Sunday, September 25, 2011

9/23 & 9/24/11- Reds @ Pirates (PNC Park)

9/23/11
Well this day was filled with rain and cloudy weather. There was no BP, and there wasn't even any players on the field, but I still luckily ended up with a ball. It was tossed to me by an usher that found 2 baseballs, one was tossed to me, and the other was tossed to fellow ballhawk Erik Jabs.

9/24/11
My best game as a ballhawk!
It was my last game of the season, so I was hoping to end the year with a bang. Since it was a Saturday game, the gates opened at 4:30 (Which they should every day). I started the day with 98 lifetime baseballs, 2 away from triple digits!
I found my first ball of the day, which doesn't happen much at PNC anymore, because of the sweepers (ushers).
My second ball of the day and 100th lifetime, was tossed to me by Pirates pitcher Aaron Thompson. I was hoping to get him to sign it, but I couldn't get his attention again.
My third ball was a toss up from Dave Sappelt.
My fourth ball was tossed to me in center field, by an unknown Reds player.
My fifth ball was crazy. Myself and Zac Weiss were down the first base line, when we both called for Francisco Cordero to toss us a ball, I don't know who he was throwing it to, but it took a crazy bounce and hit my chin.
My sixth ball, with a hint from Zac Weiss, was snagged behind the Reds dugout as they were leaving the field after BP.
After BP, I was happy with a career high tying 6 balls!
But I wasn't done! In the top of the second, I snagged Alex Presley's warm-up ball for my seventh and new career high ball of the day.

It sucks that I couldn't upload the picture of my 100th lifetime baseball on here, I will put it on my Facebook though.

SEASON STATS
8 balls at these 2 games.
34 balls at 23 games this season.
1.48 balls per game.
105 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Three Games, One Post

9/7/11 - Astros @ Pirates (PNC Park)
This day was my birthday, I was hoping for a present from the ballhawk gods, and I got it! I snagged three balls at this game.
First, was hit by an unknown Pirate, the ball bounced at the warning track, when I reached over the wall, and it went into my glove.
Second, was hit by Jimmy Paredes, this snag was a ground rule double, that was hit directly at me.
Third, was a toss-up on the Clemente Wall, from Astros coach Doug Brocail.

9/9/11 - Marlins @ Pirates (PNC Park)
Another good day at PNC, snagged four balls.
First, was a toss-up from Marlins pitcher, Brad Hand.
Second, was hit by catcher John Buck, it bounced off a row of bleachers, and I had myself positioned perfectly for the rebound into my glove.
Third, was a toss-up in Section 140, from Burke Badenhop.
Fourth, was hit by John Baker, I was in Section 144, when it was hit very close to me, it looked like it was going higher than it actually did, so I ran up two rows, it orginally fell short, but a lucky bounce near me helped me pick up the ball.

Also, my cousin Josh was at this game, after I snagged the Baker ball, I ran back down to 140, to help Josh get a ball, I got a Marlins pitcher to toss a ball to him, it was either Badenhop or Hensley.

9/13/11 - Cardinals @ Pirates (PNC Park)
This day was slower, but I was content with the two balls I snagged in somewhat weird ways. To start off, I have to say that Cardinals BP is always disappointing, it should be 10 times better than it is, with sluggers with Pujols, Berkman, Holliday, and Molina.
Well, I didn't snag my first ball at this game until around 5:40. It was crazy, I was in 140, I was walking up a few rows where I noticed a ball lodged between a seat, and there was a guy sitting two seats over from it, I don't think he noticed it, well if he would have he would have picked it up, but he just sat there, and then I picked up the ball.
My second ball, was tossed to me by a cop after BP, it was laying on the steps by the bullpen, I asked him if he could grab the ball for me, he did.

SEASON STATS
9 balls at these last 3 games.
26 balls at 21 games this season.
1.24 balls per game.
97 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

*I am obviously three balls away from 100 lifetime, and I will be at 2 of the last 3 Pirates home games, against the Reds, wish me luck!

Friday, August 26, 2011

8/23/11- Brewers @ Pirates (PNC Park)

Sorry, this is over a week late.

Highlight of the day: I met Zack Hample.
What sucked? Everything else. I got shutout, I didn't get any autographs, I really didn't try too.
Whats worse? I had to perfect chance for a ball during the Pirates portion of BP, but they both bounced off my glove, and were snagged by another ballhawk.

SEASON STATS
0 balls at this game.
17 balls at 18 games this season.
Under one ball a game.
88 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

My next game? September 7th, my birthday!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

8/17/11 - Thunder @ SeaWolves (Jerry Uht Park)

I spent 5 days in Erie last week, missing some of the Pirates homestand. I didn't care though, I was happy to be up in Erie, I went to this game, went fishing, and ate lots of food, and worked out.

Anyway, the Erie SeaWolves were playing the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees AA team.
(I'm sorry about this, but the pictures are small and messed up)
After I got into the stadium, I walked out to the outfield walkway to find a ball laying there, I picked it up, and then I saw some players signing down the 3rd base side, so I went down for autographs. That's where I got SeaWolves infielder, Shawn Roof, to sign the ball I found.
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(In the last two games, I've attended in Erie, I've gotten an autograph, and last year a bat.)

Not alot to say about the game, I was focused on trying to get a foul ball, 3rd out ball, or any type of sovenier.

Here is a picture of the stadium during the game from down the first base side.
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I left Erie on Saturday morning, but Friday I bought something really awesome. It was a 36 pack box of 1991 Topps baseball cards.
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I bought it for $5 at a card store. Awesome find, I think.

My next game is the Pirates/Brewers game on Tuesday night, my only game out of the homestand.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

8/5/11- Padres @ Pirates (PNC Park)

Following my 5th shutout of the season, and my strange stats I've put up since the end of June, I was just looking to get on the board early, and get some autographs.
When the gates opened, we ran in, and once again I didn't find any Easter eggs, but I'm pretty sure another ballhawk found one, that doesn't happen much anymore.
I got my first and only ball of the day thrown to me by Jason Grilli.
About a minute after I got that ball the Pirates began leaving the field, as they were, I luckily got Alex Presley to sign my Pirates ball that I've been bringing to games.
And then, when the Padres came out, BP became boring, very boring.
From what I saw, the Padres hit 5 homers ALL of BP. While I was still in the bleachers, I got the Padres all-star closer Heath Bell, to sign my Padres hat. (Which I will display and never wear again).
Then I moved over to sections 139-141 to try for another toss-up. I got Padres pitcher Ernesto Frieri to throw a ball my way, it was thrown directly at me, but I lost it in the sun, and it was a little underthrown.

The Padres won the game 15-5. Now, on Monday as I am writing this, the Padres swept the Pirates. The Pirates are currently on a 10 game losing streak, with a series starting in San Francisco tonight.

SEASON STATS
1 ball at this game.
17 balls at 17 games this season.
1 ball per game.
88 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

By the way, I will miss the Cardinals and Reds series during the next Pirates homestand. I will be in Erie that week, I will be attending another Erie SeaWolves minor league game while I am there. My next MLB game could be August 22nd in Cleveland, but if not. I will be at the Brewers vs. Pirates at PNC the next day.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

8/1/11- Cubs @ Pirates (PNC Park)

Sorry for the late update, folks.
Nothing important here to talk about, I got shutout. Only had 2 or 3 chances to snag a ball.
I got Michael McKenry's autograph finally, after like 3 tries.
My cousin Josh came to the game with me, he snagged 2 balls, both were thrown, one by Kevin Correia, other by Xavier Paul.

SEASON STATS
0 balls at this game.
16 balls at 16 games this season.
1 ball per game.
87 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Saturday, July 23, 2011

7/22/11- Cardinals @ Pirates (PNC Park)

Good thing about this post? Theres pictures!
Only because I am tired of posting pictureless blogs of games, so I am using a friends computer.
Well, this day was hot, very hot. Other than the temperature, it was going to be a great day for ballhawking... Until it started to rain! AGAIN!
So, no BP, for the second game in a row for me.
While trying to get an autograph from James McDonald, I also asked Herbie for a ball, he threw it to me in the bleachers from the bullpen, it was the only ball for me at this game.
After the sun came back out, the tarp was taken off the field.
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...And then it was put back on the field.
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There was another rain delay.
The game was scheduled to begin at 7:35.
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The game was too crowded to move around, so there were no chances for a game ball.
I left the stadium around 9:15.
Below: What I collected at this game.
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SEASON STATS
1 ball at this game.
16 balls at 15 games this season.
1.07 balls per game.
87 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Thursday, July 21, 2011

7/18/11- Reds @ Pirates (PNC Park)

Okay this is my first game after the All-star break, and like I've been wanting for a while I wanted to have a big day.
Would I have it today?
No.
First, I was down on the riverwalk hoping for a Pirates lefty to hit one out, but Pedro Alvarez is the only one who can ever hit them out, but he still isn't back in Pittsburgh yet from his injury. Once again, nothing came out.
Meanwhile, a huge strom was coming through Pittsburgh, it didn't even rain at the stadium, there was a little mist.
Then, once the gates opened, the tarp was on the field and BP was cancelled.
GREAT!
At 5:30, I went to the first base side, where there was Reds pitchers warming up. For a second, I thought Mike Leake was going to hand me the ball he was throwing with, but he handed it to a kid that was standing next to me, I didn't even see the kid.
The tarp remained on the field, but it didn't start to rain at the stadium until after 6! BOTH TEAMS COULD HAVE HAD A FULL BP!!!
Since the death of the fan in Texas, who was reaching for a ball that was thrown by Josh Hamilton, the Pirates no longer throw the warm-up balls into the crowd.
The game eventually got under way after 8. The game was delayed in the top of the 1st, so I left hoping that the game would be postponed and played another day, so I could aviod the shutout, but the game was played and I had my 4th shutout of the season.

SEASON STATS
0 balls at this game.
15 balls at 14 games this season. (WOW! I need to step it up BIG TIME!)
1.07 balls per game.
86 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Thursday, July 14, 2011

2011 MLB All-Star Week Review

Here is my late recap of All-Star week.
HR DERBY
It seems like every year the player I pick to win the HR derby always gets eliminated in the first round. To aviod that again, I picked two players this year, Rickie Weeks and Jose Bautista, but still they lose in the first round.
So next year I might pick four players, but my luck they will be the four that get eliminated in the first round.
Well, Robinson Cano won the 2011 HR derby with a total of 32 HRs.

All-Star Game
The NL won the All-star game for the second year in a row, after that long losing streak.
The final score was 5-1, Prince Fielder was named MVP, which was the first All-star game HR hit by a Milwaukee Brewer.

The winning pitcher was Tyler Clippard from the Nationals, the losing pitcher was CJ Wilson from the Rangers, and the Giants' Brian Wilson got the save.

Also, I was happy to see three Pirates players on the All-star roster.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

7/5/11- Astros @ Pirates (PNC Park)

*Sorry for not updating sooner, I am in Maryland, and I have been camping*
After getting shutout for the 3rd time in 2011 the day before, I wanted to bounce back and get on the board quickly, but that wouldn't happen.
First off, Astros BP isn't very good, other than Pence and Lee. I could have snagged 2 balls hit by Hunter Pence on the fly, but I lost them both in the sun, and couldn't come up with the snag.

The only ball I got at this game was thrown to me by Bud Norris.
That was it for BP. After BP, when the Pirates bullpen was coming out, I had an old kinda dirty Pirates baseball in my bag, I got Herbie and Jose Veras to sign it, for the rest of the season I am taking that ball to every game until the whole ball is covered in signatures.

During the game, I came extremly close to a homerun hit by Brandon Wood in section 141, it was originally dropped and as I was reaching down to grab it between two seats, it was knocked down a row where it was picked up by another fan.

SEASON STATS
1 ball at this game.
15 balls at 13 games this season.
1.15 balls per game.
86 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

7/4/11- Astros @ Pirates (PNC Park)

*Sorry for not updating sooner, I am in Maryland, and I have been out camping.*
I went to this game with 2 other people, Sarah and Josh, we got to the gate around 10. I was hoping for a good day, like always, but I would end up getting shutout because the bleachers during BP were too crowded and everybody stood there like statues. During all of BP, I only had 2 or 3 chances for a ball.

Josh was shutout during BP as well, but he would end up getting a ball in the top of the first from bullpen catcher known as Herbie.

SEASON STATS
0 balls at this game.
14 balls at 12 games this season.
1.17 balls per game.
85 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

6/25/11- Mustangs @ Power (AFL- Consol Energy Center)

My friend has season tickets for the Pittsburgh Power arena football team, and I wanted to go to one all season long, and he said that he had four tickets for this game. I was very excited to be there.

Arena football was always fun to watch on TV.

All four of us got to the arena, just before the game started. What I didn't know is that my friend has season tickets in the Captain Morgan club! WOW! Also you don't have to get up for anything, we had very good service, as for the game, the Power won, on the very last play of the game.

The attendance was 8,227.
Final Score: Pittsburgh Power 39, Milwaukee Mustangs 38.

I only took one picture at the game, if my computer was working 100% correctly, I would have taken more, and this post would have been so much better.

6/24/11- Red Sox @ Pirates (PNC Park)

Sorry for the late update, I've been busy the last couple days. Also I'm sorry that this will be another pictureless post.

But here we go...
I was excited to see the Boston Red Sox play for the first time in person, also since I was shutout in my last game, I was hoping for a big day, even though I knew it would be a packed stadium.
I was happy to get on the board early, with a toss-up from Pedro Ciriaco, two minutes after we got in.
When the Red Sox came out, it started to rain, I started to think that BP would be stopped, but Boston kept hitting, and I was happy.
When David Ortiz was hitting, he hit a ball directly toward me, I put my arm up as high as I could, but the ball when over my glove.
I was told it barely went over my glove, and I couldn't turn around to get the ball in time.
I also had a chance to get a ball that was hit by JD Drew, but it was picked up by someone else, just before I could grab it off a seat.

As for the game, I had a chance for a toss-up from Andrew McCutchen, I lost it in the lights, and some lady ended up with it, she handed the ball to me, but since someone else in the stand had possession of the ball before me, I couldn't count it, so I quickly gave it to a young girl, who was extremely happy to have a baseball.

Also I was happy that the Pirates won the game, and then took 2 of 3 from the Boston Red Sox.

SEASON STATS
1 ball at this game.
14 balls at 11 games this season.
1.27 balls per game.
85 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

6/20/11- Orioles @ Pirates (PNC Park)

Not much to say about this game at all, I got shutout, for the second time this season.
I was hoping for a big day, cause the Orioles BP is one of the top in the MLB in my opinion.
There was alot of people and nowhere to go.
I only had about 3 chances to snag a ball during BP, and one chance during the game, which was the warm-up ball thrown by Andrew McCutchen.

My next game is Friday against Boston, I'm excited for this game, hopefully I can bounce back with a good day.

SEASON STATS
0 balls at this game.
13 balls at 10 games this season.
1.3 balls per game.
84 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

6/13/11- Mets @ Pirates (PNC Park)

*My computer is still messed up, so there won't be any pictures in this post either, sorry. I have someone coming to fix my computer within the next couple days*
I didn't get a ball during the Pirates part of BP, because they got off the field a few minutes after the stadium opened.
A few minutes after the Mets came out, my first ball of the day was thrown by Jason Pridie.
Then once I went over to center field, in Section 140, my second ball of the day was thrown to me by Pedro Beato.
During the game, I was sitting up in the PBC sections, a perfect spot to snag a foul ball, but none at all were hit my way.

Final Score: New York Mets 1, Pittsburgh Pirates 3.

SEASON STATS
2 balls at this game.
13 balls at 9 games this season.
1.44 balls per game.
4 consecutive games with atleast one ball.
84 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Friday, June 10, 2011

6/10/11- Mets @ Pirates (PNC Park)

*My computer is messed up right now, and I can't upload pictures, sorry folks*
I hate that the Pirates start BP earlier than they did last season, because we only get to see the last group of hitters once we are in the stadium, and the last doesn't hit many homers at all.
The Pirates got off the field at 5:11, and as they were leaving the field, I got Pirates bullpen catcher Herberto Andrade to throw me my first ball of the day.
My second ball of the day was thrown to me by Mets pitcher, Jason Isringhausen, the ball was thrown high, I stuck my arm up as high as I could, and the ball hit the side of my glove, I quickly turned around and picked it up.
I stayed for most of the game, and didn't get another ball.
Since it was a Friday, it was a t-shirt giveaway, in my opinion its one of the better t-shirts the team has given away.

New York Mets 8, Pittsburgh Pirates 1.

SEASON STATS
2 balls at this game.
11 balls at 8 games this season.
1.37 balls per game.
3 consecutive games with atleast one ball.
82 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

6/7/11- Diamondbacks @ Pirates (PNC Park)

This was my first game in two weeks, so I was hoping for a really good day. The day started off here.
Below: View from Riverwalk.
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When the gates opened at 5, we all started to run in, but a supervisor told us, that we weren't allowed to run in.
Oh, what a shock the Pirates got off the field early! Again...
Below: Pirates getting off the field.
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Pirates BP on this day was pathetic.
Then the Diamondbacks came out, and I was hoping for a good BP from them.
Below: Diamondbacks BP
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Just before 5:30 I went over to Right Field to look for easter eggs, I couldn't find any. While I was up in right, ballhawk Zac Weiss, told me the first name of the Diamondbacks bullpen catcher, Jeff Motuzas, I yelled for Jeff, and then he threw a ball my way, I caught it, then I had possession of it, but then I somehow dropped it, and then another guy picked it up and then he offered my money for the ball, I said no, but he Insisted that I get money for it, then the guy handed me $6. That was the only ball I would get during BP.
Below: Crowd in bleachers during BP
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Look at that crowd during the latter stages of BP, it would have been great if the Diamondbacks hit alot of homers.
After BP, my cousin Josh took a picture of me with Pirates catcher, Chris Synder.
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After that, me and Josh met up with my uncle John, my other cousin Paige, my uncle's friend Matt and his two kids. They went over to their seats in Section 123, and I stayed out near the bleachers the whole time and got something to eat.
In the 5th inning, I caught Andrew McCutchen's warm-up ball for my second ball of the day.
Then in the 7th inning, Josh caught Andrew McCutchen's warm-up ball for his fourth of the day.
Then after that, we went over to Section 123 to meet up with my uncle and everyone else.
This was the view...
Below: Seat view in Section 123.
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The Pirates scored 5 runs in the 8th, Joel Hanrahan came in for the save, and the Pirates won!
Below: Pirates win!
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Final score: Arizona Diamondbacks 5, Pittsburgh Pirates 8.

Below: What I collected at this game.
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Below: Upclose on the one ball that I kept.
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SEASON STATS
2 balls at this game. (Gave "sold" one)
9 balls at 7 games this season.
1.29 BPG (balls per game)
2 consecutive games with atleast one ball.
80 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Saturday, June 4, 2011

I Think Atlanta Moving To Winnipeg Is A Bad Idea

On May 31st, the NHL announced that the Thrashers were purchased by True North, and are going to move to Winnipeg, but I think its a bad move by the NHL. Hockey isn't like other sports like football and baseball. Hockey needs teams in southern cities, so the sport can grow and expand.

For example in Winnipeg, basically all of the younger children play hockey, but its not the same story in Atlanta, maybe a small amount of children play. Hockey teams need to be in the south so children can watch a hometown team and become interested in hockey.

People are saying that the Thrasher have no fan support, which I agree, you know why? Because since their first season (99-00) they only made the playoffs once, and in America, and in any other sport that is not going to draw fans. Yeah sure, in Edmonton or Toronto they haven't been playing well at all for a few years now and are still selling out every game, you know why? Because its Canada and hockey is Canada's sport. It doesn't work the same way in the United States.

Another thing, what is the point of this move? Winnipeg's arena is going to be the smallest in the league, with around 15,000 seats. Since its Canada and the first year for a NHL team in Winnipeg they will sellout every game without any issues, even though they will probably finish in 4th or 5th place in the division.

The team will average 15,000 all season long, and Atlanta averaged 13,469 in the 10-11 season, so to me it seems like the team is getting moved so there will be an extra 1,531 people at home games. In the 2010-2011 season the Thrashers were 28th in the NHL for attendance, and Winnipeg's 15,000 per game would have 24th in the NHL, behind teams like Nashville and Florida were Canadians like to say should have an NHL team. Speaking of Nashville, the NBC market in Nashville had one of the highest ratings in the United States for game one of the Stanley Cup finals, they had better television ratings than cities that are considered to be "hockey towns", seems like Nashville is becoming a hockey town.

Also another reason NHL teams are need in the south is that people from the Northern United States and Canada move to places like Florida, California, and Arizona because of the warmer weather, I'll use the Penguins for this example, if a Penguins fan moves from Pittsburgh to Tampa, they'll be able to go to two games a year in Tampa, two more games down in South Florida, and even two more games up the road in Atlanta (another reason the move is bad). Like think about this, if you and your family are planning a vacation and you would like to go to a hockey game to watch your favorite team play, where would you rather go on vacation, Florida or Winnipeg? Give me three things to do in Winnipeg, and then give me three things to do in Florida.

In my eyes, this is a bad move by the NHL, but also this is my personal opinion, you guys will all have your own.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

5/24/11- Braves @ Pirates (PNC Park)

After getting shutout on Friday against the Tigers, I wanted to get back on track with a quick start against the Braves. I got to the stadium around 4, and got in line, played catch with two other ballhawks (Zac Weiss and Baseball Joe) and around 4:30, I went down to the Riverwalk with Nick and Erik, they both got a ball down there, but I came up empty.
When the stadium opened, we all rushed down to the bleachers, looked for Easter eggs, I didn't find any, but right away I snagged a ball the bounced around, and landed on a bleacher. I picked up the ball right before a younger kid got there, I took a quick look at the ball, and handed it to the kid. About 2 minutes later, James McDonald threw me a ball for my 2nd ball of the day in just under 5 minutes. Then after that, an unknown Pirate batter hit a ball that cleared the bleachers, and rolled into a kiosk, I ran there, but the ball wasn't there, the ball completely rolled through it, and I couldn't come up with the ball, then at that time, the Pirates got off the field, at 5:09. I quickly changed into my Braves shirt. Ran over to center field to look for balls, none where there.
Below: Braves BP
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The Braves had the Angels 50th anniversary balls, sadly I couldn't come up with one.
I went back over to the bleachers, they were getting packed.
Below: Bleachers
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After BP, I relaxed and eat some good PNC Park food, no joke, I love it.
The bleachers were strangely packed for a Tuesday night game in May, probably because the large amount of Braves fans that were in attendance.
Below: Bleachers during the game.
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I stayed for most of the game, the Pirates were shutout, the game had great pitching.
Final score: Atlanta Braves 2, Pittsburgh Pirates 0.
Below: What I collected.
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Below: Up close on the one ball that I kept.
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SEASON STATS
2 balls at this game (one ball given to a kid)
7 balls at 6 games this season.
1.17 BPG (balls per game)
78 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Friday, May 20, 2011

5/20/11- Tigers @ Pirates (PNC Park)

Well to start off some bad luck, a few days before this game my phone broke, so I was having a little bit of bad luck. Well I got to the stadium around 4:10, got an extra ticker for my friend, and got in line. I spend a few minutes on the Riverwalk with two other ballhawks, and when I got back up to the gate there was a huge line waiting to get in the stadium, thankfully I was up front. When the gates opened we all raced down to the bleachers and my friend Matt snagged a ball right away. For the first half hour the bleachers weren't empty, but weren't packed either.
Below: Bleachers
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I had a couple very good opportunities to snag a ball, but I couldn't come up with it. During the first 30 minutes, I saw atleast 3 balls hit into the center field sections, my plan was to run over before 5:30 and pick them up, but when I got over there, the ushers had already picked up all of the balls. I stayed over in there for a while, but no luck, I had one chance to snag a ball. Then I went back over to the bleachers. The bleachers had mostly Tiger fans there, so it was useless to ask for a toss up.
Below: Bleachers again
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BP ended, and I was shutout. I was hoping to get a toss up from a Pirate outfielder, or a game HR ball, but I couldn't come up with one. My streak of 22 straight games with a ball is over, well I'm going to start a new start Tuesday night.
Below: What I collected at this game.
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Neil Walker had a great game with 5 RBI's
Final Score : Detroit Tigers 1, Pittsburgh Pirates 10.

SEASON STATS
0 balls at this game.
5 balls at 5 games this season.
1 BPG (balls per game)
76 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Saturday, May 14, 2011

5/13/11- Orioles @ Rays (Tropicana Field)

*I took more pictures at this game, but since my computer isn't working that great right now, I only put the most important pictures from the game on here, if you want to see that rest then go to my Facebook page, they are on there*
Last week, I was on vacation down in Florida. I went to this game with my uncle and cousin. We arrived at the stadium a little late (5:15 to be exact) But I still had an hour of BP. As I walked into the outfield sections, I passed up a ball that was laying on seat, someone else got to it before I could.
Below: Rays BP
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Left field got crowded quickly, and I looked over to right field and it wasn't very crowded so I went over there. I stayed there for most of BP, many homers were hit my way, but I couldn't get them because of all the people and there wasn't much room to go.
Below: Orioles BP
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I only got one ball at this game, it was hit by an unknown Oriole.
For the Orioles last group of BP, I went back over to left field, where many BP homers were hit, but I only had a shot at one of them, there were too many people. The only ball I had a chance to get over there was dropped by a person, I saw the saw start rolling down the rows and it stopped by a woman's foot, right before I had a chance to grab it, someone else did.
Below: Very crowded.
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After BP ended, we went up to our seats in the upper deck, Section 307, Row T, Seat 8.
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The game was awesome, Matt Joyce and Johnny Damon both hit HR's.
Final score: Baltimore Orioles 0, Tampa Bay Rays 3.
When I got back to my place, I took the two usual pictures.
Below: What I collected.
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Below: Upclose on the one ball I snagged.
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SEASON STATS
1 ball at this game.
5 balls at 4 games this season.
1.25 BPG (balls per game)
22 straight games with at least one ball.
76 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Florida, Here I Come!

Early tomorrow morning, I will be leaving for Florida for a week! Hopefully going to a baseball game while I'm down there!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

4/26/11- Pirates vs. Giants (PNC Park)

When I got to PNC Park, the sky was overcast, but it wasn't raining, but a few minutes after I got there, it started to rain.
Below: Rain, please stop.
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Before the rain began, I peeked in the stadium onto the field to see if there was any BP, but it was cancelled because of the rain. So when the stadium opened at 5, another ballhawk, Zac Weiss, and I were the first two into the stadium, I ran down into the bleachers, and found a wet ball laying in the first row.
Below: Spot where I found the ball.
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It was barely raining at this point, I thought the Giants would have taken BP, but the tarp stayed on the field.
Below: Tarp on the field.
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I wanted to keep the wet ball, so I did something I did once last year.
Below: Wet ball covered in paper towels.
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After that, I ran down the first base side where some Giants pitchers were throwing.
Below: Giants pitchers.
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Below: Brian Wilson
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I tried to get Wilson's autograph, but I couldn't.
I was glad Brandon Wood got the start for this game.
Below: Brandon Wood
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The tarp stayed on the field, and the game was scheduled to start at 7:50.
Below: Game time, 7:50
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Finally the tarp was getting taken off the field.
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Below: The games Pirate starter, Charlie "Electric Stuff" Morton.
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In the top of the 3rd, I got Andrew McCutchen's toss-up.
Below: Cutch
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When I got home I took the 2 usual pictures.
Below: Upclose on the two baseballs.
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Below: What I collected.
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San Francisco Giants 3, Pittsburgh Pirates 2.

SEASON STATS
2 balls at this game.
4 balls at 3 games this season.
1.33 balls per game (BPG)
21 straight games with atleast 1 ball.
75 LIFETIME BASEBALLS

Friday, April 22, 2011

4/22/11- Pirates vs. Nationals (PNC Park- Postponed)

Even though rain was in the forecast all day, I still decided to go to the ballpark. It rained all day, it rained on my way to the stadium, and it just kept raining.
Below: Rain, rain go away.
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At 5, two PNC Park employees said that the game was cancelled, and will be made up on Monday.
*UPDATE: I didn't go to the makeup game, because I wasn't feeling well*

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

4/13/11- Pirates vs. Brewers (PNC Park)

I got to PNC Park around 3:40. I noticed that access to the Riverwalk was blocked off, then I saw that it was starting to get flooded.
Below: Flooded riverwalk.
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I was the first one in line, so when the gates opened, I raced down into the bleachers with the other ballhawks behind me. I had the best chance to find Easter eggs, but there weren't any.
Below: Pirates BP
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Up until the time when the Brewers came out for BP, the sky was overcast, but as soon as the Brewers came out, the sun came out, and I couldn't see anything because I forgot my sunglasses at home.
Below: Brewers BP
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After I took the picture above, I ran over to center field to look for more Easter eggs, but there weren't any there either. Since I was already over that way, I stayed over in center and right field for Prince Fielder to hit, but he hit ball after ball into the river. It was almost 6, and I didn't have any balls. Then, around 5:50, Brewers pitcher, Mitch Stetter threw me my one and only ball of the day.
After BP was over, I took another picture of the Riverwalk.
Below: Flooded riverwalk.
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Then I did what I always do after BP (Eat Diamond club pizza, and relax before the game).
The starting pitcher for the Pirates was Kevin Correia.
Below: Kevin Correia.
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Below: Game view.
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Notice in the picture above? Very low crowd. The attendance was 8,775.
During the game I had the perfect chance for a McCutchen toss-up, but I lost it in the lights, and couldn't come up with the ball, it was just that kind of day.
Below: I thought it looked cool with the moon in the picture.
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I left the game in the top of the 9th, when I got home I took the two usual pictures.
Below: What I collected.
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Below: Close up on the one ball.
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Milwaukee Brewers 6, Pittsburgh Pirates 0.

2011 SEASON STATS
1 ball at this game.
2 balls at 2 games this season.
1 BPG (balls per game)
73 LIFETIME BASEBALLS