Have you ever got a ball at a game before?

[Jcfowler6]

Originally Posted by steve B

Wow, 3 at one game! sounds like a great day at the ballpark.

My only one is minor league and a bit odd/embarassing. Long foul to right, where I was at a concession stand that I picked for the short line. I heard the crowd, turned around to see the play and the ball was coming right towards me. Of course, I have my hands full with a tray of food and drinks. Ball deflects off the hand of the guy just leaving in front of me hits my stomach and lands in the tray. Not the smoothest "catch", but I'll take it.

Steve B

I'd take it how ever it comes. No points for style.

[freakhappy]

3 balls! That is awesome! I bet your son was super pumped about grabbing three of those suckers. Was it during the game or during batting practice?

My only experience coming close to grabbing a foul ball was when I was in Detroit three years ago watching the Tigers and the A's play and Sean Casey hit one up in our section and the ball was literally coming straight down at me and when it was spiraling down, it started to tail over a bit and I had a decision to make...do I jump over for it (because I knew a family of three were next to me) or just let it go and not make a fool of myself? Well, I let it go and let the youngster catch it and he was excited and I was okay with letting it go...but man, it would have been nice to have one. One day I'll stick my hand out and snatch it...youngster or not

Mike

[Bilko G]

That's very cool, congrats to you and your son!!!


Ive never caught a ball at an MLB game but when the Pacific Coast League was in Calgary, Alberta back in the 80's and 90s, we were the AAA team of the Seattle Mariners and as a kid, in the age range of 10-15 years old, me and my friends would often wait (probably 30 or 40 times a year or more, lol) in the HR territory at these AAA games with our Baseball gloves to catch the HRs and some foul balls that would come into the field beyond the stadium.

The best HR balls i remember getting were from Danny Tartabull, Tino Martinez and Alex Rodriguez. All players that played their AAA ball in Calgary and i still own those balls to this day (they are somewhere around here, lol). I even got the Tino Martinez ball autographed.

[Jcfowler6]

Originally Posted by Bilko G

That's very cool, congrats to you and your son!!!


Ive never caught a ball at an MLB game but when the Pacific Coast League was in Calgary, Alberta back in the 80's and 90s, we were the AAA team of the Seattle Mariners and as a kid, in the age range of 10-15 years old, me and my friends would often wait (probably 30 or 40 times a year) in the HR territory at theses AAA games with our Baseball gloves to catch the HRs and some foul balls that would come into the field beyond the stadium.

The best HR balls i remember getting were from Danny Tartabull, Tino Martinez and Alex Rodriguez. All players that played their AAA ball in Calgary and i still own those balls to this day (they are somewhere are here, lol). I even got the Tino Martinez ball autographed.

Those are some cool memories there. Good stuff.

[camlov2]

The closest I ever came was a bruise on my calf where you could see the stitches on the ball. At least I got to carry them around for the next few days.

[wheels56]

30 years of going to AAA games (Denver Bears) and various major league games and no luck. Then, last year in 6 Giants games before the post season, managed to snag 2. One was in interleague vs the Red Sox. The guy next to my wife and kids booted it and it deflected right to me. The second was a sharp line drive hit by Pablo Sandoval. Caught it on the fly about a foot from my 4 year old.

Both balls promptly handed over to my 9 year old. Great memories!

[bh3443]

The year was 1978 and I just got my drivers license so my friends and I went to over 40 games that year at Fenway.
I liked to park behind the green monster up on the hill at this parking lot. I had a new Ford Thunderbird and these guys took good care of it while we were at the game. On Opening Day, I parked the car and we headed to the stadium when a ball came soaring over the green monster's net bounced on the street and literally two feet to my left! I caught it on the second bounce. We laughed at our good fortune and headed to watch the game.
The second time was a dramatic event also in 1978. While sitting near the Pesky pole we were watching batting practice when Yaz hit a high fly ball that would have been a foul ball that was falling from the sky right at my head! I reached up with both hands and caught the ball. The force was so great and my balance was off, so I fell over the seat behind me and proudly raised the ball in my left hand as I had not dropped it. The applause was embarrassing. My hands were red for a week!
BTW, back in the day one should never taught Dock Ellis! In a game when he was with Texas he was running towards the bullpen when someone near us swore at him. Dock went nuts and almost came over the fence into the stands but was restrained by his team-mates ( may have been Burroughs and Harrah).
Those we're the days in the late 70's! I can still taste the beer and smell the reefer that was such a sweet smelling cloud over friendly Fenway.

[jp1216]

My 5-year-old son and I went to the Indians/Red Sox last month. Our first father-son only game. He got about 6 autographs before the game on a ball we brought from home. In the 3rd inning, a roller to the 3rd base coach was picked up. He turned to the crowd and pointed right to me - and tossed me the ball. He must have seen my son earlier. Needless to say, I made a great one handed grab and gave it to my son. My first and his first.

Funny part is that he enjoys the foul ball more than the autograph ball. He put the foul ball up on his shelf (in a holder) and leaves the auto ball on the ground...

[btcarfagno]

I took my family to a game at Shea where the Mets were playing my neloved Pirates. My kids had made a sign cheering on the Pirates, and we moved down close to the field as they were warming up. A couple of the players signed the sign, then one of them asked us to wait where we were. He cane back with a ball from the bullpen and talked with my kids for a couple of minutes. He is still, I think, the Pirates bullpen catcher Heberto Andrade. Great moment.

Tom C

[Robextend]

Caught a high foul ball off the bat of Prince Fielder at a Met game a few years ago at Shea Stadium.

[mrmopar]

A few balls during BP at the Kingdome. Nothing during a game.

My favorite memory was a buddy of mine getting a fairly clean ball from someone in BP. Dave Winfield was sitting along the 1st base line and nobody was around him at all, yet my friend had no interest in trying for the autograph.

I took the ball over, asked and Winfield signed it. Of course, then I had to trade to get the ball. Still have it today.

[forazzurri2axz]

went to see our Braves who had already clinched the division when we were in SF...I believe it was Glavine who hit a line drive foul between third and home, smacks into the concrete steps,flies into the air with the backspin a few rows, and as it was about to land in the glove of the woman behind me, I stuck up my left hand....and nailed it...would have stung like hell if I dropped it I'm sure but didn't feel a thing!!! gave it to my 8 yr old son--

[mets41]

I've been going to baseball games since 1959. My 1st came in 2000 (or 2001) and the 2nd came the following yoar both at Veterans Stadium, Philly.

[71buc]

I had been going to games since 1969 without ever coming close to one. Then in 1999 I took my 8 year old son to Arizona for Spring Training. The first day we were at Tempe Diablo watching the Angels when Tim Salmon came to bat. My son loved Salmon and he asked me to catch a foul ball for him. I laughed and told him that it was not that easy. Apparently I was wrong. On the next pitch Salmon hit a high foul ball. I was both shocked and terrified when I realized that it was coming my way. I prayed I wouldn't drop it and shame myself in front of my son. It hit my hand with a sickening thud and bounced. I lunged at it in desperation before it could hit the ground. I stumbled down two stairs and fell to my knees but thankfully managed to save it. My son seemingly unimpressed by my athleticism calmly took the ball from me. He informed me that he needed to get it signed by Salmon. We waited after the game for 30 minutes with no luck. Just as I was explaining to my son that we beat the odds to even catch a ball and that he shouldn't be too disappointed Tim Salmon emerged from the tunnel. My son acting as if this happened everyday handed Salmon the ball and asked him to please sign it for him. Salmon obliged him. Then much to my embarrassment he asked Salmon if he saw my amazing catch. Salmon smiled and said that in fact he had and was very impressed. He asked me where I played organized ball and feigned shock when I told him I hadn't. He then shook our hands jogged away. My son was elated. He spent that evening at the hotel pool bragging about me to anyone who would listen. My boy is now 21 and still tells the story of my heroic diving catch. Over the years "the catch" has taken on Paul Bunyonesque proportions. It was a moment neither of us will ever forget. I will be forever grateful to Mr. Salmon for the kindness he showed to us. If there was a hall of fame for gentleman he gained my vote that day. We have never even come close to another ball since then. I hope that we never do as it could only serve to diminish our magical day at Tempe Diablo.

[leftygrove10]

I've gotten two foul balls at Major League games. The first one was at a Nationals game in DC. The second was at Wrigley Field last summer. THAT WAS SUCH A RUSH!!! WOW! I was going to post pictures of that ball, but I can't find it at the moment. I wrote the date and info about the game on the ball so I would know where it came from. My son and I have gotten several other balls at major league and minor league games. They weren't foul balls, but were given to us by players, stadium employees or got them during batting practice.

One of my favor tricks at a minor league game is this.... Sit somewhere behind the dugout, preferably on an aisle where you can get out of your seat easily. Figure out the first baseman's first name for the team that sits in that dugout. Many innings end with a grounder and throw out at first base. Thus, the first baseman ends up carrying the ball into the dugout. As you see the last grounder of the inning happening, get out of your seat if you can (or simply stand up in your seat if you can't get out). After the first baseman catches the ball for the put out at first base and runs to the dugout, stand up and yell his first name "Chris! Give me the call! Chris... Chris... Give me the ball!" Many times they will just toss it to you.... It has worked several times for me.....

Also... go to batting practice at Major League games... Take a young kid with you..... Put a baseball hat on them and give them a glove... Position him/her along the wall in right or left field.... Many times, the players or stadium workers will give them a ball.... I have even seen batting coaches or pitching coaches borrow their glove to play the outfield during batting practice.... Then when they hand the glove back, they make sure there is a ball inside.....

[Jcfowler6]

Yeah it was BP. Jeff Karstens threw one to my son. I caught a line drive one hopper. Then another Pirate player was running by and he just flipped one up to my 10 year old as he was passing by. I can't for the life of me think of who he was.

Then Jeff Karstens and Joel Hanrahan came over later and autographed a souvenir ball my boy had. It was a very cool night.

They had Huey Lewis and the News playing after the game with fireworks mixed in. Definitely a special night. My son fell asleep holding onto one of the balls.

He had his closes for this game picked out and neatly folded on his dresser for two weeks.

Priceless night...