://www.zackhample.com/baseball_collection/homers/jason_giambi.mpg

http://www.zackhample.com/baseball_collection/homers/johnny_damon.mpg

[RuthMayBond]

This guy caught home run balls on consecutive nights...pretty crazy, check out the footage

http://www.zackhample.com/baseball_collection/homers/jason_giambi.mpg

http://www.zackhample.com/baseball_collection/homers/johnny_damon.mpgMaybe dude should be playing the lotto

[donniebaseball23]

Maybe dude should be playing the lotto

Is this the same guy who has caught thousands of baseballs and had a story on 60 minutes?

[RuthMayBond]

Is this the same guy who has caught thousands of baseballs and had a story on 60 minutes?I doubt it. He mostly begs players and fishes for balls over the railing with some contraption

[donniebaseball23]

I doubt it. He mostly begs players and fishes for balls over the railing with some contraption

Well turns out it is the same guy. He really needs to play the lottery:

http://snaggingbaseballs.mlblogs.com/

[RuthMayBond]

Well turns out it is the same guy. He really needs to play the lottery:

http://snaggingbaseballs.mlblogs.com/Dang! I managed to get 2 HR in the same game, but this guy is insane :bowdown::bowdown:

[donniebaseball23]

Dang! I managed to get 2 HR in the same game, but this guy is insane :bowdown::bowdown:

Wow you got two in the same game?? That is impressive! Where and when?

[RuthMayBond]

Wow you got two in the same game?? That is impressive! Where and when?A LONG time ago, mid 1980s at mostly empty Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Andre Thornton & Ted Simmons. I should look up the box score.

I'm thinking it was probably this game

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE198508261.shtml

[yamsi12]

I snagged 3 balls at the Padres/Giants game on 9-13

one was lincecum's 234th K of the season. Whcih will go right next to his 160th K ball I got on 8-1

having seats 3rd row behind the Giants dugout and being 6'11" with a glove helped some.

[RuthMayBond]

having seats 3rd row behind the Giants dugout and being 6'11" with a glove helped some.So everyone behind the dugout was safe :hide:

[RuthMayBond]

It was batting practice, but an Indians player threw me one from practically the left field corner to the right-center stands :bowdown:

[RuthMayBond]

FINALLY went to my first game at PNC on June 1st. Neither team's batters were reaching the seats very well in BP. There were a bunch of balls that had just rolled into the outfield. Then eventually Pelfrey comes along and tosses a few into the crowd. Somehow ...
... I GOT one! Which really helped out this little kid later. BP was winding down and somebody tossed one to a dad with a kid. He fumbled it and it rolled past him, onto the field, where I was able to get it. Right away I gave it to the dad. Now if Pelfrey hadn't thrown that ball in, I would have asked the dad, but I bet they are locals and they probably would have been out of luck on the ball he missed.

[li7039]

ive gotten 3 all from shea

1 from Bell during a inning warmup
1 from a guard in the mets bullpen after Andrew Jones hit a homerun
1 a line drive hit right to me by Luiz Gonzelez.

[nymdan]

What's funny is that in all of my years at Shea I never ended up getting a ball... and then I got one on Opening Day at Citi Field.
What's everybody's experience getting balls at games? Have you caught foul balls or gotten balls during batting practice? What's the best place to get balls during BP?

In all the times I've been to Shea, I've never gotten a ball, but I've gotten two at other parks.

When the Mets played at Fenway last year, I was standing near the visitors' bullpen during BP, and I saw that Guy Conte (Mets bullpen coach) had a ball in his pocket. I asked if he had any extra balls, and he gave me that one. I later had Tom Glavine (ugh...) sign it.

Also last year I went to a game at Chase Field, when the Diamondbacks were playing the Padres. I was watching BP from the first row of the left field stands. Jake Peavy was throwing a ball around in the area, and a ball landed near the fence. I asked him for it. He turned around, and asked which person said please. It was me, so I told him, and he gave me the ball.

In my experience, it's a lot easier to get balls during BP if you're in fair territory, since you're right near the pitchers shagging fly balls, which is why I had luck in Boston and Arizona but not at Shea.

[johnql]

My one and only foul ball at Shea in 1000+ games was off Doug Mientkiewicz on May 16, 2005 (Reds, Paul Wilson pitching, 0-1 count, 9-2 final, Kris Benson WP). My season tickets back then were in Loge Box Section 10. The ball was hit behind me and caromed off the mural that was on the Mezzanine's facade. I stood up, turned around and the ball caught me. It struck me right in the chest and all I had to do was grab it as it hit me. A security guy ran over to make sure I was okay, which I was.

Compare that to my 75 or so games at Yankee Stadium, where I have caught 2 foul balls and, get this, BOTH at the same game. Back in either 1988 or 1989, I was sitting in a Tier Box right behind home plate and I actually got 2 foul balls - one I caught and one bounced and landed at my feet. I gave one to a kid sitting a couple rows in front of me who was celebrating a birthday and I gave the other ball to my friend's nephew (10 at the time), who was at the game with me. The foul balls were hit by Randy Velarde and Roberto Kelly.

[LINYUSA]

I have been a Mets and baseball fan since 1962, yet have never caught a ball (foul or otherwise) at any game or stadium.

Here is a true story about when I almost did at a Mets/Reds game in 1979. We had seats in the first row of the Mezzanine Box Seats directly behind Home Plate and directly above where Bob Murphy, Ralph Kiner and Steve Albert sat during television broadcasts. As you may recall, Lindsey Nelson left at the end of the 1978 season.

George Foster was at bat for the Reds and I remember my brother yelling "Don, watch out!" As best as I can remember from 30 years ago, I was in the process of sitting down (probably returning from the concession stand) and was not looking directly at the field. I was partiallly standing, moved my body towards the field and for about a second, saw a line drive foul ball coming right at me!

The best I could do was to raise one of my hands to protect me, but it was far too late. The ball hit me smack in the middle of my stomach and also caught the tip of one of my pinky fingers. The ball bounced off my stomach into the air, but because it was hit so hard, I had no chance at catching it on the rebound, as it fell down to The Lodge Level where someone had themselves a souvenir.

I was only wearing a T-Shirt - as the ball was hit back so hard, it actually left impressions of the ball's stiching on my then flat stomach and the tip of my pinky was red and swollen!

By the way, George Foster hit 30 HRs that year and batted .302 for The Reds - numbers that he never replicated when he signed as a Free Agent with The Mets in 1982.

:baseball: :homeplate:

[DiggerODell]

What's funny is that in all of my years at Shea I never ended up getting a ball... and then I got one on Opening Day at Citi Field.

Now is that something Dan? Or what. Makes you think. I've never had much luck either, some, but not alot.

[DiggerODell]

I have been a Mets and baseball fan since 1962, yet have never caught a ball (foul or otherwise) at any game or stadium.

Here is a true story about when I almost did at a Mets/Reds game in 1979. We had seats in the first row of the Mezzanine Box Seats directly behind Home Plate and directly above where Bob Murphy, Ralph Kiner and Steve Albert sat during television broadcasts. As you may recall, Lindsey Nelson left at the end of the 1978 season.

George Foster was at bat for the Reds and I remember my brother yelling "Don, watch out!" As best as I can remember from 30 years ago, I was in the process of sitting down (probably returning from the concession stand) and was not looking directly at the field. I was partiallly standing, moved my body towards the field and for about a second, saw a line drive foul ball coming right at me!

The best I could do was to raise one of my hands to protect me, but it was far too late. The ball hit me smack in the middle of my stomach and also caught the tip of one of my pinky fingers. The ball bounced off my stomach into the air, but because it was hit so hard, I had no chance at catching it on the rebound, as it fell down to The Lodge Level where someone had themselves a souvenir.

I was only wearing a T-Shirt - as the ball was hit back so hard, it actually left impressions of the ball's stiching on my then flat stomach and the tip of my pinky was red and swollen!

By the way, George Foster hit 30 HRs that year and batted .302 for The Reds - numbers that he never replicated when he signed as a Free Agent with The Mets in 1982.

:baseball: :homeplate:

This a great baseball story linyusa, as a fan. I love it.

[LINYUSA]

This a great baseball story linyusa, as a fan. I love it.

Thanks Digger. By the way, I really enjoy and appreciate your genuine contribution to Baseball Fever. We need more posters like you!

The story I posted is in my top 5 professional baseball memories. Number 1 being Keith's signature double to Left-Center in Game 7 while we sat high up in the Right Field Upper Deck! When Jesse struck out Marty Barrett, you could literally feel the Upper Deck shaking and swaying. Having lived in California, I thought it was an earthquake!

:baseball: :homeplate:

[DiggerODell]

Thanks Digger. By the way, I really enjoy and appreciate your genuine contribution to Baseball Fever. We need more posters like you!

The story I posted is in my top 5 professional baseball memories. Number 1 being Keith's signature double to Left-Center in Game 7 while we sat high up in the Right Field Upper Deck! When Jesse struck out Marty Barrett, you could literally feel the Upper Deck shaking and swaying. Having lived in California, I thought it was an earthquake!

:baseball: :homeplate:

Jez! Your worse than me (in a different and more postive way) over Dusty Baker pulling Russ for the 7th in game 6 in the '02 series. I lived nearly my first 20 years in California, never felt an earthquake . . . just some shakes that felt like bad washing machine (I got out while the gettin' was good). Now at old Mile High . . .in those old steel stands . . . I felt some earthquakes . . . know what you mean. Odd, how things had turned out different, we might feel similar over games 6's of a series, and Barrett might have been MVP? Odd how things turn out. For a particular reason? I think not.

[LINYUSA]

Now is that something Dan? Or what. Makes you think. I've never had much luck either, some, but not alot.

My one and only foul ball at Shea in 1000+ games was off Doug Mientkiewicz on May 16, 2005 (Reds, Paul Wilson pitching, 0-1 count, 9-2 final, Kris Benson WP). My season tickets back then were in Loge Box Section 10. The ball was hit behind me and caromed off the mural that was on the Mezzanine's facade. I stood up, turned around and the ball caught me. It struck me right in the chest and all I had to do was grab it as it hit me. A security guy ran over to make sure I was okay, which I was.

Compare that to my 75 or so games at Yankee Stadium, where I have caught 2 foul balls and, get this, BOTH at the same game. Back in either 1988 or 1989, I was sitting in a Tier Box right behind home plate and I actually got 2 foul balls - one I caught and one bounced and landed at my feet. I gave one to a kid sitting a couple rows in front of me who was celebrating a birthday and I gave the other ball to my friend's nephew (10 at the time), who was at the game with me. The foul balls were hit by Randy Velarde and Roberto Kelly.

John,

Kewl story about Randy Velarde and Roberto Kelly. By the way, do you have Randy's personal contact information as I believe we could use him to play Shortstop in Flushing!

:baseball: :homeplate:

[LINYUSA]

Jez! Your worse than me (in a different and more postive way) over Dusty Baker pulling Russ for the 7th in game 6 in the '02 series. I lived nearly my first 20 years in California, never felt an earthquake . . . just some shakes that felt like bad washing machine (I got out while the gettin' was good). Now at old Mile High . . .in those old steel stands . . . I felt some earthquakes . . . know what you mean. Odd, how things had turned out different, we might feel similar over games 6's of a series, and Barrett might have been MVP? Odd how things turn out. For a particular reason? I think not.

Digger,

I vividly remember that World Series and understand your disdain for Game 6 -I literally thought The Giants had it won, but alas, it was not meant to be.

Nevertheless, here are two endearing images from that World Series, compliments of J.T. Snow's alert instinct when he saved 3-year old Darren Baker. I have been blessed with 3 sons who all play baseball and will literally never forget this moment.

Crazy Moments In Postseason Baseball History:

http://www.ugo.com/sports/crazy-moments-in-baseball-postseason-history/?cur=JT-Snow-Saves-Darren-Baker

[DiggerODell]

Digger,

I vividly remember that World Series and understand your disdain for Game 6 -I literally thought The Giants had it won, but alas, it was not meant to be.

Nevertheless, here are two endearing images from that World Series, compliments of J.T. Snow's alert instinct when he saved 3-year old Darren Baker. I have been blessed with 3 sons who all play baseball and will literally never forget this moment.

Crazy Moments In Postseason Baseball History:

http://www.ugo.com/sports/crazy-moments-in-baseball-postseason-history/?cur=JT-Snow-Saves-Darren-Baker

Makes me smile (or causes my heart to sore like a hawk as ole Chief Dan George might say) like a retard each time I see it . . . even did that night. (and no flack from the bleeding hearts {that includes you Gary} about my lack of PCness . . . don't believe in it). Thanks for "that one aspect" of good memories from '02 linyusa.

[tugger]

Makes me smile (or causes my heart to sore like a hawk as ole Chief Dan George might say) like a retard each time I see it . . . even did that night. (and no flack from the bleeding hearts {that includes you Gary} about my lack of PCness . . . don't believe in it). Thanks for "that one aspect" of good memories from '02 linyusa.

Chief Dan George! I was talking to John Hammond Jr., who did the music for Little Big Man, and when I started quoting Old Lodge Skins, Hammond's face just lit up! Said George was a really great guy.

[DiggerODell]

Chief Dan George! I was talking to John Hammond Jr., who did the music for Little Big Man, and when I started quoting Old Lodge Skins, Hammond's face just lit up! Said George was a really great guy.

He could not help but be anything else it would seem to me. LBM was great but I think I still enjoyed him best in "Outlaw Josie Wells" (I've only watched that flick a half million times . . ha!)

In other related news . . . The San Francisco Giants lost the 2002 World Series. Must have been quite an honor to speak with Mr. Hammond though!

[MarthaT]

Still waiting on getting my first ball :happy:

[Anubis2051]

I've never got one either, hopefully some day though. What's the appropriate protocol for that? I've always assumed it was the first one is yours, but after that you have to give it to a kid.

[RuthMayBond]

I've never got one either, hopefully some day though. What's the appropriate protocol for that? I've always assumed it was the first one is yours, but after that you have to give it to a kid.I've never heard of a protocol except
1) Don't knock a kid over, and
2) If a player specifically points out a kid for the ball to go to, then you don't keep it

[burroughsmvp]

On vacation at Camden Yards last week and my family got four balls at the game against the Mariners.

My nine year old daughter got three. It pays to be a cute girl with a glove.

She could've had another but had an adult man push her out of the way over the dugout at the end of an inning to get the ball. The guy's friend laughed at how the guys would be on ESPN for pushing a little girl out of the way to get a ball.

[nymets3007]

Only been to Shea and Citi in my my life unfortunately, and due to my location (CT) you can never really time getting to the place for BP with an hour trip.

At Shea, I never got a single thing. I have never been in the bleachers, nor where the decks wrapped around, so fouls were my only hope. I sat in the Upper once, obviously, nothing close. In '07 and '08, I sat in the Field club and box, and the closest thing was a foul ball in my section, 15 rows or so back. And my final Shea experience (9-27-08) nothing really that close either.

Though, on my first trip (and only until 7/8) I got to my seats in the Pepsi Porch, Row 2, Seat 18. I moved my self up to the front, as I had noticed next to no one camping out on the Porch for BP shots. Myself, seeing next to nothing come in the the porch during the season so far, I figured It was all for nothing. But I quickly learned otherwise.

The third ball hit (by Adam LaRoche I believe) traveled wayyy deep into the seats and foul, same row, one section over. Very next, I had one coming right at me! I was nervous, excited, etc. at the same time. It was coming quick and decided that without a glove I'd be in a world of pain if I didn't move. So I quickly dashed for the next section over. What I would learn is that it never actually traveled into the stands! A man standing a few feet over reached a short distance to catch a ball that I could have asily caught, if I had known it had no chance at my face :ughh

To shorten this up, I ended up going up a few rows to get a good view and saw a ball coming into the porch. I ran down quick to see if I had a shot. It landed in an area a few rows behind one of the few others there for BP. It slammed of a seat and it was off rolling down the aisle! I was literally inches away from my hand grabbing it before it rolled down a row and, while hidden, made it's way to the same person who missed the ball earlier!

When I head back there in July, I may make my way up to the Porch (though I'm not sitting there) to try to catch one since it didn't seem like a destination for most trying to catch one! Perhaps not so much bad irony this time either :rolleyes:

[RuthMayBond]

On vacation at Camden Yards last week and my family got four balls at the game against the Mariners.

My nine year old daughter got three. It pays to be a cute girl with a glove.

She could've had another but had an adult man push her out of the way over the dugout at the end of an inning to get the ball. The guy's friend laughed at how the guys would be on ESPN for pushing a little girl out of the way to get a ball.It is NEVER right to push a little kid, but part of this does make me scratch my head. There's all this crap about how adults must give up any they catch to poor kids who never get any

[TheSmokinPun]

I haven't gotten a ball since I was about 12(19 now). Was sitting in the third base side at Kauffman when a foul ball came my way. I was moving towards it, and was right there beneath where it would fall when all of a sudden a man about 50 and about 300 pounds came charging to get it. I tried to step away to avoid him but he threw his arm out at me and pushed me head first into the corner of the chair right below me.

Landed right on my left eye, and I mean right on the eye. Wasn't able to see for about a hour, and gave me my biggest black eye in my life. Then about 6 months ago, I got diagnosed with kerataconus, which accelerated fast. The doc thinks the freak chair hit to the eye might have made it progress faster or even started it to begin with.

But I haven't learned, every time a popup seems to be coming my way, I'm all over it.

[SparkyL]

Only been to Shea and Citi in my my life unfortunately, and due to my location (CT) you can never really time getting to the place for BP with an hour trip.

At Shea, I never got a single thing. I have never been in the bleachers, nor where the decks wrapped around, so fouls were my only hope. I sat in the Upper once, obviously, nothing close. In '07 and '08, I sat in the Field club and box, and the closest thing was a foul ball in my section, 15 rows or so back. And my final Shea experience (9-27-08) nothing really that close either.

Though, on my first trip (and only until 7/8) I got to my seats in the Pepsi Porch, Row 2, Seat 18. I moved my self up to the front, as I had noticed next to no one camping out on the Porch for BP shots. Myself, seeing next to nothing come in the the porch during the season so far, I figured It was all for nothing. But I quickly learned otherwise.

The third ball hit (by Adam LaRoche I believe) traveled wayyy deep into the seats and foul, same row, one section over. Very next, I had one coming right at me! I was nervous, excited, etc. at the same time. It was coming quick and decided that without a glove I'd be in a world of pain if I didn't move. So I quickly dashed for the next section over. What I would learn is that it never actually traveled into the stands! A man standing a few feet over reached a short distance to catch a ball that I could have asily caught, if I had known it had no chance at my face :ughh

To shorten this up, I ended up going up a few rows to get a good view and saw a ball coming into the porch. I ran down quick to see if I had a shot. It landed in an area a few rows behind one of the few others there for BP. It slammed of a seat and it was off rolling down the aisle! I was literally inches away from my hand grabbing it before it rolled down a row and, while hidden, made it's way to the same person who missed the ball earlier!

When I head back there in July, I may make my way up to the Porch (though I'm not sitting there) to try to catch one since it didn't seem like a destination for most trying to catch one! Perhaps not so much bad irony this time either :rolleyes:

Was he trying to catch a ball that was still in play?

[nymets3007]

Was he trying to catch a ball that was still in play?

All of my story happened buring BP. There has been only 1 fair ball hit in the Porch so far @ Citi, though during BP, easy destination. :P

[RuthMayBond]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090817&content_id=6467198&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&partnerId=ed-2850718-55428157&source=ed-2850718-55428157 :bowdown:

[tiscipa165]

I have gotten seven during BP this year, six of them HRs. Teixeira in Camden, Cuddyer at Yankee Stadium, Jeter at Yankee Stadium (it landed in the bullpen and a security guard threw it up to me and I didn't even ask), Damon HR at US Cellular, Phil Coke threw me one at US Cellular and two last night, Beltran (taking rehab swings) and Adam LaRoche.

My wife has got three, one thrown by the TB bullpen catcher, one by Nick Swisher and an Eric Hinkse BP HR in Chicago.

If you show up when gates open and go to the outfield, you have a very good chance of going home with a baseball without really even trying.

[koufax]

It is NEVER right to push a little kid, but part of this does make me scratch my head. There's all this crap about how adults must give up any they catch to poor kids who never get any

in 03 I went to Camden Yards, with my eric karros jersey and a huge hand made sign, and EK came over and handed me a ball during IF practice.

no less than three fathers asked me to give the ball to their little brat and 2 of them cursed me out for not doing so. wtf is wrong with people. any other situation MAYBE, but a ball handed to you by your fav player? go to hell, that is PRICELESS

[RuthMayBond]

My wife has got three, one thrown by the TB bullpen catcher, one by Nick Swisher and an Eric Hinkse BP HR in Chicago.
Dang, your wife ROCKS! :baseball::baseball::baseball::party:

[AKMETS12]

blogs like these ( http://mlbpro12.mlblogs.com/ ) can help organize your records!!

[li7039]

ive gotten 5. 1 from derreck bell,1 from a mets guard, 1 from Luiz Gonelez , and 2 BP hrs at citi

[burroughsmvp]

You gotta love the smile on your kids face when they get a ball at an MLB game.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3841141310_5ddcc26577.jpg

[mets16]

blogs like these ( http://mlbpro12.mlblogs.com/ ) can help organize your records!!

I don't get it. It is a baseball. At the end of the day, I can show any old ball and come up with a story. I can't stand people like that guy Zack Hample who puts on a different hat for a baseball. Grow up, seriously. If I were a pro, I would never give a ball or sign an autograph for anyone over 13. Baseball is for kids, not sweaty old men looking to bolster their collection to show off to their buddies.

[li7039]

now that im older ( 17 ) i just hang out in the outfield and try to catch bp homers. I dont like asking for balls

[Gary Dunaier]

no less than three fathers asked me to give the ball to their little brat and 2 of them cursed me out for not doing so. wtf is wrong with people. any other situation MAYBE, but a ball handed to you by your fav player? go to hell, that is PRICELESS

:thumbsup:

Regardless of how you got the ball, what kind of warped sense of entitlement do these fathers have that tells them it's okay to go up to a stranger and ask if they could have the ball for their kid? That's not right.

If I were a pro, I would never give a ball or sign an autograph for anyone over 13. Baseball is for kids, not sweaty old men looking to bolster their collection to show off to their buddies.

So the minute a kid turns 14, they're suddenly supposed to lose interest in autographs and getting balls at games?

I don't buy into this "baseball is for kids" mindset. Baseball is for EVERYBODY regardless of age. And in my case, I wasn't a big fan of baseball as a kid - one game a year was enough for me, and even then I was more interested in the view from Shea Stadium's upper deck and the lights on the scoreboard than I was in what was happening on the field. I wouldn't have appreciated the significance of a ball or an autograph from a player. In fact, I didn't develop a serious interest in baseball until I was in my 20s.

There are adults who would treasure a foul ball or an autograph just as much - or even more - than a kid.

[RuthMayBond]

If I were a pro, I would never give a ball or sign an autograph for anyone over 13.I'm impressed that you know if a kid is over 13 just by looking at them.
Who do you think pays for the 13 and under kids to come to games to pay for your hypothetical salary, probably someone over 13?

[Lpeters199]

............

[patriot174]

Only ball I've ever gotten at a ballgame was getting a ball tossed to me by Bobby Ramos, the Rays bullpen coach, while sitting in the left field bleachers at RYS in 2007.

Closest I got to catching a game-used ball was at a BOS-NYY game that same year. Ortiz fouled a ball right to where I was sitting at in the upper deck, but, right before the ball dropped to the section (had no glove that day, BTW), someone in the row behind me decided to smack me so that I drop it and, maybe, he can catch it on the bounce. I got really ticked off, but held back from retaliating...no point in getting kicked out of the middle of a game for some moron's actions. Ball ended up with a kid sitting in the first row of the section I was sitting at.

[li7039]

tomorrow the phillies should litter the pepsi porch with HRs during BP so im going to hang out there

[aqib]

I don't get it. It is a baseball. At the end of the day, I can show any old ball and come up with a story. I can't stand people like that guy Zack Hample who puts on a different hat for a baseball. Grow up, seriously. If I were a pro, I would never give a ball or sign an autograph for anyone over 13. Baseball is for kids, not sweaty old men looking to bolster their collection to show off to their buddies.

Dude its not Sesame Street. Baseball is for all of us and yes a lot of us do enjoy collecting stuff because we have great memories at ball parks. Its no different then a shirt when you visit another country.

[Matito]

I've only gotten one ball, and that was when I was 9 years old. Just before school started that year, my dad took a day off work and we went to an afternoon game at Tropicana Field. We sat behind the Devil Rays bullpen, back when the pens were located in the outfield and not in foul territory. Just before the game started, the Devil Rays' starting pitcher, Tony Saunders, was finishing warming up and he tossed the ball to me before taking the field.

[BigOneBitey]

Zack Hample is a tremendous douchebag. The fact that he's obsessed with getting baseballs is only part of it.

[Lpeters199]

Nice looks at some Mark McGwire shots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNWlYDEotN4

[RuthMayBond]

Yeah, it is minor league, but last night I caught Eastern League MVP Carlos Santana's Championship Series game-tying home run in the third on the fly, and I had him sign it after the game.

[tiscipa165]

Zack Hample struck again last night. I think it was him who got Cano's grand slam.

[li7039]

Met hample on the 26th i believe. I caught 3 balls that night in BP. He is a nice guy, plus for everyball he catches a baseball charity gets 25 dollars or so from his little promotion that he is running for pitch in for baseball.

[RuthMayBond]

Two more, in my first trip to Busch, last Friday night

[RangerRed]

I have been going to games for 19 years now, and I've never caught a ball. Anywhere. Any way.

Been too slow....

[Lpeters199]

Not a baseball, but what a catch!

[RuthMayBond]

Not a baseball, but what a catch!
I gotta git me some o dat