6/26/09 @ Miller Park
The San Francisco Giants were in town for a weekend series.
I took one look at the Giants statistics sheet (paying special attention to home runs hit) and thought about playing the 200 level (behind home plate) for foul balls.
I did not have a ticket in my regular bleachers section for this game.
Yovani Gallardo was starting for the Brewers. Matt Cain was starting for the Giants.
On paper, the chances were good for foul balls.
I decided that is what I would do. But, first things first…BP!
My 1st BALL of the day came via toss-up from Brewers recent call-up, CHRIS NARVESON.
BALL #2 was caught on the fly off the bat of Brewers 3B BILL HALL. When I made the catch, I was standing on the left field outdoor patio of Friday’s Front Row.
BALL #3 was snagged on the bounce off the bat of MAT GAMEL.
The Brewers portion of BP was now over. I walked back down to the lower patio of Friday’s Restaurant and peered into the “moat.”
Here’s what I saw…
When I reeled it up, I immediately gave it to a nice young lad who was attending the game with his grandparents.
The Giants were now on the field.
I was not optimistic regarding their home run hitting prowess. After all, the S.F. Giants are one of the lighter hitting teams around.
In the 1st group of hitters was the best offensive star the Giants have…AARON ROWAND. Aaron hit one that I snagged on the bounce-BALL #5.
I wasn’t feeling it where I was. So, I moved.
While passing the visitor’s pen, I saw an easy glove-trick opportunity. The ball was lying only 6 inches away from the wall and was directly below the chain-linked side.
BALL #6 = no challenge.
BALL #7 was snagged on the bounce up in the right field loge bleachers off the bat of TRAVIS ISHIKAWA.
A few minutes later, I called down to BARRY ZITO. He had a baseball and wanted to toss it into the crowd. As he was scanning the crowd for a worthy recipient, I waved my glove in the air. He saw me and gave a nod (as if to say, ‘there’s a Giants fan!’). BALL #8.
Near the end of BP, I witnessed something amazing.
The guy pictured below…
…hit one out of Miller Park on the fly to right field!
His name is Pablo Sandoval and he absolutely crushes the ball. If you attend a Giants game, position yourself in deep right-center field when this guy is up!
The back panels of the stadium (behind the bleachers) were open, allowing the ball to travel straight outta sight!
That ended BP.
I wandered around the stadium trying to kill some time.
Eventually, I made it up to the 200 level.
Foul balls would be mine!!
This was my view to the right…
and to the left…
Not so much. It just was not meant to be. Everything seemed to be spinning off the bat one level higher (club level) than usual.
I had played this section for foul balls twice before with success.
The 1st time on 5/01/09 when I snagged a Prince Fielder foul ball.
The 2nd time on 5/09/09 when I snagged a Craig Counsell foul ball.
Not this time.
After the game, I was able to get an ump ball from Paul Nauert which ran my daily grand total to 9 baseballs.
The baseballs…
…of which only 8 are shown (1 was given away to a kid).
The umpire game rubbed ball is located at the very bottom.
2009 BALLHAWKING STATS
- 9 total balls 6/26/09
4 batted baseballs (1 caught on fly)
3 toss-up baseballs
2 device
ATTENDANCE: 37,345
2009 TOTAL BASEBALLS
4/7/09 = 5 baseballs
4/8/09 = 10 baseballs
4/9/09 = 10 baseballs
4/10/09 = 3 baseballs
4/11/09 = 5 baseballs
4/12/09 = 5 baseballs
4/13/09 = 11 baseballs
4/14/09 = 6 baseballs
4/21/09 = 5 baseballs
4/27/09 = 15 baseballs
4/28/09 = 9 baseballs
4/30/09 = 4 baseballs
5/01/09 = 7 baseballs
5/02/09 = 4 baseballs
5/08/09 = 11 baseballs
5/09/09 = 1 lousy ball
5/12/09 = 14 baseballs
5/13/09 = 12 baseballs
5/19/09 = 8 baseballs
5/22/09 = 3 baseballs
5/23/09 = 2 baseballs
5/26/09 = 3 baseballs
5/29/09 = 6 baseballs
5/30/09 = 5 baseballs
6/01/09 = 1 baseball
6/02/09 = 9 baseballs
6/09/09 = 4 baseballs
6/10/09 = 0 baseballs
6/11/09 = 2 baseballs
6/12/09 = 9 baseballs
6/23/09 = 6 baseballs
6/24/09 = 9 baseballs
6/26/09 = 9 baseballs
___________________
213 baseballs (33 games)
6.45 average per game
ONE FINAL THING…
I wanted to share the following photograph with my readers……a “thank-you” card from a wonderful little Brewers fan whom I had given a baseball to.
The best part? The 5 yr. old refers to me as “BroowrBoy.”
That’s awesome. What a cool kid.
mlblogsthehappyyoungster
The card is adorable!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Nice haul, seems like a few more glove trick opportunities than normal! That thank you card is precious, what a cool surprise. Brew Crew is coming down to Houston in August I think, maybe September, you game?
Brian
http://txbaseballfan.mlblogs.com
Uh-oh! I saw that first picture and I thought that maybe you pulled a “Hample” and hopped down there to retrieve those pelotas! 9 is another very strong outing. That is 3-4 games worth of balls for me. I also checked out Brewerfan.net. Nice site!
Bob
Sounds like you had quite an adventure in your not so usual spot at the game.
-Dillon
http://dillonm.mlblogs.com
I bet you can’t say Travis Ishiikawa 12 times fast! Kool that you caught a ball from him, but what else is to be expect from the Happy Youngster! I bought your shirt last week, by the way.
http://homerfoodandhistory.mlblogs.com/
JULIA…
It made my day.
BRIAN…
As much as I would enjoy Texas this year, I don’t think it’s in the plans. 2010 for sure!
BOB…
I won’t go to those extremes. Well, maybe for a game home run ball;)
DILLON…
For sure.
JEREMY…
Ishikawa, Ishikawa, Ishiakadw, Ishiakaw, Iskswa, Ishi-nevermind.
Thanks for the support, Jeremy. Wear it proudly!!
“Happy”