I've read all the comments, please take a few minutes to read mine.
Where do I start?
Never in a million years did I ever imagine catching a player's 1st career home run ball would spiral into such a debate. People across the country are divided on this issue. Some think I'm a liar, a phony and a cheat. Some think I didn't ask for enough. Who's right? Who's wrong? I don't think there's a clear answer to this debate.
FACT: After I caught the baseball, I DID ask for two (2) bats in return for the baseball. One from Chris Coghlan AND one from Chris' teammate Hanley Ramirez. I requested BOTH be personalized to me.
FACT: I DID settle for one bat (the Coghlan) and the promise of Brewers/Marlins tickets (during the June 1-4 series in Florida) without fuss.
Somewhere in the process, things became so distorted that I fear they're beyond repair.
Personally, I still take the stance that asking for two bats was not excessive. Although, the purpose of this write-up is not to justify my actions, nor is it an effort to gain any individual approval.
I just feel the need to speak up and inform.
First of all, ballhawking IS my hobby. I don't ask that you understand it, I simply ask that you do not criticize me for doing so. While I admit, it may come across a bit odd to many, the truth is, many pastimes people partake in could potentially fall under this category. Is it fair to fault someone for doing something they enjoy? As long as the behavior of the pastime is not juvenile, the answer is NO.
The same goes for adults who bring their glove to the park. Does anyone have the right to criticize someone for this? Is there an age limit on playing baseball and catching baseballs? NO, and there's no need to justify this, either.
The manner in which I ballhawk:
FACT: Beginning this season, I have begun to bring the opponent's gear ONLY to wear during that team's portion of BP. As soon as their BP session is over, I put on my Happy Youngster shirt and Brewers hat. While some find this cheating, deceitful, despicable, disloyal...I find that it maximizes the total amount of baseballs that get tossed into the crowd. Think about this-how many opponents toss baseballs to Brewers fans during BP. The answer is not too many. Whether people think it's right or wrong, this helps souvenirs make the stands that would normally not be thrown. It DOES NOT make me lesser of a Brewers fan, just a smarter ballhawk. Marcus Hanel has been playful about it, why can't everyone else?
FICTION: I trample kids/elderly/men/women to get baseballs. This is NOT how I operate. While it's impossible to be perfectly graceful in snagging baseballs, I do try to avoid contact at all costs. Although, contact is sometimes unavoidable. As long as it happens in an unintentional, spirited, competitive fashion and doesn't involve kids.
I admit, during my County Stadium days, I was much more aggressive. But, I've learned a lot over the years. Now, I avoid standing where children are present altogether. Nothing but a no-win for me when I'm trying to catch baseballs. The truth is, I've helped people avoid more injury than you could possibly imagine.
Use of the glove trick:
FACT: The glove trick is NOT illegal. Nor is it stealing. It's simply obtaining a ball that would not normally be attainable by the use of some sort of device. While it may be in violation of some usher's personal conduct policy, it is no different than using the cup trick, a butterfly net, soup can on a string, etc. Actually, approx. 1/2 the major league teams in baseball allow the use of these said devices-as long as they are not used on a ball in play. The other 1/2 will tell you to put it away and to not be seen using it again.
(In the past, I've been applauded by both fans and ushers for putting this method on display)
Hogging baseballs:
FACT: The reason I started my MLBlog was to be able to share it with other fans, kids, parents, etc. so they could learn how to ballhawk themselves. I share all my methods, insist on tastefulness in doing so and never intend any ill-will. I get hundreds of readers from both kids and parents alike, thanking me for helping their son/daughter obtain that elusive prized souvenir at the ballpark. That being said, any individual is free to grab their mitt, head to the ballpark early and attempt to catch their own. Should I be looked down upon because I've got the knack for it? It's a free world we live in...anyone is entitled to try to grab their own prized souvenir. MLB ballparks are big places. There's enough room for all of us. While I fully admit that snagging 14 baseballs in one day could easily be perceived as excessive, please know that of the 775+ baseballs I have snagged in my lifetime, only approx. 20% remain in my collection. The rest have been given away without recourse or reward.
I understand that this will never be good enough for certain people...this I cannot change.
FICTION: That I'm "greedy" and out to make a profit.
I DO NOT sell any of the baseballs I retrieve. Nor, do I sell any of the items I receive in return for the few milestones I have retrieved. It's just not true.
Even if someone did sell stuff to make a buck, I wouldn't frown on them for doing so.
FACT: Home run balls mean more to me than the average fan.
It's my hobby! Of course they have value to me. If someone didn't care about snagging a ball at the game, I wouldn't expect that person to care what they get for it in return. On the flip side, they mean a lot to me. So, naturally, I'll ask for something comparable in return. The value of the ball lies in the eye of the beholder. Plain and simple.
The use of my employment as some sort of tactic/threat:
FALSE. In every sense of the word.
The only reason that was brought up was because I wanted the exchange to be person-to-person. Mr. Coghlan was already ticked off, I just wanted him to know that I was a regular guy and not the scam-artist they were making me out to be. I was not looking for an advantage nor was I looking for respect. I wasn't complaining about my salary or looking for any type of sympathy, nor did I feel entitled to anything special.
If you guys can't see this, I don't know how to make it any easier.
I admit now-saying that back-fired. People just ran with it and drew their own conclusions. Very irrational and ill-advised conclusions, I might add.
I will certainly never mention that again under any context.
So, what did I learn from this??
This fact remains: I still wouldn't change my initial request for trading that ball back to Chris Coghlan.
What really stinks is that people are saying I make all Brewers fans look bad.
For that, I am truly sorry.
As far as all the disparaging remarks...it's flat-out immature and uncalled for. You can speak your mind about a topic without making yourself look uneducated in the process.
Finally, for those of you who know me or have met me in the past, it's not a coincidence that you supported me. For those of you who do not know me, try introducing yourself the next time you see me at the ballpark. You might not be so quick to judge. For those that just don't care...don't say anything.
Your kid might still get a baseball from me.
Regardless of popular opinion, I AM a loyal Brewers fan and plan on being around for awhile.
Your responses are not necessary, I just wanted to put this to rest.
Yours truly,
"The Happy Youngster"
Where do I start?
Never in a million years did I ever imagine catching a player's 1st career home run ball would spiral into such a debate. People across the country are divided on this issue. Some think I'm a liar, a phony and a cheat. Some think I didn't ask for enough. Who's right? Who's wrong? I don't think there's a clear answer to this debate.
FACT: After I caught the baseball, I DID ask for two (2) bats in return for the baseball. One from Chris Coghlan AND one from Chris' teammate Hanley Ramirez. I requested BOTH be personalized to me.
FACT: I DID settle for one bat (the Coghlan) and the promise of Brewers/Marlins tickets (during the June 1-4 series in Florida) without fuss.
Somewhere in the process, things became so distorted that I fear they're beyond repair.
Personally, I still take the stance that asking for two bats was not excessive. Although, the purpose of this write-up is not to justify my actions, nor is it an effort to gain any individual approval.
I just feel the need to speak up and inform.
First of all, ballhawking IS my hobby. I don't ask that you understand it, I simply ask that you do not criticize me for doing so. While I admit, it may come across a bit odd to many, the truth is, many pastimes people partake in could potentially fall under this category. Is it fair to fault someone for doing something they enjoy? As long as the behavior of the pastime is not juvenile, the answer is NO.
The same goes for adults who bring their glove to the park. Does anyone have the right to criticize someone for this? Is there an age limit on playing baseball and catching baseballs? NO, and there's no need to justify this, either.
The manner in which I ballhawk:
FACT: Beginning this season, I have begun to bring the opponent's gear ONLY to wear during that team's portion of BP. As soon as their BP session is over, I put on my Happy Youngster shirt and Brewers hat. While some find this cheating, deceitful, despicable, disloyal...I find that it maximizes the total amount of baseballs that get tossed into the crowd. Think about this-how many opponents toss baseballs to Brewers fans during BP. The answer is not too many. Whether people think it's right or wrong, this helps souvenirs make the stands that would normally not be thrown. It DOES NOT make me lesser of a Brewers fan, just a smarter ballhawk. Marcus Hanel has been playful about it, why can't everyone else?
FICTION: I trample kids/elderly/men/women to get baseballs. This is NOT how I operate. While it's impossible to be perfectly graceful in snagging baseballs, I do try to avoid contact at all costs. Although, contact is sometimes unavoidable. As long as it happens in an unintentional, spirited, competitive fashion and doesn't involve kids.
I admit, during my County Stadium days, I was much more aggressive. But, I've learned a lot over the years. Now, I avoid standing where children are present altogether. Nothing but a no-win for me when I'm trying to catch baseballs. The truth is, I've helped people avoid more injury than you could possibly imagine.
Use of the glove trick:
FACT: The glove trick is NOT illegal. Nor is it stealing. It's simply obtaining a ball that would not normally be attainable by the use of some sort of device. While it may be in violation of some usher's personal conduct policy, it is no different than using the cup trick, a butterfly net, soup can on a string, etc. Actually, approx. 1/2 the major league teams in baseball allow the use of these said devices-as long as they are not used on a ball in play. The other 1/2 will tell you to put it away and to not be seen using it again.
(In the past, I've been applauded by both fans and ushers for putting this method on display)
Hogging baseballs:
FACT: The reason I started my MLBlog was to be able to share it with other fans, kids, parents, etc. so they could learn how to ballhawk themselves. I share all my methods, insist on tastefulness in doing so and never intend any ill-will. I get hundreds of readers from both kids and parents alike, thanking me for helping their son/daughter obtain that elusive prized souvenir at the ballpark. That being said, any individual is free to grab their mitt, head to the ballpark early and attempt to catch their own. Should I be looked down upon because I've got the knack for it? It's a free world we live in...anyone is entitled to try to grab their own prized souvenir. MLB ballparks are big places. There's enough room for all of us. While I fully admit that snagging 14 baseballs in one day could easily be perceived as excessive, please know that of the 775+ baseballs I have snagged in my lifetime, only approx. 20% remain in my collection. The rest have been given away without recourse or reward.
I understand that this will never be good enough for certain people...this I cannot change.
FICTION: That I'm "greedy" and out to make a profit.
I DO NOT sell any of the baseballs I retrieve. Nor, do I sell any of the items I receive in return for the few milestones I have retrieved. It's just not true.
Even if someone did sell stuff to make a buck, I wouldn't frown on them for doing so.
FACT: Home run balls mean more to me than the average fan.
It's my hobby! Of course they have value to me. If someone didn't care about snagging a ball at the game, I wouldn't expect that person to care what they get for it in return. On the flip side, they mean a lot to me. So, naturally, I'll ask for something comparable in return. The value of the ball lies in the eye of the beholder. Plain and simple.
The use of my employment as some sort of tactic/threat:
FALSE. In every sense of the word.
The only reason that was brought up was because I wanted the exchange to be person-to-person. Mr. Coghlan was already ticked off, I just wanted him to know that I was a regular guy and not the scam-artist they were making me out to be. I was not looking for an advantage nor was I looking for respect. I wasn't complaining about my salary or looking for any type of sympathy, nor did I feel entitled to anything special.
If you guys can't see this, I don't know how to make it any easier.
I admit now-saying that back-fired. People just ran with it and drew their own conclusions. Very irrational and ill-advised conclusions, I might add.
I will certainly never mention that again under any context.
So, what did I learn from this??
- The media will distort the truth.
- Sports fans will distort the truth.
- Never include a player in the deal who had nothing to do with the home run. (I know-I know...it's happened before with Geoff Jenkins. I made mistakes with that one. I admit that).
This fact remains: I still wouldn't change my initial request for trading that ball back to Chris Coghlan.
What really stinks is that people are saying I make all Brewers fans look bad.
For that, I am truly sorry.
As far as all the disparaging remarks...it's flat-out immature and uncalled for. You can speak your mind about a topic without making yourself look uneducated in the process.
Finally, for those of you who know me or have met me in the past, it's not a coincidence that you supported me. For those of you who do not know me, try introducing yourself the next time you see me at the ballpark. You might not be so quick to judge. For those that just don't care...don't say anything.
Your kid might still get a baseball from me.
Regardless of popular opinion, I AM a loyal Brewers fan and plan on being around for awhile.
Your responses are not necessary, I just wanted to put this to rest.
Yours truly,
"The Happy Youngster"
