Here is the video:

 

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200807063077585&c_id=mil

 

If you read post number one, you’d note that I am more than just a critic and baseball blogger; I am a ballhawk. While the number one ballhawking spot lies elsewhere (http://thehappyyoungster.mlblogs.com/), I still strive for perfection. One warm July morning, my mom and I headed to the ballpark to watch the NL powerhouse Brewers face off against the bottom-dwelling Pittsburgh Pirates. July 6^th, 2008… our nation’s birthday was mere hours behind us. Teams all around the big leagues would wear their 4^th of July caps for the rest of the weekend.

 

My luckiest piece of clothing happens to be my “bullshirt”. I’ve had it for a long, long time, but had only started wearing it earlier in spring of 2008, down in Maryvale. The ballhawking went exceptionally well that day (3 foul balls, 10 or 12 BP balls), so I decided to add it to the regular season repertoire. Since the “bullshirt” is yellow and black, why not wear it for the Pirates? It looks neutral enough with a Brewers cap on, and it looks right out of the closet of an every day Pittsburgher without the cap.

 

 

 

 

The Infamous Bullshirt

 

Ballhawking during BP went decent this day, but nothing worth writing home (or in this case, here) happened. The old summertime cliché, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” rang true this day like none other. It was only about 75 or 80 degrees, but the air was so sticky you would figure you’re in the shower. Sweat would drip and drip, but never evaporate. There was even the old Milwaukee staple, a whiff of the lake in the air. After my mother and I scrounged up some beverages, dogs and burgers, it was time to head to the seats. We presented the tickets and gained access to “the seats”.

 

A few sips of cola and a few bites of burger forced me to place my glove under my seat. Little did I know, the best moment of my ballhawking career would be happening in a few short seconds. After gobbling the burger, forgetting my glove was under my seat, I pulled out a Gameday program. During the inning, it was announced that Ryan Braun would start the All-Star game. Amazing!

 

While scanning the program, J.J. Hardy launched a 2-run homer over the right field wall. The starting pitcher for the Pirates, Zack Duke, was obviously going to try and tantalize the Crew’s power hitters with low and away junk balls. The Brewers would have none of that, they would serve those changes of pace to the opposite field, and I took note. J.J. completed his round trip, and Braun stepped to the plate. I cheered for my favorite Brewer, and buried my nose back in the program. Braun takes first pitch, steeeee-rike one. As he digs in the box, my mom poses me this question:  “So where does Ryan hit ‘em?”. And as the “e” in “‘em” left her tongue, Braun sent the ball on a 420 foot ride.

 

As the ball left the bat, my glove was still under my seat, program still in hand. Before the ball left the infield, I answered with “apparently right here!”. I never emptied my hands faster, throwing ballot to the ground. In one motion, I fling everything out of my way, get the glove on, and stand up and brace myself. My friend and fellow autograph collector Roy was seated next to me, and my friend (and biggest competetor) Nick “Happy Youngster” Yohanek was seated a few seats to my left. Of course, they both stuck to my sides like magnets as the ball was in the air.

 

I had just completely stood up, and the ball was already to me. I put one hand in the air to catch the ball, and the other one followed. I had just caught Ryan Braun’s 55^th career homerun, and his first as an All-Star! This is truly the best feeling in the world! This was my first game homerun on the fly, 6^th career game homerun.

 

Here is a timeline that coincides with the video:

 

0:01: Mother asks, “Where does Braun hit ‘em?”

0:03: I answer “Apparently right here”

0:04: I begin to stand up and put glove on

0:07: I catch the ball!

0:11: I high five people, point to Nick and his party, feel as if I’m accepting an award

0:18: Look to the bleachers and around the stadium and realize 45,000 eyes are on me, as well as the TV audience

0:29: Sheer disbelief sets in, lasts roughly a week

 

Best day of my ballhawking career!