5 Easy Tips to Help You Snag a Free Baseball at a Game
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 more than 12,000 baseballs at different Major League stadiums across North America. Here are his top five tips for getting one:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
For more tips, check out Hample’s website at www.zackhample.com.
I caught one right behind home plate .Ops almost forgot to say GO CARDNALS
yes go cards!
Rangers are the best
GO ‘STROS!!!!!!
I almost cought 5 baseballs in Rogers Center (Blue Jays) but we dropped them because we were in right field. Don’t go on a day they are vs. the White Sox the fan yell Rios a lot.
GO WHITE SOX
I caught a ball once, mostly out of pure luck. i am going to try these tips next time though
True that. I haven’t en en gotten one ball in yankee stadium!
My son got a ball from dodgers stadium from Steve Cishek (a Miami Marlins player). They were practicing and my husband asked him for a ball since it was my sons first game. He handed one to us but first, he asked us to mess with him team player by screaming “Crying Wabby”. It was all in fun. My son getting a ball at his first game will always be something I remember.
It helps if you know the player you want to get an autograph from. My Uncle played Baseball with Randy Win in High School so he gave us autographs. He would not sign for anyone else, though. It really helps if you have connections.
Go Pawtucket Red Sox
LETS GO METS
I live in Atlanta and caught 10 baseballs