Ball hogs

[gsn309]

So last night I went to the Braves game (a rare, blowout win for them) and got to sit in the row directly behind the dugout, thanks to a friend who does some work for the ticket holder.
At that location, players will toss balls into the stands at the end of innings, thoughout the game. 2 seats over from us was a guy and his daughter.. she looked to be about 10 (pudgy and dour, she reminded me of the kid in Little Miss Sunshine).
Well anyway, they got 1 ball.
Then they grabbed another ball.
Then they grabbed a THIRD ball.
They would have had 2 or 3 more, if not for some taller boys with gloves who ran down and snatched them away.


A guy sitting in the row behind us said something to the father, but he was utterly oblivious (he thought she was lukcy to get so many!). My friend said she saw the girl give a ball to a boy-- so brief reprieve. But when we left (and we stayed til the last out, but they hung around obvioulsy hoping for more) I peeked down in their bag and saw at least 4 baseballs in there. So they had snagged at least 5 throughout the pre-game and game.

It was disgraceful.
I don't have a child, but if I did, I would never raise her or him that way.
I guess it says a lot about the state of parenting that the father seemed to think it was all a cool thing.

Oh and yeah I am a 40-something MAWG who never caught a foul ball! (but that's beside the point, I think!)

[littlebeast13]

My only question here is how did this one spot apparently become such a ball magnet? That just doesn't happen during a game, unless you are talking about the players or base coaches tossing balls into the stands.

My aunt's lawyer had seats in the first row down the left field line at the old Busch in the section that juts out towards the field. I got to sit in those seats for 5 or 6 games, and despite it being prime foul ball territory, I got exactly 2 shots at foul balls in all the games I sat there (I am not counting fair balls in play that came at me).

For most people, corralling a game ball is a once in a lifetime experience (I have one, a homerun, and have successfully dropped two others in 20 years of going to ballgames). If I were to get two hit at me in the same game, I wouldn't hesitate to keep them both, because it could very well be the last time I ever get the chance....

That being said though, it wouldn't surprise me if the father and daughter you refer to aren't season ticket holders, and probably have a stash of game souvenirs at home that would put my batting practice collection to shame....

lb13

[gsn309]

My only question here is how did this one spot apparently become such a ball magnet? That just doesn't happen during a game, unless you are talking about the players or base coaches tossing balls into the stands.

My aunt's lawyer had seats in the first row down the left field line at the old Busch in the section that juts out towards the field. I got to sit in those seats for 5 or 6 games, and despite it being prime foul ball territory, I got exactly 2 shots at foul balls in all the games I sat there (I am not counting fair balls in play that came at me).

For most people, corralling a game ball is a once in a lifetime experience (I have one, a homerun, and have successfully dropped two others in 20 years of going to ballgames). If I were to get two hit at me in the same game, I wouldn't hesitate to keep them both, because it could very well be the last time I ever get the chance....

That being said though, it wouldn't surprise me if the father and daughter you refer to aren't season ticket holders, and probably have a stash of game souvenirs at home that would put my batting practice collection to shame....

lb13

No, they were all tossed by the players or first-base coach (I guess I wasn't clear enough about that). No foul balls landed near us -- although on the 3rd base side a foul ball nailed a woman in the head and she was removed on a stretcher!

Probably most people sitting in those seats are not the actual ticket holder.. but common manners would dictate one ball is enough.

[silvercamaro]

For so many balls to be tossed directly to the little girl and her father, there must have been a reason. It seems unlikely that could have been accidental.

Perhaps she was a Make-A-Wish child, and what you interpreted as "pudgy and dour" is the result of medication given for a terminal disease.

[gsn309]

For so many balls to be tossed directly to the little girl and her father, there must have been a reason. It seems unlikely that could have been accidental.

Perhaps she was a Make-A-Wish child, and what you interpreted as "pudgy and dour" is the result of medication given for a terminal disease.

No, you are absolutely wrong.
The dugout roof is raised.. the players toss balls up above it-- and different players at that, so they wouldn't be keeping track of who's catching them. Any time they see a kid waving their arms they will toss the ball in that general direction. Because this kid was at an aisle seat, even more so -- since the other kids were running down there with their gloves.

You have a weird imagination, btw.

[silvercamaro]

You have a weird imagination, btw.

Thank you, I'm sure.

[AlphaDummy]

Oh and yeah I am a 40-something MAWG who never caught a foul ball! (but that's beside the point, I think!)

My one-and-only close call came during one of my two visits to Wrigley. We had prime seats (behind home plate, one row over and one back from the players' wives). A ball bounced off the facade in foul territory and careened toward us. My only chance was to catch the ball as it bounced back up off the floor. I got a hand on it - yesnodamn!! - and it dropped straight down. Without looking, my hand shot downward and I felt the ball, right where I figured it would be. Unfortunately, there was another hand belonging to a teenaged girl which covered most of the ball. I didn't fight - the girl beat me to it fair and square. But I did keep my hand on the ball for about two seconds longer than I could have. Baseball fans will understand.

Fans will also understand why I was so glum riding on the El back to our car after the game - in spite of a win for the home team on a beautiful day. And why, for several days, I was haunted by the mental image of two giggling teenagers...

[Estonut]

I should know better than to respond to this, but here goes:

At every game I've attended, they make an announcement inviting fans to keep any ball hit or thrown into the stands. There is no limit. I've never heard them designate a "Ball Monitor" for the night.

From your posts, it sounds like she just sat/stood there and collected them. You make no mention of her running after them, elbowing and biting her way to get another one. I'd be more upset with the "taller boys with gloves who ran down and snatched them away" than I would be with her.

when we left ... I peeked down in their bag and saw at least 4 baseballs in there

And you called their behavior "disgraceful!"

I don't have a child, but if I did, I would never raise her or him that way.

How rotten to raise a girl thinking she can claim what's rightfully hers!

Oh and yeah I am a 40-something MAWG who never caught a foul ball! (but that's beside the point, I think!)

Actually it sounds like that's most of your "point."

Then, when SC tries to show you that there may be more to this than you had observed, you completely dismiss her:

No, you are absolutely wrong.

Yet your justification for that:

The dugout roof is raised.. the players toss balls up above it-- and different players at that, so they wouldn't be keeping track of who's catching them. Any time they see a kid waving their arms they will toss the ball in that general direction.

is contradictory. The roof either obscures the crowd from the players on the field or they see a kid waving their arms. You can't have both. What's the point of having seats behind the dugout if there's a roof there, obstructing the view?

Further, do you really believe a professional player or coach could not toss a ball directly at the seat on the aisle in the first row, even if their view were obstructed?

Perhaps they were aiming a few seats over, thinking the owner of the seats you were occupying was in attendance.


Then, you go on to insult SC, when she was only trying to bring you light:

You have a weird imagination, btw.

It's not that weird, as I was thinking it, too. I'd bet you we weren't the only two, either.

Methinks that Little Miss Sunshine was not the most dour person at the game.

[silvercamaro]

Esto, have I told you lately that you're my favorite Estonian -- cowboy or otherwise?

[Estonut]

Not lately.

[ulysses5019]

But I did keep my hand on the ball for about two seconds longer than I could have.

Hmmmmm. Where's that certain Derek Jeter avatar?

Here perhaps?

http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/Arod%2 ... 20grab.jpg

[Estonut]

Nope. That's ARod grabbing a rod.

[gsn309]

I should know better than to respond to this, but here goes:

At every game I've attended, they make an announcement inviting fans to keep any ball hit or thrown into the stands. There is no limit. I've never heard them designate a "Ball Monitor" for the night.

From your posts, it sounds like she just sat/stood there and collected them. You make no mention of her running after them, elbowing and biting her way to get another one. I'd be more upset with the "taller boys with gloves who ran down and snatched them away" than I would be with her.

when we left ... I peeked down in their bag and saw at least 4 baseballs in there

And you called their behavior "disgraceful!"

I don't have a child, but if I did, I would never raise her or him that way.

How rotten to raise a girl thinking she can claim what's rightfully hers!

Oh and yeah I am a 40-something MAWG who never caught a foul ball! (but that's beside the point, I think!)

Actually it sounds like that's most of your "point."

Then, when SC tries to show you that there may be more to this than you had observed, you completely dismiss her:

No, you are absolutely wrong.

Yet your justification for that:

The dugout roof is raised.. the players toss balls up above it-- and different players at that, so they wouldn't be keeping track of who's catching them. Any time they see a kid waving their arms they will toss the ball in that general direction.

is contradictory. The roof either obscures the crowd from the players on the field or they see a kid waving their arms. You can't have both. What's the point of having seats behind the dugout if there's a roof there, obstructing the view?

Further, do you really believe a professional player or coach could not toss a ball directly at the seat on the aisle in the first row, even if their view were obstructed?

Perhaps they were aiming a few seats over, thinking the owner of the seats you were occupying was in attendance.


Then, you go on to insult SC, when she was only trying to bring you light:

You have a weird imagination, btw.

It's not that weird, as I was thinking it, too. I'd bet you we weren't the only two, either.

Methinks that Little Miss Sunshine was not the most dour person at the game.

Holy cow.
You know I remember once when BDM read one of Ghost's posts and said the insides of his eyeballs were bleeding. That about sums yours' up.

It's not even worth trying to explain --- again --- the exact dynamics of it. If you have ever sat in a similar-type seat, you'd know.

They were wrong. It was disgraceful behavior and parenting -- and no amount of supposition on your part can change that, nor the opinions of the entire section of people who watched them hog the balls throughout the game, including my friend who got the tickets in the first place.

As for "insulting" Silvercamaro.... uh.. you can call it what you want, but somestimes snark begets more snark.
I think her response may have something to do with my post in the gymanstics thread -- but, in all seriousness, I was being as respectful as possible then. I don't employ passive-aggressive to criticize on the bored (well maybe a few of my MerryMen did years ago....), as was done here.

[SportsFan68]

For so many balls to be tossed directly to the little girl and her father, there must have been a reason. It seems unlikely that could have been accidental.

Perhaps she was a Make-A-Wish child, and what you interpreted as "pudgy and dour" is the result of medication given for a terminal disease.

No, you are absolutely wrong.
The dugout roof is raised.. the players toss balls up above it-- and different players at that, so they wouldn't be keeping track of who's catching them. Any time they see a kid waving their arms they will toss the ball in that general direction. Because this kid was at an aisle seat, even more so -- since the other kids were running down there with their gloves.

You have a weird imagination, btw.

Call it whatever you want, saying "you are absolutely wrong" and "you have a weird imagination" in the current context is an insult. Then AFTER SC gave those folks the benefit of the doubt based only on the observations you had posted but contrary to your conclusions, you come up with more details to support your position. Call THAT what you want, it's passive agressive behavior.

[Estonut]

They were wrong. It was disgraceful behavior and parenting -- and no amount of supposition on your part can change that, nor the opinions of the entire section of people who watched them hog the balls throughout the game, including my friend who got the tickets in the first place.

So after you invaded their privacy by snooping in their bag, you polled the entire section for their opinions?

You do not know anything about this girl or the man who brought her there. You complain about his parenting, despite not knowing whether or not he was even her parent.

You know nothing about her relationship to the team, if there is one, and no amount of supposition on your part can change that. They did not walk in off the street and buy those tickets. They know someone. You do not know who nor how. As SC tried (non-snarkily, I might add) to point out, there is a reason the balls were thrown to her. Perhaps the players know that she brings game balls to kids who are sick and can't leave the hospital. You just don't know.

The fact that you were lucky enough to get front row seats to a ballgame and chose to count, and then stew about, how many balls were thrown to some kid rather than enjoying the game says much more about your parents than hers.

[silvercamaro]

As for "insulting" Silvercamaro.... uh.. you can call it what you want, but somestimes snark begets more snark.
I think her response may have something to do with my post in the gymanstics thread -- but, in all seriousness, I was being as respectful as possible then. I don't employ passive-aggressive to criticize on the bored (well maybe a few of my MerryMen did years ago....), as was done here.

Actually, I don't remember what you said in the gymnastics thread. In fact, I don't remember your responding in the gymnastics thread (although I probably read the whole thing, but did not necessarily attribute names to each individual thought.) In the particular case you described from the ballpark, I was searching for and suggested a possible type of scenario that would permit me (and anyone else who cared) to consider a more benign reason for the father and daughter's behavior than outrageous inconsideration and selfishness. That may have their exact motivation, as you have assured us. It may not have been. That's all. I've simply noticed that sometimes some people (present company excepted, of course) draw conclusions that are not supported by an incomplete set of known facts.

As far as snark goes.... The people who know me best know that I would not waste a perfectly good witty and/or debilitating rejoinder on (a) anybody who couldn't take it; (b) anybody who wouldn't take it for a "pointy stick" delivered with affection; or (c) anybody who didn't seem worth the time spent typing.

Now I will go back and look at the gymnastics thread. If I didn't respond in that thread the first time, I think you're still safe.

[gsn309]

LOLOL!
I am not going to post anymore in this thread-- but you two, Sprots and Estonut, both made me laugh.. I still am!!

Sprots, read your words very carefully! Are you sure you mean what you say?
Estonut, you're just plain funny!

ok and I will add -- since SC and I were posting at the same time -- that I accept her explanation for her post, and apologize that I presumed otherwise!

Y'all gonna have to trust me on this one though (except Esto!)

[SportsFan68]

LOLOL!

I made GSN309 laugh!

I am not going to post anymore in this thread

Whew!

-- but you two, Sprots and Estonut, both made me laugh.. I still am!!

Translation: You guys are right, and I'm wrong.

Sprots, read your words very carefully! Are you sure you mean what you say?

The March Hare: "You should say what you mean."
Alice: "I do. At least I mean what I say--that's the same thing, you know."
The Mad Hatter: "Not the same thing a bit! Why, you might as well say that, `I see what I eat,' is the same thing as `I eat what I see.'"

Estonut, you're just plain funny!

Estonut made GSN309 laugh!

[Estonut]

I accept her explanation for her post, and apologize that I presumed otherwise!

If you're going to apologize for being presumptuous, don't stop there!

[kayrharris]

There's a lesson in here somewhere. I hope I learned it.

[Estonut]

There's a lesson in here somewhere. I hope I learned it.

gsn309 wasn't precise. It's either "only one ball per kid," "one ball per family" or "one ball per level." Since field level gets such a disproportionate number of balls, I'm sure they are supposed to be throwing them to the upper levels.

[kayrharris]

I've been to several WWTBAM tapings over the years and I've never caught one of those shirts the warm up guy throws out either.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

I've been to several WWTBAM tapings over the years and I've never caught one of those shirts the warm up guy throws out either.

If you want one, I'll share.

[kayrharris]

Why you...you shirt hog you!! I'm kidding!!!!!

You mean you really have more than one?

[SportsFan68]

Why you...you shirt hog you!! I'm kidding!!!!!

You mean you really have more than one?

Everybody got one at the taping I went to. The comedian tossed them out at first, then some other helpers passed them around deliberately to the folkses who dint get one. I thought that was very nice.