Foul Ball

Shirley related this story to me last night as we watched the Dodgers beat the Diamond Backs in extra innings.

Desiree, a friend of Shirley's from work, told Shirley about taking her son to his first major league baseball game. The boy was ten at the time, and he was thrilled to death to finally be in the big house and seeing his heroes up close. He would ask her repeatedly if he might catch a ball, and he dreamed about the prospect of catching such a souvenir.

Desiree, on the other hand, was eight months pregnant with her second child, and was almost ready to cancel. But she wanted her son to enjoy the experience of a big league baseball game, so she gathered up her resolve and they went to the game together. They had seats down the right field line in the outfield, several rows up from the playing field.

As luck would have it, the game went into extra innings. Desiree was uncomfortable and tired, but she stayed on for the enjoyment of the boy, whose interest and enthusiasm had not abated during the long contest.

In the 14th inning, a ball was hit down the right field line but landed foul. Desiree sat in the hard stadium chair, her thoughts elsewhere. As the ball rolled down the foul territory and onto the grass in front of their seats it happened: her son bolted from his seat, ran down the steps, and vaulted over the railing. Out on the field, as the crowd cheered, the little guy ran and grabbed the ball and returned to the rail, where he was assisted over the barrier with the help of the fans seated nearby. He then ran back to his mom and sat down excitedly, the great prize held tight in the little hands. It had all happened so fast; Desiree sat stunned.

Then the security guards came walking down the aisles to arrive together at their seats.

As her son sat quiet and frightened, Desiree began to cry; she had visions of police stations and uncomfortable hours spent in unfriendly places with her boy and unborn child. They were asked to leave their seats, and the guards escorted them up the aisle as Desiree's condition was now evident to all.

At the security office it was a different story. They could not ignore people going out on the field, and their response showed they were serious about enforcing that ban, but everyone appreciated the pregnant mom who stayed at the game for 14 innings so her son could enjoy the experience.

As for the ball? The boy was allowed to keep it. It was a memorable day at the ballpark, in more ways than one.


Laudizen King