5-16-09 PNC Park

There isn’t much to write about. 

Today was a Saturday and was Nate McLouth All Star bobblehead.  The biggest crowd since opening day was expected.  Here’s the view from General Robinson and Federal Street.

The Pirates made an alteration to their batting practice gate opening starting today.  The gates still opened at 4:30 on Saturday, but center field and right field didn’t open until 5:30 PM, meaning all fans wanting to see batting practice would have to cram into 6 rows across 7 bleacher section in left field.  Not good.

I got ball #1 from Matt Capps during the season ticket holder only portion of batting practice.  That was it for the day.  I got robbed twice by fans who were standing a row ahead of me.  Had they not been there, I would’ve made the catches easily. 

I made my first glaring error of the season.  I had to jump for a home run ball, but I barely got off the ground.  It hit my glove and some other fan got it.  Rule of ballhawking, if a ball hits your glove, you should come away with the ball. 

Left field was getting way to crowded, so I headed over to center field when it opened up.  I still got shut out.  None of the Rockies pitchers were showing me any love.  Not surprising, since I got blacklisted yesterday by a jealous ballhawk snitch who told the Rockies I change my clothes to get more balls.

I tried for a ball at the bullpen and in the first inning from Nate McLouth.  No luck.

Then, the rains came.  The game was delayed for an hour and 37 minutes. 

STATISTICS:
Game:  1 Ball (1 thrown)
Season:  119 Balls (51 hit, 54 thrown, 14 device)
Games:  23 games (20 with BP, 3 without)
Average:  5.17 Balls per Game
Career:  285 Balls
Attendance:  24,496