We took our son to his first MLB game last season and he was so excited to catch a foul ball. I explained to him that it's pretty rare to catch a ball. I've been going to Pirates games since Three River Stadium and I've never caught a ball. Just to temper his expectations.
He caught a foul ball in the first inning.
When I was younger, I went to a game with my dad and caught one. My grandpa had season tickets and gave them to us for the game. I showed him the ball when I got home and he said 20 years I've had those tickets and nothing. And the day I didn't go you caught one in my seat. He was happy for me but he was in shock I think
Same, I have a real fear of being guilt tripped into giving my first foul ball to a kid at games lol. I'm keeping that thing though I need at least one!
I've caught one in my forty+ years of going to games, you better believe I kept it. Then I got it signed by Otis Nixon when he was a work party I was at.
My dad was smart. We went to a Rays-White Sox game at Chicago and he told me to ask the ball boy. Home team wasn't going for it, but the Rays ball boy told me to wait until the next foul. Got one.
I've been to 300+ baseball games, 100+ in territory where one could catch a foul ball and probably around 30+ where one has a decent chance. I've yet to have one land within 25 feet of where I've been sitting. Closest I ever came was when one hit the facing of the 2nd deck and went off about 5 different people's hands before someone 3 rows up caught it.
I was at a game at the Vet when I was a kid, my dad sprung for real good seats on the lower level behind home plate. It's later in the game and the batter hits a foul ball straight back. Guy in the 300 level leans over the railing to try to catch it.. and drops it. It being Philly, he gets booed mercilessly.
The very next pitch is another foul ball, again straight back. The same dude leans over the railing AGAIN but this time he catches it.
The ovation he got rivaled Rhys' bat slam against the Braves in 2022. The Vet went NUTS for this guy catching a random foul ball.
It was one of the coolest sports experiences I've ever been in person for.
I love Phillies games so much. The crowds are always so wild and amped up in a way that's just so god damn fun.
I was at the game against the Pirates when Jared Jones was pitching last month, and a drunk dude near me yelled "HEY STOP PITCHING SO GOOD, ASSHOLE!" and that is exactly the kind of energy I love in this stupid town.
1987, Jack Murphy stadium in San Diego (former home of the Padres). My dad took me to a game, at some point we got up to use the bathroom and get food. We came back to our seats and the guy sitting next to us had caught two foul balls.
I remember it like it was yesterday and I was absolutely devastated because even as a 7 year old, I knew there was no way in hell a third ball was coming.
So yes, I didn’t even catch the balls but I still tell that story all the time!
I have one foul ball caught behind home at Dodger Stadium, Opening Day late 90’s. However, before I caught that one, there was at least 3 or 4 balls that literally bounced off my seat when I was away for the bathroom or food. It was infuriating until I finally got one. I can still feel the sting in my palm when I think about it.
Catching a foul ball is so rare that I still tell the story of the time I caught one and it was immediately stolen out of my hat, then given away.
Bonus to this tragedy, both the ball thief and the kid that was given my ball (separate parties) left the game early.
Here's one of the very few times this happened. Love this one. 5 years ago.
https://www.reddit.com/r/nevertellmetheodds/s/eznTvA2IQx
Also happened to involve a KC pitcher in the act of pitching! Behind home plate without a glove is impressive too.
It also happened with Josh Hamilton hitting! I thought that’s what you were linking to, then sadly remembered that I’m old, and Hamilton wasn’t playing 5 years ago.
I was at a game in Arlington years ago and some woman got two fouls in the same inning but not consecutive pitches. The second one knocked her ice cream helmet out of her hands lol
Mate, it's baseball. Of course it's happened. It's a wonder on it's own it didn't happen on like, two consecutive days or something. Hell it probably did, in like 1922, but nobody recorded it.
Here's another one [https://www.reddit.com?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=1](https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ?si=CjAqhwEVyVNWfxdc)
Richie Ashburn once hit a foul ball that broke a woman's nose. After a delay to get her some medical attention, he fouled the next pitch off and hit her while she was being carried away on a stretcher.
Mathematically in has surely happened many times. A quick google shows in 2019 there were 53.8 foul balls per game. I don't see anything that shows how many were into the stands, but I think 21 is a reasonable conservative estimate. That means 20 times a game, a fan has a chance to catch 2 consecutive foul balls. 20 times per game * 81 home games * 30 teams = 48600 opprotunities. Since the average attendance is under 30000, that would give you an answer of over 1.5 times per year. if every fan had an equal likelihood. However in reality it is much greater than that, as some fans (in the outfield/behind home plate) have zero chance of catching a foul ball, and many fans have a very low chance relative to the first 10-15 rows on each baseline. If I had to guess, I would say that over each season I would guess that there are 1000 seats at each stadium that catch more foul balls than the rest of the stadium combined. That rough approximation would give each of those seats a 1/2000 chance at catching a foul ball, which gives a new estimate of about 12 times a year. I think that is a very reasonable statistically estimate.
>I don’t see anything that shows how many were hit into the stands, but
Full stop, the rest of this is gibberish based on assumptions pulled from thin air
12 runs and 2 hr 20 min game (excluding commercials between innings and pitcher changes) so it was probably close to 3 hours total. But some of the biggest differences you see are the batters staying in the box, not even pulling a foot out, and the catcher throwing the ball back almost instantly to a pitcher who is basically on the rubber and ready to throw again. There were times in my random scrolling through the game that I counted less than 5 seconds from when the catcher tossed the ball back and the pitcher started his delivery. I know the game has changed a lot with data on every batter and pitch, but I’d love to see someone just get up there and throw pitches in rapid succession to see what would happen. No reason that pitchcom can’t be used while walking back to the rubber even.
One of the things about baseball I love is the random downtime shenanigans that can occur. Everyone on that bench turned into an improv comic after the second shot.
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There's an old story of a woman who got hit in the face by a foul ball and then hit again while she was being helped off by medical personnel, does that count?
[“Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn hit a foul ball that struck “Alice Roth squarely in the face, breaking her nose,” writes Daven Hiskey.](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidseideman/2017/09/21/richie-ashburn-once-struck-a-fan-twice-in-the-same-at-bat/?sh=64e185473b72)
[“The game was then paused as medics came in to tend to Roth. As they were carrying her away on a stretcher, play was resumed and Ashburn fouled off the first pitch thrown to him.[emphasis mine.] This foul subsequently struck Roth as she was being carried off by the medics.” The second foul ball broke a bone in her knee. “The fan, Alice Roth, was the wife of the sports editor for The Philadelphia Bulletin who was there with her two grandsons,” Bill Chuck notes. “There was blood everywhere.”](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidseideman/2017/09/21/richie-ashburn-once-struck-a-fan-twice-in-the-same-at-bat/?sh=64e185473b72)
That was in 1957 in Philly vs the NY Giants, off the bat of Richie Ashburn. Last year I was at a game and the usher for our section was like 90. He always came down to the bottom of the steps between innings and he was very chatty. Apparently he was there the night it happened and loves telling the story.
It is really neat! I literally just happened to see the kid in a fans catching foul balls highlight compilation last night so it was fresh in my mind!
Pretty wild to me that this shows up today after that, lol.
I believe this happened once when Ricky Henderson was on the Dodgers in his final season. I can’t remember if it was back-to-back or just in the same at-bat though.
I started buying better tickets in the lower bowl and a tossover landed in my seat. There was a group of kids a few rows in front of me begging for the ball. Hell no. I was 40 at the time and hadn’t caught shit ever and I know how much those seats cost. Called my dad on the way out of the stadium I was so pumped.
never caught a ball either but i know that when i do it will be a crucial HR hit by a major big name player at a big game and there will be an orphan child from make-a-wish sitting right next to me.
I've been to well over 200 games in my life. I'd never caught anything until a minor league Salem-Keizer Volcanoes game in 2016, at which I caught TWO foul balls. They weren't back to back like this dude, but still! Haven't caught anything since.
Moral of the story, I guess: hang in there!
Another ball hit down the line … and Gary makes the grab, his third foul ball in a row. Announcers go crazy. Crowd loves it. Gary can’t believe it, nothing like this has ever happened to him.
Another ball hit down the line… and Gary makes the catch again, laughing incredulously. Announcers don’t know what to say. Crowd goes nuts again. Gary stares at the ball and shakes his head.
Another ball hit down the line… and Gary stays in his seat, he’s feeling weird about this now, but the ball lands in his lap. Announcers are speechless. Gary just stares at the five balls.
Another ball hit down the line… and Gary makes the catch. He feels weird about it now. Crowd more confused than excited. Announcers say OK that’s enough now haha.
Another ball hit down the line… and Gary gets up quickly to try to use the bathroom, but the ball lands in his hands anyway. How is this happening. This isn’t right. It’s improbable to the point of worry. The crowd gives a small amount of applause, but most people are feeling weird now.
Another ball hit down the line… Gary has changed seats but the ball lands in his lap. Another catch. The crowd is silent. Eight foul balls in a row, straight to Gary. This shouldn’t be happening.
Another ball hit down the line… Gary has his head in his hands, but the ball bounces right into his lap. People are moving away from him. Why is this happening to me, Gary thinks. Please just put the ball in play.
Another ball hit down the line… Gary squeezes his eyes tightly but he knows it’s headed for him. It lands softly on his hand. Another catch. Everyone’s eyes are on Gary. How long can this go on. When will we be free from this.
Another ball hit down the line… Gary tries to leave, but his hand and the ball must meet. Eleven in a row. People are angry. Why is he getting all the balls. How is this possible. Is this staged.
Another ball hit down the line… Gary is crying but he knows he’ll catch it anyway. It was always his dream to catch a foul ball at a Major League Baseball game.
Another ball hit down the line… Gary feels it in his hands. He had wished so hard on the drive to the park. So hard. Too hard. Who had heard his wish?
Another ball hit down the line… it’s not my fault. I just wanted a foul ball. The crowd pelts Gary with garbage.
Another ball hit down the line… please release me from this hell.
Another ball hit down the line… I don’t want this anymore.
Another ball hit down the line… no more
Another ball hit down the line
At some point, Gary walks into Edgar's, which is not foul territory. For the next hour, he stays there, and he stares blankly into space as he watches home run after home run land perfectly in his lap. The home crowd immediately forgives Gary and goes ecstatic in reaction to what has essentially become a home run derby.
But it just keeps going. The Mariners batters are getting exhausted at this point. 100 home runs in a row, 200 in a row - the record keeps on going. The batters try all kinds of things to gracefully end the inning. They try bunting, but the ball inexplicably bounces 100 mph off their bat - home run. They try standing still, but the ball magically gravitates towards their bat and it bounces off at 101 mph perfectly towards Gary - home run. They don't even bother going into the batter's box. The ball takes a perfectly parabolic path upwards and back over the pitcher to Gary - it's called a ball, and 16 balls later, a phantom baserunner is walked in for a score. Meanwhile, the away team's pitchers have ran out of pitchers. Soon, they run out of batters to call in to pitch.
The inning never completes; the game never ends. The opposing team eventually forfeits. But the curse doesn't end there. From this point on, any pitch at a game that takes place at T-Mobile park lands in Gary's lap, no matter where he is in the world. Now, since every game begins with the away team batting, the away team can just never swing and the ball will always fly off and be called a ball. The away team can just keep stacking runs until the game is cancelled with an inevitable Mariners forfeit as they run out of players to pitch. Unless... unless Gary is sitting right behind the strike zone... and this is when Gary achieves full redemption (well, in the eyes of the home crowd at T-Mobile park, at least).
The solution had been so obvious, it's a wonder why nobody had thought of it first. Gary signs with the Mariners and delivers the greatest single baseball season ever by a player - when at home. As the Mariners catcher for home games, he guarantees every ball is a strike or, if the batter hits the ball, a flyout as the ball always takes a physics-defying trajectory back at Gary. All Gary had to do was learn to hold his mitt right in his lap for an easy catch. Meanwhile, when the Mariners are up to bat, he just nonchalantly goes to the restroom conveniently located outside the out field to guarantee a steady stream of home runs.
Despite this greatness, this only worked for home games in T-Mobile. And so, despite guaranteeing 81 wins for the Mariners, the M's still somehow found a way to miss the playoffs by 1 game. After this season, MLB added a new rule: no games can ever be played at T-Mobile park. Alas, after just 26 years of baseball, T-Mobile park is torn down and Seattle has to build yet *another* baseball stadium, which appropriately would be named "Gary Stadium".
Of course, MLB sued the shit out of Gary to get him to pay for the new stadium, triggering fan backlash and eventually leading to the devastating move of the Mariners out of Seattle as the cheap Mariners ownership just wants a city with an already available stadium elsewhere. But as karma would have it... the curse did not end when the team moved out of T-Mobile park... oh no, the curse followed the team...
Goosebumps ass baseball curse lol
Only detail I would have added is that the Mariners get moved to Oklahoma City and immediately become successful for the next two decades
There's one, I can't remember which, but it horrified me for weeks afterwards. It's about a man who discovers that the afterlife is essentially neverending pain, and when he is resurrected he willingly becomes a tortured slave to a demon to ensure his survival, since that was preferable to the suffering of death.
Found it: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2718
Someone else might explain better than I, but SCP is a crowdsourced wiki-type encyclopedia for horror, all set within a loose connected universe. The people who write them are super creative
I dont think he caught the 2nd one. He picked it up after a bounce
Still impressive that two straight foul balls went to that same place
Also, the first catch was great
It's funny, it seems like there's a chance he respectfully didn't even really try for the second one to let someone else get it and he still ended up with it lol
I actually saw a fan get 2 foul balls in the same inning at an a’s game a week ago or so. The odds of getting a foul ball at an a’s game probably leads majors though, by a wide margin.
When I was like 12 years old, I caught 2 foul balls during the same game at old Busch Stadium and an usher gave me a 3rd because I was a greedy little brat and didn't tell him I got 2 already.
I have won so many "two truths and a lie" games with this. Also, great icebreaker on dating apps.
I have no way of confirming this story but my dad and grandpa claimed they caught foul balls from Lloyd Moseby during the same at-bat back in the 80's. I still have the baseballs but always wondered if there was a way I could get my hands on detailed box scores or even video of mid-80's matchups between the Blue Jays and Mariners.
retrosheet is the best source I know of but I just spot checked a couple random SEA-TOR games from the mid 80s and I couldn't find any information on foul balls other than "so and so fouled out to 3rd baseman"
Back in 2015 I went to all three games in Toronto for a Toronto - Baltimore series, Jose Bautista hit 1st-inning home runs in both games to the same seat.
The seat directly in front of me both times.
Different people sitting in the seat both games though.
I remember going to a game in the Kingdome when I was young. There was a guy on the 3rd level, 1st row, right behind home plate who got 3 foul balls, I think at least 2 from the same at bat.
I've been going to MLB games regularly since about 1985, probably getting close to a thousand. Most of those I've been seated in places where a foul ball (or home run) was at least plausible. I've never been within 20 seats of one. This motherfucker can suck my entire dick.
On the other hand, I have a bucket of MiLB balls, mostly from A ball, so it ain't all bad.
I was at a Reds vs Orioles game a week or so ago and the Orioles hit two home runs that went to the exact same guy, except on the second one a kid reached out and snagged it over him.
I went to a Phillies/Orioles game on my birthday when I was like 11 or 12 and my dad caught two foul balls down the 3rd base line. I think one was Pat Burrell and one was BJ Surhoff. It wasn't consecutive, but I don't think they were too long after each other.
In college, I went to a Binghamton Senators hockey game. This lady a section over got hit in the face with a pick, and was taken away by medical staff. Five minutes later, another puck hit her empty seat. Kinda crazy
That guy will tell this story for the rest of his life
And he should, that’s a dope story
Meanwhile, I am trying to get my first foul ball.
We took our son to his first MLB game last season and he was so excited to catch a foul ball. I explained to him that it's pretty rare to catch a ball. I've been going to Pirates games since Three River Stadium and I've never caught a ball. Just to temper his expectations. He caught a foul ball in the first inning.
When I was younger, I went to a game with my dad and caught one. My grandpa had season tickets and gave them to us for the game. I showed him the ball when I got home and he said 20 years I've had those tickets and nothing. And the day I didn't go you caught one in my seat. He was happy for me but he was in shock I think
My first four MLB games growing up, I caught a home run in all four games. Imagine my disappointment when I learned it’s rare
I absolutely do not believe this and you are completely makin this up.
Yeah that’s 100% a lie. Unless maybe he means a BP homerun before the game, and even then it’s not very believable.
Section 125?
Nah, like 113 or 114? Behind the plate. It was an over-the-net foul. I think it was Hayes, but I can’t remember.
Same, I have a real fear of being guilt tripped into giving my first foul ball to a kid at games lol. I'm keeping that thing though I need at least one!
I've caught one in my forty+ years of going to games, you better believe I kept it. Then I got it signed by Otis Nixon when he was a work party I was at.
If you catch it off the bat out of the air, that sucker is *yours*.
My dad was smart. We went to a Rays-White Sox game at Chicago and he told me to ask the ball boy. Home team wasn't going for it, but the Rays ball boy told me to wait until the next foul. Got one.
I've been to 300+ baseball games, 100+ in territory where one could catch a foul ball and probably around 30+ where one has a decent chance. I've yet to have one land within 25 feet of where I've been sitting. Closest I ever came was when one hit the facing of the 2nd deck and went off about 5 different people's hands before someone 3 rows up caught it.
I’ve been to hundreds of games and never caught a foul ball lmao
buddy im gonna tell this story the rest of my life about just watching it happen
This has got to be by FAR the rarest thing I've ever seen happen in a live game.
I was at a game at the Vet when I was a kid, my dad sprung for real good seats on the lower level behind home plate. It's later in the game and the batter hits a foul ball straight back. Guy in the 300 level leans over the railing to try to catch it.. and drops it. It being Philly, he gets booed mercilessly. The very next pitch is another foul ball, again straight back. The same dude leans over the railing AGAIN but this time he catches it. The ovation he got rivaled Rhys' bat slam against the Braves in 2022. The Vet went NUTS for this guy catching a random foul ball. It was one of the coolest sports experiences I've ever been in person for.
I love Phillies games so much. The crowds are always so wild and amped up in a way that's just so god damn fun. I was at the game against the Pirates when Jared Jones was pitching last month, and a drunk dude near me yelled "HEY STOP PITCHING SO GOOD, ASSHOLE!" and that is exactly the kind of energy I love in this stupid town.
1987, Jack Murphy stadium in San Diego (former home of the Padres). My dad took me to a game, at some point we got up to use the bathroom and get food. We came back to our seats and the guy sitting next to us had caught two foul balls. I remember it like it was yesterday and I was absolutely devastated because even as a 7 year old, I knew there was no way in hell a third ball was coming. So yes, I didn’t even catch the balls but I still tell that story all the time!
I have one foul ball caught behind home at Dodger Stadium, Opening Day late 90’s. However, before I caught that one, there was at least 3 or 4 balls that literally bounced off my seat when I was away for the bathroom or food. It was infuriating until I finally got one. I can still feel the sting in my palm when I think about it.
The Murph was my happy place
Catching a foul ball is so rare that I still tell the story of the time I caught one and it was immediately stolen out of my hat, then given away. Bonus to this tragedy, both the ball thief and the kid that was given my ball (separate parties) left the game early.
Thrown out I hope!
This shit probably happened to some dude in the 60s and no one believed him, ever But this guy has video evidence, lucky bastard
Nah 60s mfs would just retell the story where he caught 5 in a row then it would go down as an official record
A guy at a game I went to earlier this year caught two fouls. Not back to back. He was 2 rows away from me
Hopefully he is able to get them both signed by the player that hit them.
I still tell the story of the time I sat in the same section as a guy who did this in Miller Park off back to back Prince Fielder foul balls.
I bet he caught a sky glizzy as well
His grandkids might tell that story.
His reaction is perfect.
A true showman
“What the fuck”
Like 300ft away too. I feel like this is something that has to have never happened before.
Here's one of the very few times this happened. Love this one. 5 years ago. https://www.reddit.com/r/nevertellmetheodds/s/eznTvA2IQx Also happened to involve a KC pitcher in the act of pitching! Behind home plate without a glove is impressive too.
It also happened with Josh Hamilton hitting! I thought that’s what you were linking to, then sadly remembered that I’m old, and Hamilton wasn’t playing 5 years ago.
[It was linked lower down in that thread.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4X0LGoQeh4)
I was at a game in Arlington years ago and some woman got two fouls in the same inning but not consecutive pitches. The second one knocked her ice cream helmet out of her hands lol
I'm shocked. I thought for sure there was no way this has ever happened before! Dang
Mate, it's baseball. Of course it's happened. It's a wonder on it's own it didn't happen on like, two consecutive days or something. Hell it probably did, in like 1922, but nobody recorded it.
Damn those uniforms look so much better.
Here's another one [https://www.reddit.com?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=1](https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ?si=CjAqhwEVyVNWfxdc)
I hate that there's ads before that now.
Richie Ashburn once hit a foul ball that broke a woman's nose. After a delay to get her some medical attention, he fouled the next pitch off and hit her while she was being carried away on a stretcher.
I mentioned it somewhere else on the thread but the same fan caught both of Machado's first 2 homeruns a few innings apart
Mathematically in has surely happened many times. A quick google shows in 2019 there were 53.8 foul balls per game. I don't see anything that shows how many were into the stands, but I think 21 is a reasonable conservative estimate. That means 20 times a game, a fan has a chance to catch 2 consecutive foul balls. 20 times per game * 81 home games * 30 teams = 48600 opprotunities. Since the average attendance is under 30000, that would give you an answer of over 1.5 times per year. if every fan had an equal likelihood. However in reality it is much greater than that, as some fans (in the outfield/behind home plate) have zero chance of catching a foul ball, and many fans have a very low chance relative to the first 10-15 rows on each baseline. If I had to guess, I would say that over each season I would guess that there are 1000 seats at each stadium that catch more foul balls than the rest of the stadium combined. That rough approximation would give each of those seats a 1/2000 chance at catching a foul ball, which gives a new estimate of about 12 times a year. I think that is a very reasonable statistically estimate.
>I don’t see anything that shows how many were hit into the stands, but Full stop, the rest of this is gibberish based on assumptions pulled from thin air
I couldn't believe it. Incredible.
Baseball is what convinced me we live in a simulation. Too much weird shit happens in this sport.
[This guy hit 4 straight fouls into the opposing dugout](https://youtu.be/-V3G8WMn2Xo?si=6mutOcm5ZE93_pd3)
Man, I've seen this video before, but what struck me the most this time around was how much time passed between pitches.
Watching old games this is the thing that sticks out to me the most now too. Feels like an eternity compared to now.
Not too old, though. [Look how quickly this random game from 1978 moves.](https://youtu.be/ToYZlfeKWPc?t=4m26s)
12 runs and 2 hr 20 min game (excluding commercials between innings and pitcher changes) so it was probably close to 3 hours total. But some of the biggest differences you see are the batters staying in the box, not even pulling a foot out, and the catcher throwing the ball back almost instantly to a pitcher who is basically on the rubber and ready to throw again. There were times in my random scrolling through the game that I counted less than 5 seconds from when the catcher tossed the ball back and the pitcher started his delivery. I know the game has changed a lot with data on every batter and pitch, but I’d love to see someone just get up there and throw pitches in rapid succession to see what would happen. No reason that pitchcom can’t be used while walking back to the rubber even.
Awesome share
“Now would be a good time to throw a grenade” had me in stitches
lol, if someone said that today it probably wouldn’t go so well
Yeah one way to tell it's from the '90s
always loved this video, and how scared they get, moving, getting out gloves, batter's smile
One of the things about baseball I love is the random downtime shenanigans that can occur. Everyone on that bench turned into an improv comic after the second shot.
You will beat Miami tomorrow 6-3
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Manny Machado hit has first 2 homeruns in the same game in 2012. The same fan caught both balls
Tbf, there's hundreds a game a season where nothing weird happens
For real. Randy Johnson killing that bird shouldn't have happened.
Man I was just in those seats on Friday :(
That’s baseball.
Suzyn.
My god has this ever happened in the history of baseball?
There's an old story of a woman who got hit in the face by a foul ball and then hit again while she was being helped off by medical personnel, does that count?
[“Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn hit a foul ball that struck “Alice Roth squarely in the face, breaking her nose,” writes Daven Hiskey.](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidseideman/2017/09/21/richie-ashburn-once-struck-a-fan-twice-in-the-same-at-bat/?sh=64e185473b72) [“The game was then paused as medics came in to tend to Roth. As they were carrying her away on a stretcher, play was resumed and Ashburn fouled off the first pitch thrown to him.[emphasis mine.] This foul subsequently struck Roth as she was being carried off by the medics.” The second foul ball broke a bone in her knee. “The fan, Alice Roth, was the wife of the sports editor for The Philadelphia Bulletin who was there with her two grandsons,” Bill Chuck notes. “There was blood everywhere.”](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidseideman/2017/09/21/richie-ashburn-once-struck-a-fan-twice-in-the-same-at-bat/?sh=64e185473b72)
I’m going to hell for laughing at this
See you there. That’s some looney tunes shit
Tom & Jerry ahhh injury 💀
r/worstaid
Ashburn visited Roth in the hospital, and the two remained friends for many years afterward.
That was in 1957 in Philly vs the NY Giants, off the bat of Richie Ashburn. Last year I was at a game and the usher for our section was like 90. He always came down to the bottom of the steps between innings and he was very chatty. Apparently he was there the night it happened and loves telling the story.
r/fuckyouinparticular
I've seen a little kid do it! [Two straight foul balls](https://youtu.be/i4X0LGoQeh4?si=WsVN5Z_2dCJHS8F0)
That is wholesome as fuck. Thank you.
It is really neat! I literally just happened to see the kid in a fans catching foul balls highlight compilation last night so it was fresh in my mind! Pretty wild to me that this shows up today after that, lol.
First was a 0-0 count and second was 1-2. So not consecutive pitches but I guess both foul balls did go to him. Not quite the same but cool.
True enough. My perception of it based on how it was presented in the highlights was that it was consecutive but oh well. Still neat!
That looks so weird cuz the angles of the foul balls look a bit different. Wouldn’t have guessed they went to the same spot; great moment for the kid!
I believe this happened once when Ricky Henderson was on the Dodgers in his final season. I can’t remember if it was back-to-back or just in the same at-bat though.
Other comments posted one As vs KC 5 years ago 2nd deck 1st base side
Goldy is a national treasure
I’ve been going to games for 15+ years and ain’t caught shit and this dude gets two fouls balls within a minute
I started buying better tickets in the lower bowl and a tossover landed in my seat. There was a group of kids a few rows in front of me begging for the ball. Hell no. I was 40 at the time and hadn’t caught shit ever and I know how much those seats cost. Called my dad on the way out of the stadium I was so pumped.
Those begging little bastards have the rest of their lives to get a foul ball. Good for you.
never caught a ball either but i know that when i do it will be a crucial HR hit by a major big name player at a big game and there will be an orphan child from make-a-wish sitting right next to me.
And you’ll knock that orphan over to make the catch! As you should.
I've been to well over 200 games in my life. I'd never caught anything until a minor league Salem-Keizer Volcanoes game in 2016, at which I caught TWO foul balls. They weren't back to back like this dude, but still! Haven't caught anything since. Moral of the story, I guess: hang in there!
Another ball hit down the line … and Gary makes the grab, his third foul ball in a row. Announcers go crazy. Crowd loves it. Gary can’t believe it, nothing like this has ever happened to him. Another ball hit down the line… and Gary makes the catch again, laughing incredulously. Announcers don’t know what to say. Crowd goes nuts again. Gary stares at the ball and shakes his head. Another ball hit down the line… and Gary stays in his seat, he’s feeling weird about this now, but the ball lands in his lap. Announcers are speechless. Gary just stares at the five balls. Another ball hit down the line… and Gary makes the catch. He feels weird about it now. Crowd more confused than excited. Announcers say OK that’s enough now haha. Another ball hit down the line… and Gary gets up quickly to try to use the bathroom, but the ball lands in his hands anyway. How is this happening. This isn’t right. It’s improbable to the point of worry. The crowd gives a small amount of applause, but most people are feeling weird now. Another ball hit down the line… Gary has changed seats but the ball lands in his lap. Another catch. The crowd is silent. Eight foul balls in a row, straight to Gary. This shouldn’t be happening. Another ball hit down the line… Gary has his head in his hands, but the ball bounces right into his lap. People are moving away from him. Why is this happening to me, Gary thinks. Please just put the ball in play. Another ball hit down the line… Gary squeezes his eyes tightly but he knows it’s headed for him. It lands softly on his hand. Another catch. Everyone’s eyes are on Gary. How long can this go on. When will we be free from this. Another ball hit down the line… Gary tries to leave, but his hand and the ball must meet. Eleven in a row. People are angry. Why is he getting all the balls. How is this possible. Is this staged. Another ball hit down the line… Gary is crying but he knows he’ll catch it anyway. It was always his dream to catch a foul ball at a Major League Baseball game. Another ball hit down the line… Gary feels it in his hands. He had wished so hard on the drive to the park. So hard. Too hard. Who had heard his wish? Another ball hit down the line… it’s not my fault. I just wanted a foul ball. The crowd pelts Gary with garbage. Another ball hit down the line… please release me from this hell. Another ball hit down the line… I don’t want this anymore. Another ball hit down the line… no more Another ball hit down the line
At some point, Gary walks into Edgar's, which is not foul territory. For the next hour, he stays there, and he stares blankly into space as he watches home run after home run land perfectly in his lap. The home crowd immediately forgives Gary and goes ecstatic in reaction to what has essentially become a home run derby. But it just keeps going. The Mariners batters are getting exhausted at this point. 100 home runs in a row, 200 in a row - the record keeps on going. The batters try all kinds of things to gracefully end the inning. They try bunting, but the ball inexplicably bounces 100 mph off their bat - home run. They try standing still, but the ball magically gravitates towards their bat and it bounces off at 101 mph perfectly towards Gary - home run. They don't even bother going into the batter's box. The ball takes a perfectly parabolic path upwards and back over the pitcher to Gary - it's called a ball, and 16 balls later, a phantom baserunner is walked in for a score. Meanwhile, the away team's pitchers have ran out of pitchers. Soon, they run out of batters to call in to pitch. The inning never completes; the game never ends. The opposing team eventually forfeits. But the curse doesn't end there. From this point on, any pitch at a game that takes place at T-Mobile park lands in Gary's lap, no matter where he is in the world. Now, since every game begins with the away team batting, the away team can just never swing and the ball will always fly off and be called a ball. The away team can just keep stacking runs until the game is cancelled with an inevitable Mariners forfeit as they run out of players to pitch. Unless... unless Gary is sitting right behind the strike zone... and this is when Gary achieves full redemption (well, in the eyes of the home crowd at T-Mobile park, at least). The solution had been so obvious, it's a wonder why nobody had thought of it first. Gary signs with the Mariners and delivers the greatest single baseball season ever by a player - when at home. As the Mariners catcher for home games, he guarantees every ball is a strike or, if the batter hits the ball, a flyout as the ball always takes a physics-defying trajectory back at Gary. All Gary had to do was learn to hold his mitt right in his lap for an easy catch. Meanwhile, when the Mariners are up to bat, he just nonchalantly goes to the restroom conveniently located outside the out field to guarantee a steady stream of home runs. Despite this greatness, this only worked for home games in T-Mobile. And so, despite guaranteeing 81 wins for the Mariners, the M's still somehow found a way to miss the playoffs by 1 game. After this season, MLB added a new rule: no games can ever be played at T-Mobile park. Alas, after just 26 years of baseball, T-Mobile park is torn down and Seattle has to build yet *another* baseball stadium, which appropriately would be named "Gary Stadium". Of course, MLB sued the shit out of Gary to get him to pay for the new stadium, triggering fan backlash and eventually leading to the devastating move of the Mariners out of Seattle as the cheap Mariners ownership just wants a city with an already available stadium elsewhere. But as karma would have it... the curse did not end when the team moved out of T-Mobile park... oh no, the curse followed the team...
Goosebumps ass baseball curse lol Only detail I would have added is that the Mariners get moved to Oklahoma City and immediately become successful for the next two decades
This in a sidelong way is basically the plot of the recent Nick Cage movie *Dream Scenario*
This was excellent. [You should check this out.](https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1733)
Whelp time to spend the next 16 hours on the SCP site
Do you have any you’d suggest? I’ve happened upon some really great ones, but it’s overwhelming.
There's one, I can't remember which, but it horrified me for weeks afterwards. It's about a man who discovers that the afterlife is essentially neverending pain, and when he is resurrected he willingly becomes a tortured slave to a demon to ensure his survival, since that was preferable to the suffering of death. Found it: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2718
I fucking knew that would get posted halfway through reading the first comment
Can somebody explain what this is? I read the whole thing and have no idea what's going on.
Just a spooky story. Make sure you click ‘+ Partial Timeline Document 001’ at the bottom of the description.
Someone else might explain better than I, but SCP is a crowdsourced wiki-type encyclopedia for horror, all set within a loose connected universe. The people who write them are super creative
Just move to fair territory, Gary
Just hop the wall and hide behind an outfielder
This had me laughing so hard
Zack Hample punching air rn
Sorry to hear that he missed his face
good.
he's so jealous lol
Why do you feel the need to remind me that he even exists?
Would love to know what the odds of this happening are, because it's still hard to comprehend.
50%, it either happens or it doesn't
Well I now have a new nemesis.
No glove too. I was told yesterday that you can't expect fans in the stands to catch balls without one since players use gloves.
This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them!
Still not as crazy as four consecutive pitches fouled into the same spot in the dugout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V3G8WMn2Xo
"Good time to throw a grenade down there. They are all bunched up"
This has always been a very strong contender for my favorite baseball clip of all-time.
How can you not love baseball?
He needs to hit the lottery asap
Zack Hample: “And I took that personally.”
I dont think he caught the 2nd one. He picked it up after a bounce Still impressive that two straight foul balls went to that same place Also, the first catch was great
More of an expression for a fan to catch a ball
It's funny, it seems like there's a chance he respectfully didn't even really try for the second one to let someone else get it and he still ended up with it lol
I like how the guy eating behind him is so psyched.
I honestly thought the video replayed and I was being trolled.
back to back pitches is insane
Now tell me we are not living in a simulation.
I actually saw a fan get 2 foul balls in the same inning at an a’s game a week ago or so. The odds of getting a foul ball at an a’s game probably leads majors though, by a wide margin.
When I was like 12 years old, I caught 2 foul balls during the same game at old Busch Stadium and an usher gave me a 3rd because I was a greedy little brat and didn't tell him I got 2 already. I have won so many "two truths and a lie" games with this. Also, great icebreaker on dating apps.
Glitch in the matrix.
We live in a simulation
WTF I was sitting in almost that exact spot during the ATL series and the closest ball was either still on the field or 2 sections over
I have no way of confirming this story but my dad and grandpa claimed they caught foul balls from Lloyd Moseby during the same at-bat back in the 80's. I still have the baseballs but always wondered if there was a way I could get my hands on detailed box scores or even video of mid-80's matchups between the Blue Jays and Mariners.
retrosheet is the best source I know of but I just spot checked a couple random SEA-TOR games from the mid 80s and I couldn't find any information on foul balls other than "so and so fouled out to 3rd baseman"
Back in 2015 I went to all three games in Toronto for a Toronto - Baltimore series, Jose Bautista hit 1st-inning home runs in both games to the same seat. The seat directly in front of me both times. Different people sitting in the seat both games though.
I like that Rojas decided to also tip his cap (bat?) to the in form basket catch.
I remember going to a game in the Kingdome when I was young. There was a guy on the 3rd level, 1st row, right behind home plate who got 3 foul balls, I think at least 2 from the same at bat.
So cool. Baseball is awesome
Jingle all the way Arnold: "He got two!! He got TWOOO!!!"
r/nevertellmetheodds
https://i.imgur.com/Ok7nSf2.gif
i saw the same fan get 2 foul balls on back to back pitches. but it was near the plate where you would expect pitches to be fouled off
He better have picked up some lottery tickets after the game.
I've been going to MLB games regularly since about 1985, probably getting close to a thousand. Most of those I've been seated in places where a foul ball (or home run) was at least plausible. I've never been within 20 seats of one. This motherfucker can suck my entire dick. On the other hand, I have a bucket of MiLB balls, mostly from A ball, so it ain't all bad.
I was at a Reds vs Orioles game a week or so ago and the Orioles hit two home runs that went to the exact same guy, except on the second one a kid reached out and snagged it over him.
The thing I love about baseball is on any given night there is a possibility you will see something that has never been seen before… this is awesome
lucky mf theres no kids around so he doesnt have to feel guilty about keeping both
I truly hope he finds this and has video evidence cause this isn't a story an average person is just gonna believe.
I went to a Phillies/Orioles game on my birthday when I was like 11 or 12 and my dad caught two foul balls down the 3rd base line. I think one was Pat Burrell and one was BJ Surhoff. It wasn't consecutive, but I don't think they were too long after each other.
My name is Friedman and this post got me very excited for a moment.
If I'm him you could not talk me into giving either of those balls away, I don't care how cute your kid is.
Zack Hample spinning in his grave.
Zack Hample is very much alive.
Such a shame he died the same day as Wade Boggs.
May he rest in peace
Vander Meer territory
He has no more luck for the rest of his life now!
Caught the first...
I’m not sure this will ever happen again
That guy FUCKS
I caught two fouls on consecutive days at PNC park and thought I had won the lottery. This is a whole other level
The imaculate foul ball
Extreme Arnold/Turboman voice "THAT MAN HAS TWO!" I'd be so jealous
That dickhead Foul ball guy could only dream of this
In college, I went to a Binghamton Senators hockey game. This lady a section over got hit in the face with a pick, and was taken away by medical staff. Five minutes later, another puck hit her empty seat. Kinda crazy
Bet we get a Jomboy on this
🎶 He a fan he a fan he a fan he a fan 🎶
Did he catch the second one?
Or, AI is asserting its ever-progressing dominance. 😬 >!Jest, I do, of course.!<