June 2010
6-29-10 Progressive Field
Another day of snagging at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
I was the first one into the stadium, and despite there being early batting practice, didn’t find any baseballs on my first sweep through the sections. I also checked Heritage Park, where there was nothing.
Upon returning from Heritage Park I spotted a baseball as another ballhawk/autograph hound was picking it up. I was about five seconds too late.
Since the Indians have a new later batting practice schedule, this gave me plenty of time to search. I went up and down every row and searched for about ten minutes before finally happening upon ball #1, hidden in the shadows:
When the Indians began hitting, I would get ball #2 from Shin Soo Choo. It was a home run that I caught on the fly in center field, fully extended in this area:
STATISTICS:
Season: 266 balls (141 hit, 64 thrown, 25 device, 36 found)
Games: 40 games
Average: 6.65 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 3
Career: 844 balls
Streak: 136 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 11,401
6-28-10 Progressive Field
I arrived at Progressive Field early enough to be first in line, however, it wouldn’t matter, as BP wouldn’t even end up beginning until 4:50PM.
I had to wait as the Indians stretched, threw, and took a few rounds of infield.
Additionally, the cages hadn’t been set up early due to thunderstorms that moved through just south of Cleveland around 3-3:30 (the Indians likely took a wait and see approach – it ended up not raining in downtown Cleveland.
So, upon entering, I looked for an easter egg halfheartedly out of force of habit. There was nothing in the seats, so I went over to Heritage Park, where this was waiting:
It was a damp, wet baseball that had likely been there at least a few days. It also was very badly worn, and didn’t look like it was a major league baseball. It may have been hit into the trees sometime during the last week and a half when the Indians were out on the road. After debating on whether to count it or not, I decided to – it is a baseball snagged in an MLB stadium. I reached in an was just able to grab ball #1 without using my ‘Cleveland Stick.’
My second ball came from Shin Soo Choo. He turned and threw a ball to a group of kids in the front row. The ball sailed over their heads and into an empty row about six rows back. I bent over and picked up ball #2.
None of the kids asked for the ball, but I could feel Choo staring at me. I looked, and sure enough, there he was, looking right at me.
I tossed ball #829 to one of the kids in the front row. Choo saw this, whistled at me, took a ball out of his back pocket and fired a ball at me. It was ball #3.
He then ran off the field before I could get his picture to go hit.
I would get ball #4 off the bat of Travis Hafner.
The ball bounced around and went into the tunnel next to the deck.
No one else was in the area, so I raced over to grab ball #10. It turned out that was the last BP home run of the Blue Jays batting practice, because as I returned to my spot, the Blue Jays were running off the field.
Today’s baseballs (9 pictured because #829 was given away):
STATISTICS:
Game: 10 balls (4 hit, 3 thrown, 2 device, 1 found)
Season: 259 balls (136 hit, 63 thrown, 25 device, 35 found)
Games: 39 games
Average: 6.64 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 3
Career: 837 balls
Streak: 135 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 11,577
Ballhawk League 2010 : Week 12
We’ve got a 2010 first time winner this week, and its Greg Barasch. Greg turned a 26 ball performance throughout four games at Citi Field last week.
The highlight of his week was catching this foul ball:
His 2nd of the season, first at his home park of Citi Field, and 8th in his life.
In other news,
*Greg Barasch’s big week bumped Matt Jackson out of the top 5.
*Peter S resigned from the league due to inactivity
*The Happy Youngster has resurfaced, snagging several balls in week 12.
*Week 12′s runner up, Joe Faraguna, also snagged a foul ball this week in Baltimore.
Here’s how week 12 played out:
And the season standings:
(you may want to click on the photo below to enlarge for an easier read)
2010 Ballhawk League Archive:
TOP BALLHAWK:
Week 1: Shawn B 18 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 17)
Week 2: Nick Pelescak 17 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 10)
Week 3: Nick Pelescak 33 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 24)
Week 4: Erik Jabs 18 (Runner Up: Shawn B 16)
Week 5: Zack Hample 44 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 33)
Week 6: Shawn B 25 (Runner Up: Zack Hample 18)
Week 7: Zack Hample 50 (Runner Up: Nick Pelescak 31)
Week 8: Shawn B 24 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 13)
Week 9: Erik Jabs 23 (Runner Up: Nick Pelescak 19)
Week 10: Erik Jabs 29 (Runner Up: Zack Hample 12)
Week 11: Erik Jabs 49 (Runner Up: Nick Pelescak 30)
Week 12: Greg Barasch 26 (Runner Up: Joe Faraguna 11)
6-22-10 Huntingdon Park
I only took one road trip this week, to Huntingdon Park in Columbus OH.
It wasn’t to see a baseball game either – it was to see Dave Matthews Band. It was my 42nd time seeing DMB – and my first of 2010.
I went with my friend and managed to get a spot close to the early entrance gate (for Warehouse fan club members) despite arriving at 4PM.
Video of Halloween:
It took forever to get off the field, 
but it was well worth it.
Overall, I’d rank the setlist in the middle of all of the shows I’ve seen.
STATISTICS: (from DMBAlmanac.com)
Show: 18 songs (not counting 3 song teases)
Ballhawk League 2010 : Week 11
Erik Jabs used the six game home stand at PNC Park to edge out fellow Pittsburgh ballhawk Nick Pelescak for the Week 11 win. Erik snagged 49 balls in week 11, one ball short of Zack Hample’s 2010 Week 7 record of 50.
In other news, Matt Jackson moved into the top 5 with a 14 ball week showing.
Here’s the week 11 standings:
And the season standings:
(you may want to click on the photo below to enlarge for an easier read)
2010 Ballhawk League Archive:
TOP BALLHAWK:
Week 1: Shawn B 18 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 17)
Week 2: Nick Pelescak 17 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 10)
Week 3: Nick Pelescak 33 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 24)
Week 4: Erik Jabs 18 (Runner Up: Shawn B 16)
Week 5: Zack Hample 44 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 33)
Week 6: Shawn B 25 (Runner Up: Zack Hample 18)
Week 7: Zack Hample 50 (Runner Up: Nick Pelescak 31)
Week 8: Shawn B 24 (Runner Up: Erik Jabs 13)
Week 9: Erik Jabs 23 (Runner Up: Nick Pelescak 19)
Week 10: Erik Jabs 29 (Runner Up: Zack Hample 12)
Week 11: Erik Jabs 49 (Runner Up: Nick Pelescak 30)
6-19-2010 PNC Park
Today would be my first Saturday with batting practice at PNC Park. All of the other days featured rain that wiped out BP.
I ran in just behind Nick Pelescak only to be stopped at the bullpen entrance to the left field bleachers by a security working who refused to allow anyone into the bleachers, despite many of us holding our Season Ticket Holder cards. “We have to scan your tickets,” he said nervously as we all glared at him.
In the meantime, three balls flew into the bleachers. I had my eye on one next to the bullpen, but Nick Pelescak put a verbal claim on it, so I would instead look for another ball that hit about three rows in. It paid off.
When the man with the scanner came and finally let us all in, I ran in and found ball #1 in the front row, ball #2 in the front row another section over, and ball #3 in the left field corner.
What a great start!
Ball #4 was a home run hit by Ryan Doumit. It hit in the handicapped seats behind me and popped up in the air, right to me.
Ball #5 was thrown to me by Octavio Dotel. Here he stands and watches another ballhawk use the glove trick. 
STATISTICS:
Game: 9 balls (3 hit, 1 thrown, 5 found)
Season: 243 balls (129 hit, 60 thrown, 22 device, 32 found)
Games: 37 games
Average: 6.57 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 3
Career: 821 balls
Streak: 133 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 38,008
6-18-10 PNC Park
I had the opportunity to watch batting practice on the field today. I had to be in the Pirates administrative offices at 4:15, where I would receive a lanyard and Suite tickets for tonight’s game.
However, the downfall of this opportunity is that the participants must stay in a small 15×15 area or so in center field. So snagging balls isn’t that easy.
STATISTICS:
Game: 8 balls (4 hit, 2 thrown, 1 device, 1 found)
Season: 234 balls (126 hit, 59 thrown, 22 device, 27 found)
Games: 36 games
Average: 6.50 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 3
Career: 812 balls
Streak: 132 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 28,478
6-17-10 PNC Park
Had a good day today at PNC Park.
Shortly after running into the bleachers and finding zero easter eggs, Garrett Jones hit a ground rule double down the line that landed in the section to my right. I ran over and claimed ball #1 as it rolled down the stairs after bouncing off a bleacher.
My second ball was a Ronny Cedeno home run catch. He hit a towering fly ball that I ran a section and a half to my right and made the clean catch in the third row back.
As for the game, the outfield was crowded so I didn’t get close on any of the between inning toss ups from the outfielders.
The Pirates would also go on to lose their eleventh game in a row.
Tomorrow should be an interesting day – I’ll be in the park
extra early – details to come.
Today’s baseballs: (10 are pictured because one was given away)
Sweet spots: (10 are pictured because #804 was given away)
STATISTICS:
Game: 11 balls (8 hit, 1 thrown, 2 device)
Season: 226 balls (122 hit, 57 thrown, 21 device, 26 found)
Games: 35 games
Average: 6.46 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 3
Career: 804 balls
Streak: 131 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 23,170
6-16-10 PNC Park : Pedro Alvarez debut
The Pirates #1 prospect finally arrived in the major leagues. He didn’t hit too many home runs in batting practice, but did hit one that cleared everything and sailed over section 139 in dead center on its way to the river.
As for my day, it got off to a good start.
I found ball #1 laying in the front row in left field when I ran in.
A few minutes later I got ball #2 from assistant pitching coach Ray Searage in left field. 
He did a no look toss that fell about two rows short to me, but no one else was in the vicinity, so I had to to recover and get the ball.
My third ball of the day was a Lastings Milledge home run caught on the fly in this area:
This made toss ups difficult, and the closest I came was probably five feet from a McCutchen toss up in the 5th inning, but it didn’t happen.
By the way, here’s video of Pedro’s first major league at bat:
Here are today’s baseballs:
Sweet spots:
STATISTICS:
Game: 9 balls (4 hit, 3 thrown, 2 found)
Season: 215 balls (114 hit, 56 thrown, 19 device, 26 found)
Games: 34 games
Average: 6.32 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 3
Career: 793 balls
Streak: 130 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 15,218
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