-
8 Attachment(s)
Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
First of all, I would have posted this sooner, but I wanted to have the ball in hand and the day I received the ball I left for a vacation with my family.
I happen to be on the phone with a friend who used to frequent this site (Steve Mears) while the Ranger game was on TV and we were talking about my Josh Hamilton 2008 road jersey I picked up off ebay and how I was able to photomatch it to the front of a Sports Illustrated.
I was telling Steve how much I like Hamilton and how he had hit a home run in the game tonight in Baltimore already. Just then, BANG! He hits ANOTHER one. A kid (over 18 years of age) caught the ball and they were showing a close up shot of him on TV.
Just then I was thinking wow, I actually have a friend who's at the game tonight in Baltimore. Steve asked if I could call or e-mail him. Steve was telling me WHAT IF Josh Hamiltonhits 4 home runs tonight??" I was like "Yeah, that won't happen, but having an authentic home run ball of his to display with my Sports Illustrated cover photomatched jersey SURE would be cool!" Also, this was his third home run in a row if you count the home run from the previous night. Steve insisted I e-mail my friend and give it a shot. As he said, what's the chance of having this opportunity again, a friend at a game all the way across the states, where a guy I collect hit a home run in a multi-homer game? AND, I can identify the fan who caught the ball?
So I e-mailed my friend we then connected over the phone. Luckily for me, I had Tevo'd the game.I rewound it to the close up of the kid, clicked a screen shot picture of him,emailed it to my friend's cell phone and asked him to "GO FIND" this kid where Josh hit the home run. He said he'd give it a shot.
About 10 minutes goes by, and my phone rings. It's my friend at the game. HE FOUND THIS KID, PROUDLY CLINGING ONTO THAT HAMILTON HOME RUN BALL. My friend knew about how much I would offer so he negotiated a cash deal for the ball. Then my friend, knowing that having proof was paramount, drew up a letter of affidavit and took some pictures of the kid's ID and the ball. HE GOT THE BALL FOR ME!!! His second home run of the night.
Then, the truly incredible part happened. Or so I thought. While my friend was having this kid sign the letter to finish the deal, Josh Hamilton hit a THIRD home run. Now it was a seriously good night, having one of his home runs from a three home run game!
So after my friend calls me and tells me "It's a done deal, I have yourhome run ball for you", I called back Steve. I told him what I had pulled off on his suggestion. He again jumped at me with "BILL, it's the 8th inning and Baltimore can't keep the Rangers off the bases. HAMILTON WILL GET UPONE MORE TIME IN THE TOP OF THE NINTH. HOLD YOUR BREATH. IF HE HITS ANOTHER HOME RUN, YOU'LL HAVE A MAJOR PIECE OF HISTORY!"
I laughed it off and figured again, what are the odds? Forget it. In any case,I was Tevo'ing the game so I would have it on tape. We weren't watching every second of the game, and lost track of the time.
Then suddenly my phone rings. I missed the call. I saw it was Steve. My heart started beating. I quickly hit redial thinking something happened, otherwise WHY would he be calling me back?
The last thing I remember is the ringing in my ears as he answered, screaming in my ear "YOU CRAZY LUCKY (enter a word that closely rhymes with"bass" and "heard"), JOSH HAMILTON HIT A SIDE-ARMED 0-2 PITCH OVER THE CENTER FIELD WALL!!! HE DID IT!!! YOU HAVE A PIECE OF HISTORY!!!!"
I can't wait to get this ball and take it to a signing one day and have Josh Hamilton sign it for me in person. I will tell him what it is, and show him allof the proof. I can't wait to hear his reaction. I'm simply numb, on cloudnine.
This whole thing ranks up there with my Rose bat. A bit of luck never hurts.
The first two pics were taken just before the bill of sale was signed (4th or 5th inning).
The last two pics are when I received the ball and bill of sale.
I blacked out the name and ID of the seller.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
One last thing I forgot to mention. When I received the ball, I saw a huge dirt mark on the side panel. Much darker looking than from the initial pics I received.
I watched the at bat again and just before the home run, the O's catcher tried to pick off the runner at first and threw the ball into the dirt, then it skipped off the bag. I guess the pitcher or ump never asked to replace the ball.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
It's a great story!
As far as paper works and hi-res pictures from the "act of catching that HR baseball" - those are all good and so forth. But, there will be doubt!
(for having season ticket at Yankee stadium - field level outfield) I know more than enough fans and close friends who have HR baseball in their possession - Arod, Jeter, Cano, Posada and so forth. Most of them think they have valuable item on hand - to some extend, they do. But then again, it is all hearsay to everybody else.
it is a sad truth but that exactly what it is.
When are they going to put authenticator in the stand where potential HR baseballs will be landed? I know I would pay premium for those!
(And yes, I know the Tigers are the only team so far who are authenticating HR baseballs)
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Incredibe piece of history! Congrats. A collection centerpiece. I have one of only seven authenticated baseballs thrown by Randy Johnson for his 300th win which is a centerpiece of my collection!
Congrats again.
-
4 Attachment(s)
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
marino13
It's a great story!
As far as paper works and hi-res pictures from the "act of catching that HR baseball" - those are all good and so forth. But, there will be doubt!
(for having season ticket at Yankee stadium - field level outfield) I know more than enough fans and close friends who have HR baseball in their possession - Arod, Jeter, Cano, Posada and so forth. Most of them think they have valuable item on hand - to some extend, they do. But then again, it is all hearsay to everybody else.
it is a sad truth but that exactly what it is.
When are they going to put authenticator in the stand where potential HR baseballs will be landed? I know I would pay premium for those!
(And yes, I know the Tigers are the only team so far who are authenticating HR baseballs)
I guess your right, but you could doubt the guy putting the holo on the ball didn't placed it on the right ball and pocketed the real ball. You can add doubt to most any game used items.
Here are a few cool Getty pics of the second home run. You can see the dirt stain and a blurry image of the Oriole logo on the ball.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob L
Incredibe piece of history! Congrats. A collection centerpiece. I have one of only seven authenticated baseballs thrown by Randy Johnson for his 300th win which is a centerpiece of my collection!
Congrats again.
Thanks! It's definitely going to stay as the centerpiece of my collectionfor a long time.
-
2 Attachment(s)
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Someone asked me to post a pic of the ball showing the Oriole 20th anniversary logo.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Nice, I'm curious to know why the boy if he was proudly clinging on to it, decided to sell it. Hope he wasn't coerced into letting it go.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
salmon
Nice, I'm curious to know why the boy if he was proudly clinging on to it, decided to sell it. Hope he wasn't coerced into letting it go.
I wasn't going to get into the purchase price, but it should answer you question. He knew the ball at the time was worth about 1k and was willing to sell around price which is why he was so excited. I offered him $500 and he countered with $1,500. We then agreed to $800. At the time we agreed on the price and I made the purchase I believe this was about market value for a hr ball. At least this was my gut feeling. I did know he would hit two more homers later in the game.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Nice work getting this ball!!! Initially, I thought I read that Josh had the other three but I checked again today and all I can find is he has #3 and #4. Maybe you can convince him that #2 misses it's "brothers" and need to be reunited. Then track down #1 and you have the master set! Loan it out to the Hall of Fame...take it on tour with Josh...your options are endless!
Congrats on tracking it down! Technology is such a wonderful thing, huh?
John
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
swainer
Nice work getting this ball!!! Initially, I thought I read that Josh had the other three but I checked again today and all I can find is he has #3 and #4. Maybe you can convince him that #2 misses it's "brothers" and need to be reunited. Then track down #1 and you have the master set! Loan it out to the Hall of Fame...take it on tour with Josh...your options are endless!
Congrats on tracking it down! Technology is such a wonderful thing, huh?
John
You're 100 percent correct about the technology used to pull this off. Than God for my IPhone and a friend willing to take the time to help me
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
schubert1970
I guess your right, but you could doubt the guy putting the holo on the ball didn't placed it on the right ball and pocketed the real ball. You can add doubt to most any game used items.
Here are a few cool Getty pics of the second home run. You can see the dirt stain and a blurry image of the Oriole logo on the ball.
I know that authenticator can be lazy at times but adding "fraud" to the equation, now that is something I have not seen (two different items with the exact milestone).
$500 was more fair for the baseball - I paid $300 and $200 for a HR baseball from Arod (during his 600th chase) and Jeter, respectively.
Along with the HR baseball, I also have the ticket stub, security's affidavit as he witnessed as such, a hi-res video image from the celebration AND the sellers ARE my friends! I dont have any intention to sell these HR baseballs but when I have a chance to get them signed at a later date, that would be a cool story to tell.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
marino13
I know that authenticator can be lazy at times but adding "fraud" to the equation, now that is something I have not seen (two different items with the exact milestone).
$500 was more fair for the baseball - I paid $300 and $200 for a HR baseball from Arod (during his 600th chase) .
I actually paid him $800. Which I think was a fair price.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Wow! Congrats on the pick-up. I like the uniqueness of the Camden Yard logo. Awesome!
-Joe
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
schubert1970
You're 100 percent correct about the technology used to pull this off. Than God for my IPhone and a friend willing to take the time to help me
I'm sure you're more than happy to by your friend a beer or three for getting the deal done! I would have been worried once #3 and #4 left the yard, the kid would have wanted more. Even with signing the document. I'm assuming your buddy didn't have $800 on him. Or did he go to the ATM?
Great story!!!
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
swainer
I'm sure you're more than happy to by your friend a beer or three for getting the deal done! I would have been worried once #3 and #4 left the yard, the kid would have wanted more. Even with signing the document. I'm assuming your buddy didn't have $800 on him. Or did he go to the ATM?
Great story!!!
Thank god for pay pal.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
salmon
Nice, I'm curious to know why the boy if he was proudly clinging on to it, decided to sell it. Hope he wasn't coerced into letting it go.
I live in Maryland and travel to some O's games. The "boy" in question is no boy. He is a agressive ball hawk. He catches BP home run balls and game home run balls with regularity and has no problem pushing his way in front of ticket holders to catch the ball. When he started doing this years ago he was a boy and wondered where his parents were.
If I buy a ticket to the game and the ball heads to my seat I expect those with tickets around me have equal rights to the ball not a kid running from a different section who is doing it for poaching.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SaintsGeaux
I live in Maryland and travel to some O's games. The "boy" in question is no boy. He is a agressive ball hawk. He catches BP home run balls and game home run balls with regularity and has no problem pushing his way in front of ticket holders to catch the ball. When he started doing this years ago he was a boy and wondered where his parents were.
If I buy a ticket to the game and the ball heads to my seat I expect those with tickets around me have equal rights to the ball not a kid running from a different section who is doing it for poaching.
That would not be happening at the new Yankee stadium. I had seen security confiscated the HR baseball from people who were not belong in the section. They verified it with the ticket presented. And when the ticket doesnt match up, they would be consider as trespass and that's that.
I am with you when it comes to "rights for all in the same section" not those sneaking in!
:D
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
schubert1970
Thank god for pay pal.
Didn't even think of that. Again, technology getting the job done!!!
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
You have a priceless piece of history...especially to us Hamilton fans!
CONGRATS bro.!!
ncb
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
schubert1970
I wasn't going to get into the purchase price, but it should answer you question. He knew the ball at the time was worth about 1k and was willing to sell around price which is why he was so excited. I offered him $500 and he countered with $1,500. We then agreed to $800. At the time we agreed on the price and I made the purchase I believe this was about market value for a hr ball. At least this was my gut feeling. I did know he would hit two more homers later in the game.
I ment to say didn't know he would hit two more homers.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
marino13
That would not be happening at the new Yankee stadium. I had seen security confiscated the HR baseball from people who were not belong in the section. They verified it with the ticket presented. And when the ticket doesnt match up, they would be consider as trespass and that's that.
I am with you when it comes to "rights for all in the same section" not those sneaking in!
:D
You've really seen a ball confiscated like that before? Did they give it to someone else in the section or just keep it? Wow. I'm amazed they would do that. I think it is great but still amazed.
John
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
swainer
You've really seen a ball confiscated like that before? Did they give it to someone else in the section or just keep it? Wow. I'm amazed they would do that. I think it is great but still amazed.
John
This is hearsay, but on talk radio here in Cincinnati a guy called in and said that he saw someone hop over onto the grass where Votto's walk-off grand slam landed and grab the ball. The caller said security escorted the guy out and took the ball from him. Of course, that's a little different because he left the stands...
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
swainer
You've really seen a ball confiscated like that before? Did they give it to someone else in the section or just keep it? Wow. I'm amazed they would do that. I think it is great but still amazed.
John
When the person being escorted out of the section for trespass, they confiscate the baseball and that was all I saw.
what happened to the baseball? Nobody knows!
(but I did see police officer pocketed the HR baseball from the people who jump over to the "bleachers black seats" to snatch the homerun ball. They were ejected and the baseball was confiscated --- at the old yankee stadium)
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
marino13
I know that authenticator can be lazy at times but adding "fraud" to the equation, now that is something I have not seen (two different items with the exact milestone).
$500 was more fair for the baseball - I paid $300 and $200 for a HR baseball from Arod (during his 600th chase)
I just watched the HR on my MLB.TV subscription. The guy grabs the ball and throws one on the field. Are you nervous you were duped? It looks like some other guy hands him a ball to throw back.
Never seen a HR ball with a dirt smudge unless it landed in the bullpen. I did rewind to confirm the throw to 1st by the catcher but if Im negotiating sight unseen I would have been nervous.
If Hamilton hits no more HRs in the game the ball in my mind isn't worth much more than a $100 it 2.
Marino, you paid $200 for a Jeter HR ball and $300 for a ARod HR ball which sounds about right given the uncertainty on Authenticity.
I would have given $100 tops for the Hamilton at the time. Too much doubt until you can research. Now given the historically significant events, and Schuberts research, it looks solid.
Congrats Schubert1970
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Schubert1970, I am still amazed and love your photos and due diligence however I would have been nervous at the time about the huge dirt mark and a switcheroo. Were you nervous you were being duped by this guy? Consider most game used MLB Hologramed balls are balls in the dirt. Glad you got a copy of his ID with photo to go with the game film.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SaintsGeaux
I live in Maryland and travel to some O's games. The "boy" in question is no boy. He is a agressive ball hawk. He catches BP home run balls and game home run balls with regularity and has no problem pushing his way in front of ticket holders to catch the ball. When he started doing this years ago he was a boy and wondered where his parents were.
If I buy a ticket to the game and the ball heads to my seat I expect those with tickets around me have equal rights to the ball not a kid running from a different section who is doing it for poaching.
Forgive me, but I am really confused. First you say he's no boy, but then you call him a kid. How old is he? :confused:
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frikativ54
Forgive me, but I am really confused. First you say he's no boy, but then you call him a kid. How old is he? :confused:
In the video he looks under 25. I'm not much older and while Im a kid I am also technically an adult.
In Schubert1970s 3rd paragraph he says "A kid (over 18 years of age)". That's all we need to know. Legally an adult. I'm not questioning that.
At the time his friend was handed that ball, I would have been nervous that I was being duped with that dirt mark. People rip off other people in this hobby all the time.
I am convinced it was the right ball because in the last 10 minutes I spoke to a friend I met in collecting who actually knows the kid who git the ball and he told me that he threw back his friends ball that was actually autographed because thats all he had and last night marked the 14th HR he caught.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SaintsGeaux
In the video he looks under 25. I'm not much older and while Im a kid I am also technically an adult.
In Schubert1970s 3rd paragraph he says "A kid (over 18 years of age)". That's all we need to know. Legally an adult. I'm not questioning that.
Thanks for the clarification. Makes more sense to me now. :)
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frikativ54
Thanks for the clarification. Makes more sense to me now. :)
Anytime. It's a cool story as Josh Hamilton is one of the greatest ongoing stories in baseball.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SaintsGeaux
Schubert1970, I am still amazed and love your photos and due diligence however I would have been nervous at the time about the huge dirt mark and a switcheroo. Were you nervous you were being duped by this guy? Consider most game used MLB Hologramed balls are balls in the dirt. Glad you got a copy of his ID with photo to go with the game film.
I didn't really care about the dirt mark till I received the ball and watched the at bat again and saw what happened before the HR. Now it makes perfect sense.
As for him throwing a ball back at least from the video I can tell the ball he threw back had a bunch of writing on it. This was also verified by the usher as this guy seems to do this regularly. I guess he doesn't want the home crowd getting on his case if he keeps an opponent’s home run ball.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frikativ54
Thanks for the clarification. Makes more sense to me now. :)
I guess he's a kid depending on our own ages. The older I get 18 seems to look younger and younger.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
marino13
That would not be happening at the new Yankee stadium. I had seen security confiscated the HR baseball from people who were not belong in the section. They verified it with the ticket presented. And when the ticket doesnt match up, they would be consider as trespass and that's that.
I am with you when it comes to "rights for all in the same section" not those sneaking in!
:D
Watching last nights video. This is unreal. Same kid in last nights game in the 2nd inning sprints down about 10 rows, knocks into a Yankees fan, and goes 2 seats into the row and jumps in front of 2 more fans to grab an Adam Jones HR. The camera pulls away so not sure how it all ended up.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SaintsGeaux
I just watched the HR on my MLB.TV subscription. The guy grabs the ball and throws one on the field. Are you nervous you were duped? It looks like some other guy hands him a ball to throw back.
Never seen a HR ball with a dirt smudge unless it landed in the bullpen. I did rewind to confirm the throw to 1st by the catcher but if Im negotiating sight unseen I would have been nervous.
If Hamilton hits no more HRs in the game the ball in my mind isn't worth much more than a $100 it 2.
Marino, you paid $200 for a Jeter HR ball and $300 for a ARod HR ball which sounds about right given the uncertainty on Authenticity.
I would have given $100 tops for the Hamilton at the time. Too much doubt until you can research. Now given the historically significant events, and Schuberts research, it looks solid.
Congrats Schubert1970
Yup!
After the handshake agreement of the price and exchange of the baseball, I also draft up a quick "authenticity / affidavit" letter which included three signatures - the security for the area, the person who caught the HR ball and Me (the new owner of the ball).
If there were marking on the ball, we would have taken pictures of them but like most - it just look minor scruff up where the bat meet the baseball.
Now I am getting these letters draft in advance just in case a sale is happening.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SaintsGeaux
In the video he looks under 25. I'm not much older and while Im a kid I am also technically an adult.
In Schubert1970s 3rd paragraph he says "A kid (over 18 years of age)". That's all we need to know. Legally an adult. I'm not questioning that.
At the time his friend was handed that ball, I would have been nervous that I was being duped with that dirt mark. People rip off other people in this hobby all the time.
I don't understand the whole idea of being duped by another ball. With regards to non MLB authenticated HR balls, the provenance is the key. Even if he changed it, his letter and provenance would basically make the "changed ball" the one that has value. The "real" ball would have no value because he gave the provenance away to the changed ball, effectibely making it worthless.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CollectGU
I don't understand the whole idea of being duped by another ball. With regards to non MLB authenticated HR balls, the provenance is the key. Even if he changed it, his letter and provenance would basically make the "changed ball" the one that has value. The "real" ball would have no value because he gave the provenance away to the changed ball, effectibely making it worthless.
All great points. I think the photo and video evidence backs up the dirt mark to similar location on the ball.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CollectGU
I don't understand the whole idea of being duped by another ball. With regards to non MLB authenticated HR balls, the provenance is the key. Even if he changed it, his letter and provenance would basically make the "changed ball" the one that has value. The "real" ball would have no value because he gave the provenance away to the changed ball, effectibely making it worthless.
I would respectively disagree. If a fake jersey has provenance, it is still a fake jersey and can be proven as such at a later date. The same is the case with a fake home run baseball. Videos and photos might be able to prove it as a fake at a later date too. JMO, but fake balls are worthless, no matter what kind of a letter they come with.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frikativ54
I would respectively disagree. If a fake jersey has provenance, it is still a fake jersey and can be proven as such at a later date. The same is the case with a fake home run baseball. Videos and photos might be able to prove it as a fake at a later date too. JMO, but fake balls are worthless, no matter what kind of a letter they come with.
You are missing my point, by changing the ball and adding a letter to the changed ball, he would have been effectively making the real ball worthless.....
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CollectGU
You are missing my point, by changing the ball and adding a letter to the changed ball, he would have been effectively making the real ball worthless.....
Perfectly said.
-
Re: Josh Hamilton's 2nd home run ball from 4 home run game on 5/8/2012
It looks like Schubert got lucky here and got a really nice piece. I personally would not pay that much for a ball in this case unless the MLB authenticator was sitting right there and slapped a hologram on the ball and I was able to then obtain it from the fan. Almost too risky as there is just not enough time to do your due diligence.
At least in this case Schubert was able to get those high res images and match this up. Imagine if in any of these situations the person that caught the ball did a switcharoo to you and gave you a fake ball. Again, in this case with the high res Schubert grabbed a great piece and who would have ever guessed that two more homers would have come out of this.
Joe