OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

[bigtruck260]

Re: OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

SHHHHH. There are alot of them that read this board.

Actaully, I think it's a pretty cool hobby to be a ballhawk. You need to have time, dedication and be fearless. Most of them are pretty nice guys, but every now and then you run into one from out of town in the bleachers...wearing a CUBS uniform.

[LastingsMilledge85]

Re: OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

I don't have a problem if someone wants a ball. Every game I go to I would like to get a ball, but rarely happens. I'm not going to harrass players constantly or swipe a ball intended for someone else. If you get a ball just be happy you got one, and be done with it. But I'm not going to play ball cop it really isn't that big of a deal. The bottom line is that the "ballhawk" or "happy youngster" really is an immature adult.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

I think a lot can be said about a grown man that runs around ballparks changing shirts and hats to accomodate the playing teams, bugging the heck out of players for balls, and goes by the names of "ballhawk" and "happy youngster".

This probably feeds into your image of "ballhawks", Lastings, but, while it may not be this way in some cities, at Wrigley Field, many of the ballhawks take the name seriously...maybe too seriously. It's no big deal to me who calls themselves a ballhawk, but a few years ago, the Sun-Times did a brief interview with a Wrigley regular who referred to himself as a "ballhawk" in the interview. The next day, not all, but several of the guys on the street were standing around, seething, because this guy, notorious for asking players for baseballs, had the temerity to refer to himself as a "ballhawk" The Wrigley crowd frowns on begging (asking players for baseballs) and celebrates catching them (to them, earning them). It's become a macho thing with much of the Waveland Avenue crowd...some of these guys need to spend more time hanging out and having fun, and less time grousing over what constitutes a "ballhawk".

Dave M.
Chicago area

[LastingsMilledge85]

Re: OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

That's basically what I was getting at in a nut shell. If you call yourself a "ball hawk", really listen to yourself. It sounds sad and pathetic sorry. Like I said I don't have a problem with someone getting a ball, but when you make it a goal to load up with them per game, it's really sad and pathetic.

[frikativ54]

Re: OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

These baseball players think we're all wannabe's, folks. Don't get all soft on them and beat up a fan for handling the situation the way he saw fit? You don't have to agree with the way he handled it (or what he was asking for.....I sure didn't).....but the guy knew what he was doing.

Go to a signing show three or four times in your life. You will soon see that, although there are certainly great guys in the sports world, a lot of them aren't so great. In fact, they are downright selfish and rude, not caring one bit about what you want (ex. asking them to sign a bat on the sweet spot, only to see them turn the dang thing over to spite you and sign the back of the barrel as an example.....I've seen it done!).

You make great points about the selfishness of athletes, especially at shows. In my short life, I have met lots of people. And the rudest of all of them are the athletes, who really take the celebrity to their heads. I'm not talking about all of them, but I find a higher percentage of rude athletes than I do in any other field.

I will never forget my experience with Hunter Pence, when I merely asked for a photo with him, which the show promoter had told me in advance that I was entitled to. He glared at me when I told him I was a big fan,and wouldn't say a word to me.

As soon as I asked for the photo with Pence, he threw up his hands, called for security, and got the wannabe cop to bark at me that I was delaying the flow of the line. Quite an arrogant thing for the then-rookie to do, considering how little he's done compared to a lot of players.

The bottom line is that athletes are not entitled to any ball; they wouldn't get a salary if it weren't for the fans paying for tickets, beer, etc. Yes, it would have been nice for the guy to give the ball back to the Marlin, but it was the fan's property, plain and simple. Athletes aren't owed anything.

[LastingsMilledge85]

Re: OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

And some of the big name players are the most understanding of all. Last year I got to see the whole Mets team because ironically was staying at the same hotel as them. I sat in the lobby, and got a few autographs from players, and the ones that were asked didn't hesitate to sign (Reyes, Pelfrey, Wagner, and Church). All were friendly in the process as well. But I can believe that there are players that have egos. But in their defense, they probably encounter these situations countless times, and get tired of it. I'm not saying it's right of them, but I guess they have their reasons.

[ndevlin]

Re: OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

About 5 years ago, I saw Warren Sapp sitting at the airport lobby right before take off. He was sitting right across from me with no one around. He had just gotten off the phone and I got the guts to go up and ask if I could get a photo with him. He never even looked at me once and said, "I dont do pictures" with a nasty attitude. I stood there for a second because I didnt know what to do next and he continued to sit there looking away from me. So I just walked off. Ever since then I always thought he was the biggest d-bag ever.

I found it odd though when I sat back down, a non-white person that worked at the airport(custodian or something) came up to him and they shook hands and talked for a while. So who knows, maybe doesnt like white folks

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: OT : Marlins rookie pays fan 'ransom' for HR ball

You make great points about the selfishness of athletes, especially at shows. In my short life, I have met lots of people. And the rudest of all of them are the athletes, who really take the celebrity to their heads. I'm not talking about all of them, but I find a higher percentage of rude athletes than I do in any other field.

I will never forget my experience with Hunter Pence, when I merely asked for a photo with him, which the show promoter had told me in advance that I was entitled to. He glared at me when I told him I was a big fan,and wouldn't say a word to me.

As soon as I asked for the photo with Pence, he threw up his hands, called for security, and got the wannabe cop to bark at me that I was delaying the flow of the line. Quite an arrogant thing for the then-rookie to do, considering how little he's done compared to a lot of players.

The bottom line is that athletes are not entitled to any ball; they wouldn't get a salary if it weren't for the fans paying for tickets, beer, etc. Yes, it would have been nice for the guy to give the ball back to the Marlin, but it was the fan's property, plain and simple. Athletes aren't owed anything.

Hey Les!!!

Haven't seen any cracks from you in quite awhile......thought we lost you. Nice to see you back.

Regards,

Steve