The Baseball

by Zack Hample

  The cross-aisle and fountain at Kauffman Stadium (Photo Credit 13.11)

  KAUFFMAN STADIUM, KANSAS CITY Just like Camden, there’s a cross-aisle that wraps around the field level, but forget about chasing foul balls. This stadium was made for snagging homers. In left field, there’s a cross-aisle (roughly 400 feet from home plate) that runs behind the seats. In right field, there’s a two-tiered deck (aka “the Pepsi Party Porch”) with a long stretch of standing room. Both of these spots are outstanding, and as if that’s not good enough, there’s a walkway directly behind the batter’s eye that connects them. In other words, it’s easy to run back and forth for righties and lefties. And it gets even better. On both sides of the outfield—directly behind the aisle and the party deck—are fountains with long, narrow pools at the bottom. Yes, balls frequently land in the water. No, you’re not allowed to jump in after them. But you can scoop them out with a good waterproof contraption.3 Just make sure you move fast. Balls only float for 30 to 60 seconds.

  The concession area below the batter’s eye at AT&T Park (Photo Credit 13.12)

  AT&T PARK, SAN FRANCISCO The most annoying thing about AT&T Park (other than its name and the handful of aggressive ballhawks) is the weather. Because San Francisco rarely gets hot or humid, fly balls don’t carry—a real shame considering the stadium’s dreamlike configuration. The huge bleacher section in left field has a cross-aisle at the front, as does the smaller section in deep right-center. Meanwhile, there’s a long strip of standing room just behind the seats in right field. There’s room to run almost everywhere, even behind home plate on both the field and club levels, but let’s go back to the outfield. At most stadiums, the batter’s eye is completely off limits; any home run hit to dead center is literally gone. At AT&T Park, however, there’s an open-air concession area below the batter’s eye where long balls sometimes end up. It’s not a great spot because it’s tucked out of view and sits 425 feet from the plate, but at least it’s possible to snag there.4 Another great thing about this stadium is that it’s fan-friendly. Giants management allows people to bring in all sorts of ball-retrieving devices—even lightbulb changers (long poles with grabbers on the end). Finally, there’s the opportunity to snag baseballs outside the stadium. If you’re willing to get wet, rent a kayak and paddle into McCovey Cove. Otherwise, hang out on the promenade (aka “the Portwalk”) between the stadium and the water. In addition to snagging homers that fly or bounce out of the park, you’ll also be able to get the players to throw balls to you; there’s an alcove near the foul pole where passersby can peek inside. Give a good yell during BP and a fielder might arc one your way.

  Fans spilling onto the berm for a BP ball at Rangers Ballpark (Photo Credit 13.13)

  RANGERS BALLPARK, ARLINGTON Rangers Ballpark, perhaps the most underrated stadium in every sense, is like a playground for ballhawks. Want to use your glove trick? Not only are devices permitted, but there are gaps in front of every outfield section. Want to chase foul balls? Not only is there a cross-aisle behind the plate in the second deck, but the protective screen is so low that balls shoot back into the field level. Want to catch a game home run? Get ready for an opportunity unlike any other. The batter’s eye (aka “Green’s Hill”) is a grassy berm with bleachers on both sides; whenever a ball lands there, fans are allowed to jump over the side railings and race for it. During BP, opposing players sometimes find it amusing to throw balls onto the hill just to see the wild scrum that ensues. If you’d rather play it safe (and avoid the inevitable grass stains), stand behind the seats in straightaway left field. There’s a wide cross-aisle roughly 400 feet from the plate, and because of the extreme heat and humidity, it won’t be tough for right-handed batters to reach you.

  The Home Run Porch at Progressive Field (Photo Credit 13.14)

  PROGRESSIVE FIELD, CLEVELAND Before the stadium opens, you might be able to snag a ball or two outside gate A. It’s located behind the standing-room-only area (aka “the Home Run Porch”) down the left-field line; homers and deep foul balls will smack the pavement and shoot back in your direction. The inside of the stadium has several great spots. In addition to the standing room, there’s a cross-aisle at the front of the bleachers in straightaway left field and a huge patch of seats in right. I mean really huge. You can play shallow and hug the foul line or stay 25 rows back in right-center—and when the batter launches a ball to dead center, you might be able to snag that one too. Race over to the Indians’ Hall of Fame (aka “Heritage Park”) and head down to the lower level. There’s a slatted wall at the front and a row of trees on the other side. The wall has a narrow space at the bottom. Crouch down and peek through. If a ball lands in the trees, you might be able to see it, and if it’s sitting within arm’s length, you can reach through and grab it. Finally, the cross-aisle behind home plate makes it easy to catch foul balls, and the extra-wide front row behind the dugouts is ideal for snagging third-out balls and other toss-ups.

  TURNER FIELD, ATLANTA Aesthetically, there’s nothing remarkable about Turner Field. It’s cavernous and nondescript, and its near-symmetry is painfully dull, but the stadium is a ballhawking paradise. Never mind the fact that it opens two and a half hours early. What makes the stadium so great is the massive expanse of seats in left field and the five-foot-wide gap in front of it. Home run balls, glove trick balls, and even ground-rule doubles—the opportunities are endless. When the left-field stands start to fill up (or when a bunch of lefties are due to bat), you can run over to the section in right-center, but beware of the deep dimensions. The batters have to hit the ball 400 feet just to reach the seats, and because the front row is always crowded, we’re talking 410 to 420 in order for them to reach a spot where you’ll have some room to run. Fortunately, there’s a gap in front of that section too. There’s also a cross-aisle that runs through the entire field level, so it’s easy to move left and right for foul balls. The only problem is that the protective screen is rather tall, so balls have to loop back over it at just the right trajectory. That won’t happen often, but on the plus side, the press level is positioned just right to provide a fairly steady supply of ricochets.

  The gap behind the outfield wall at Turner Field (Photo Credit 13.15)

  The cross-aisle in front of the press box at Miller Park (Photo Credit 13.16)

  MILLER PARK, MILWAUKEE Two words: early access. Miller Park doesn’t officially open for the start of BP, but there’s a (legal) way to beat the system and get inside. When you first arrive, walk around the outside of the stadium and head to the left-field gate. Then, when you find the Friday’s restaurant, go inside and ask for a table on the terrace. The host will lead you to an area of seating that overlooks the outfield—and voilà! Let the snagging begin. The best thing about the terrace is the gap right below it (so come prepared with a device); the worst thing is the one-hour time limit on game days (so don’t show up too early). During the regular portion of BP, catching home runs can be tricky because the most expansive outfield sections are in the second deck. What this means is that you’ll have more room to roam upstairs, but lots of balls will fall short. It’s pretty frustrating, but Miller Park makes up for it by providing the best in-game foul ball opportunity in the majors. The place to be is the second deck (aka “the 200 Level”) between the seats and the press box. There’s a wide cross-aisle that was custom-built for snagging. It’s the perfect height and distance from the plate, but since the ushers probably won’t let you stand there, try to buy a ticket in that area. Go for row 10—the back row—in section 217 for right-handed batters and section 220 for lefties. (You’re welcome.)

  The Beach at PETCO Park (Photo Credit 13.17)

  PETCO PARK, SAN DIEGO For the average fan who arrives at game time and doesn’t bring a glove, PETCO Park is simply gorgeous. For the serious ballhawk who relies on mobility, the stadium is a giant obstacle course. Aisles end unpredictably. Staircases lead to railings. Concourses are strangely disjointed. Getting from point A to point B can be a real pain, yet the sta
dium is still great for snagging baseballs. It all begins with the Padres team store, located within the Western Metal Supply Co. Building. Don’t tell anyone about this—it’s a well-kept secret—but if you enter the store early in the day and walk to the very back, you’ll find a set of glass doors that open up into a small alcove near the left-field foul pole. (Cheers to early access.) Now, in case you haven’t noticed, the dimensions are deep to most parts of the outfield. Don’t let that discourage you. There’s lots of room to run in the stands. In left field, there’s a cross-aisle in the second deck, which gets a decent amount of action. In right field, there’s an aisle with standing room at the back. In right-center, there’s a gigantic sandbox-like thing (aka “the Beach”) with lots of open space. And if you want to catch a foul ball, the entire field level has an aisle as well. Not too shabby for a pitcher’s park.

  The Home Run Patio at Chase Field (Photo Credit 13.18)

  CHASE FIELD, PHOENIX Thank God for Friday’s. The restaurant chain has a location inside Chase Field, and you don’t even need to order anything. Find the entrance marked FRIDAY’S FRONT ROW SPORTS GRILL, take the elevator to the second floor, and make your way out to the terrace in deep left field. Home runs hardly ever land there—you’ll be in the second deck more than 400 feet from home plate—but players often toss balls up. Once the rest of the stadium opens, you’ll have ample room to maneuver in both the left- and right-field bleachers. Just be careful around the ends of the benches; the sharp metal corners are so hazardous that you should consider wearing long pants, even if it’s 127 degrees. For long home runs, you can stand in the concourse on either side of the batter’s eye. For shorter blasts (and a unique vantage point), buy a ticket in the narrow area (aka “the Home Run Patio”) directly behind the wall in right field. If you have $5,500 to spare, you and 34 of your closest friends can spend the day chasing home run balls around the swimming pool in right-center. And if you want to snag a foul ball, there’s a cross-aisle on the field level behind the plate and dugouts.

  The left-field bleachers at PNC Park (Photo Credit 13.19)

  PNC PARK, PITTSBURGH It’s not quite McCovey Cove, but baseballs do occasionally fly (or bounce) out of the stadium and into the Allegheny River. At its closest point, the water is 443 feet from home plate, and like AT&T Park, there’s a promenade (aka “the River Walk”) along the edge. Inside the stadium, there are two good standing-room-only areas for home runs. The first is in straightaway left field, just in front of the staircases that lead to the second deck. The second is in right-center on the open-air concourse. There’s also a cross-aisle from foul pole to foul pole, but best of all, the paltry attendance means little competition for you as a ballhawk.5 It kind of makes up for the retina-searing glare from the late-afternoon sun; PNC Park is one of several stadiums where you might want to bring a pair of shades.

  SPRING TRAINING, HOME RUN DERBY, AND THE POSTSEASON

  Snagging baseballs during Spring Training is easy. Really really easy. Almost embarrassingly easy. The crowds are smaller, there’s much more room to run, and the atmosphere is super-laid-back—but don’t let that stop you from going. That’s what makes it fun. Most of the snagging strategies in this book apply to Spring Training, but here are some extra things you should know:

  Florida versus Arizona—Because it hardly ever rains in Arizona, there’s usually batting practice, but the ballparks in Florida tend to open earlier. Also, because the Cactus League facilities are all located fairly close to each other, the road teams often take BP at their own stadiums before busing over. Finally, Arizona ballparks generally have better berms (prime home run—catching areas) and provide better access; at some venues, you’ll need an actual berm ticket in order to get out there.

  Size matters—Spring Training stadiums are so small that balls regularly fly completely out. Whether you’re hoping to snag a BP homer or a game foul ball, the best place to stand might be outside.

  Coming and going—At some ballparks, fans are allowed to go in and out, but at other places they’re not. Make sure you learn about the reentry policy before bolting through an exit and chasing after a ball.

  Numbers game—Bring full rosters that list every single player and coach—even minor leaguers and special assistants. Simply knowing some scrubby guy’s name could result in an easy toss-up.

  Backfield in motion—Many teams hold morning practices on backfields; at some complexes, you might have access to those areas, so do some research ahead of time to find out where you can and can’t go. Arizona is usually better in this regard, but Florida provides some opportunities as well. (In Arizona, the dry terrain surrounding certain fields camouflages baseballs. You can save yourself a long walk and scour the ground for balls if you bring binoculars.)

  The Home Run Derby is insane. Forget about finding Easter eggs or using a retrieval device; the stadium is packed by the time batting practice starts, and security is incredibly tight. If you’re even allowed to enter the bleachers during BP (you might need a ticket for that area), try to claim a corner spot or at least grab some space in the front row. You’ll be in the perfect place to get balls tossed to you by the players’ kids—not the most exciting way to snag, but it’s worth it because many balls will have the commemorative Home Run Derby logo. Two minutes after regular BP ends, there’s a brief bonus round for the eight guys who are about to participate in the Derby. Most fans won’t realize it, and they’ll head back to their seats. Don’t be fooled by the mass exodus. During the Derby itself, balls don’t get tossed into the crowd, so you’ll have to catch one directly off the bat. Don’t get trapped in a sea of aggressive fans; you’ll be better off standing in the front row of the upper deck 480 feet from home plate than in the 10th row of the lower deck where it’s only 380. Guys will be hitting bombs. They’ll reach you. Ideally, though, you should try to find a cross-aisle or any other open area where you can run.

  The postseason is much simpler. Batting practice is crowded (but not that crowded), security is strict (but not that strict), and you won’t see commemorative World Series balls until the games get under way. On the East Coast, some games start so late that you’ll get to experience the strange phenomenon of nighttime BP, but other than that, things are fairly routine. Players still toss third-out balls into the crowd, and the “fans” will leave early if the home team is losing.

  BALLHAWKING ETIQUETTE

  If you catch two baseballs during batting practice, should you give one away? If a ball is sitting near the bullpen mound, should you feel guilty about snagging it with your glove trick? Is it ever okay, under any circumstances, to reach in front of a kid? The answers are not that simple, so here, once and for all, to help ensure civility in the stands, are the definitive rules of ballhawking etiquette:

  Sharing the wealth—No matter how many baseballs you’ve snagged, it’s okay to run around and try to catch another. Once you get a ball, you can do anything you want with it. You can keep it, play with it, sell it, or cut off the stitches and unravel it. You can, of course, also give balls away, and while I certainly encourage that and give away plenty of my own, there’s no rule that you have to.

  To reach or not to reach—When a player points to another fan before throwing a ball, that’s the one time when you shouldn’t reach for it, but when a ball is batted or tossed randomly into the crowd, you have every right to go for it. That said, you should still use good judgment. If you see a kid camped underneath a home run ball, consider backing off and letting him catch it—unless he’s not paying attention and doesn’t see it coming. In that case, you’d actually be a hero for reaching in front of him, even more so if you then hand over the ball.

  No fighting, no biting—Do not use physical force against other fans. Don’t push or shove, don’t yank people’s arms down if they’re reaching for balls, and don’t ever knock anyone over. (Think of it this way: if it would be a foul in a basketball game, then you shouldn’t do it in the stands at a baseball game.) If you’re racing someone else for
a ball, you might accidentally bump into each other. You might slip, get boxed out, or simply lose. It happens. Deal with it and move on.

  Down in front!—This applies to all fans, but it’s even more important for ballhawks: when moving around during the game, make sure you’re not blocking anyone’s view or standing in anyone’s way. If, for example, the pitcher starts his windup while you’re walking down the steps, crouch down and hold still until the action is done—or if you’re standing in a tunnel, stay toward one side so that fans and vendors can get past you. Look around. Be courteous.

  Laws of possession—If you’re scrambling for a ball and someone else grabs it, don’t try to knock it out of his hands. If, however, someone pins the ball against the ground by sitting or stepping on it, it’s fair game. (This happens more often than you’d think.) Finally, if a fan snags a ball with his cap, net, umbrella, or glove trick, that constitutes possession—even if he hasn’t yet grabbed the ball with his bare hand, so let him have it.

  Glove trick guilt—Some ballhawks swear by retrieval devices, while others insist that the use of such objects is nothing more than theft. The bigger issue is how the team feels about it. If you’re allowed to use a device, go for it, and if you’re not, then don’t—but there’s no need to feel guilty. Even small-market teams are worth hundreds of millions of dollars; they can afford to spare a few extra baseballs.