How to snag a baseball
By Valerie Van KootenFrom the June 2006 issue of Boys' Life magazine
How often have you gone to a baseball game hoping to catch a ball that goes into the stands? It’s not as hard as it seems, says Zack Hample, author of “How to Snag Major League Baseballs.”
Hample has snagged almost 3,000 baseballs at 40 different Major League stadiums across North America. Here are his top five tips for getting one:
Arrive early
Teams warm up one to two hours before the game, so be the first person in the gate. You’ll have fewer people to compete with for foul or home-run balls, and you’ll occasionally find balls already lying in the seats when you arrive.
Sit on the aisle
You’ll need to move around to increase your chances. “Don’t get trapped in the middle of a long row. You need to be able to jump up and move,” Hample says.
Play the percentages
Check out the rosters ahead of time, so you know how many right- and left-handed batters there will be. Most right-handed batters will hit foul balls to the first-base side; left-handed batters, to the third-base side. Pick a seat in the stadium accordingly.
Ask politely
When teams are warming up, they’ll often throw balls to their fans in the stands. “And players love to throw balls to kids,” Hample says.
Buy a hat for each team that’s playing
Players on the road love to spot their fans, and will often reward them by throwing them a ball. Change your hat according to who’s in the field.
WHERE TO SNAG A BASEBALL
Best: Turner Field in Atlanta, Ga. “There’s a gap between the outfield wall and the outfield stands,” Hample says. “You can snag a lot of balls that fall in the gap. Since they’re out of reach, you’ll need a special ball-snagging device tied to a string.
Worst: Yankee Stadium in New York City. “It’s the most crowded stadium in baseball, and security is strict — you can’t get down to the dugouts before the game like you can in most ballparks.”
For more tips, check out Hample’s Web site at www.zackhample.com.
I’m gonna try it when I am able to go to another game.
qwerty like
Thanks for the tipp, I hope it comes in handy when I go to the astros game tomorrow.
the only time i’ve got a base ball at a mojors game was at a world series game I went to when i was younger and it seeems like the B.ball players are not givving as many b. balls as they use to. Alot of base ball addicts should read your tips. thanks again.
That Is Awesome Thanks For The Tip To Fellow Cub Scouts
Awsome I`ve always wanted to get a major or even minor league baseball
where do they get all those baseballs anyway?
I have been to many Major League, AA, and AAA games but I NEVER caught a ball.
thanx 4 da tips ill try them if i get 2 go 2 game 2nite
Thanks for the tips. I have caught 2 balls from the redsox.
I read his blog and he said Kauffman stadium is good and I am going to go there this summer. Thanks for the tips. I hope I can get an Ichiro Suzuki ball because they are visiting the royals that day.
next time i go to a kc royals game i will try these
ONE DAY I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A REAL BASEBALL FIELD IN AMERICA JUST SO I HAD THE CHANCE TO USE YOUR VERY USEFUL TIPS.(MAY COME IN HANDY ONE DAY) YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.