THE
PLACE TO LEARN ABOUT BASEBALL -- AND HOW TO SNAG ONE AT A MAJOR LEAGUE GAME
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Nice
emails from nice people
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June 13, 2013 Not exactly sure how to reply on twitter but I see you are stuck at midway. Just wanted to offer our spare bedroom to you. It's nice and clean. From midway you could easily take the orange line el to the 35th/archer stop (4 stops), and walk less than a block to our house. Give me a call at 815-XXX-XXXX before about 12:30 am if you'd like to take me up on that. This may be weird, but I figured you are used to people you don't know contacting you out of the blue. -Bob |
June 12, 2013 -Tanaya |
| June 12, 2013 Zack, Great to finally meet you last night! Thanks for signing your book and a ball for me. It was fun to watch the best in action. Although my 800 balls are no where close to your simply amazing total, I was sad I forgot to show you my lifetime pass to the hof. I got that for catching and then donating Paul molitors only grandslam as a twin and the last of his career. Pretty cool story went down to the induction and met him and was on ESPN anyway, great to meet you...make the 30 for 30. -Dave Minneapolis, MN |
| June 12, 2013 Hey man, Great meeting you last night. Here is the photo of us, it’d be cool to see you blog about us or something. Hearing about your deal made you my new idol… but then finding out about your Arkanoid record… that crushed it for me. Best game ever… I’m following you on Twitter and I spreading the word about you and your adventure. I wish I would have caught wind of this before the game. Anyway – great work! -Gary Minneapolis, MN |
June 10, 2013 I'm a huge baseball fan (specifically Yankees) and have been reading your blog for the last 3 years. Most importantly, I think what you are doing for charity is an awesome cause and it means a lot to many. I'm currently a senior Broadcast Journalism major at Quinnipiac University and hope to become a play-by-play sportscaster for baseball. I absolutely love going to games and usually go to over a dozen games a year (I've been to over 200 games in my life). Although I don't have much luck snagging baseballs (5 gamers in 4 different parks), I have a passion for going to all the stadiums and just soaking everything in. I have currently been to 32 ballparks (not including Spring Training) and have 5 more active ballparks to go. I know you are pretty busy at games and know you're time is limited but I would love to meet up at a game in the near future. -Tim |
June 5, 2013 I went to Yesterday's Yankees game vs. the Indians (June 4th) with my mom. When I got there I went right to right field and waited to get a ball. I was wearing an Indians hat and jersey and in the span of an hour, I got 2 baseballs (both toss-ups). My tickets were the first row in section 136 in left field and when the jerk usher told everyone to leave (even though bp was still going on) my mom and I went to our seats in left field. When got out there, Ubaldo Jimenez walked out there to talk to some players. When he got there I kindly asked for his autograph and he gave it to me. I was so pumped :D. After bp ended I looked up to the crowed and saw your friend Ben (btw I read your blog and love it :D). I recognized him and we started talking for a while. We waited by the bullpen for the coach to come and when he came, he tossed 10 baseballs to the crowd. Ben put his glove over mine to catch the ball but he ended up giving it to me :D. While the starting pitcher Scott Kazimar was warming up, He looked a the baseball that he was throwing and he tossed it to the bullpen coach and said to throw it to the kid. He tossed it to me and that was my 4th of the day. I was so happy. Fast Foward to the seventh inning and while watching Nick Hagadone warmup, the bullpen coach inspects a ball and throws into the crowd. I caught it on the fly and I couldn't be more happier. At the end of the game after all the players and coaches left, I see that they havent taken the lineup card and left it in there. I ask one of the the grounds crew members if I can have the lineup card and he game it to me. I couldn't believe it!!! I only caught one ball at the other games that I went to and today I caught 5 and the lineup card. I know this email s really long but I just want to say that you influenced me a lot on catching baseballs and thank you. -Demetrius, age 13 |
| June 1, 2013 Hi Zack, Naoya of Tokyo, a Nats fan. You were on TV in Japan as a lucky fan who caught two baseballs in one game! Keep on snagging! Best, Naoya |
| June 1, 2013 Hey Zack, I never commented before although i’m reading your blog since a year. First of all,i want to apologize for my english(I live in Montreal,so i don’t talk english everyday). I wanted to tell you that i think that what you are doing is really great(raising money and of course catching balls)! I tried some of your tricks on many trips that i did and i succeed to catch a few balls. I hope to meet you someday at a stadium! -Michael |
May 30, 2013 My name is Sam, and I live in Great Britain. I have been reading your blog for a little over a month now, and I want to thank you for submitting really cool articles. I am 16 years old, and thanks to the bloody time zones, I stay up every night till 3:00am just to watch baseball, in particular the Boston Red Sox. (much to the delight of my teachers. YAWN.) Unfortunately, because of where I live, I have never been to a game of baseball! Thanks to your blog, it is now my dream to go to Fenway Park, and snag just one ball. That might not seem much to you with your 6704 lifetime balls, but it'd mean the world to me. So, without wanting to sound too "cheesey" (hate that word), I want to thank you not only for your awesome blog, but also for giving me a dream. Thanks Sam Brown |
| May 30, 2013 Zack, I really enjoyed the details of your front row competition with the kid going for the BP home run ball in this blog from Toronto. Since I’ve been following you, I’ve really grown tired of people bashing you and accusing you of pushing and shoving kids out of the way. Not only did you give the kid a fair shot at getting the ball himself, but you ended up giving him a ball when he missed out anyway! Kudos, man….You’re a class act and it’s fun to follow your blogs and tweets this season! -Charli |
| May 30, 2013 when the braves were in town a few days ago i snagged evan gattis 12th homerun of the seaon thanks for all the expert advice that you put out on your blog. |
| May 29, 2013 Hey Zack, just wanted to say love your blogs and I read them all. Congrats with all the success so far this season. Good luck the rest of the season and I'm rooting for you to get the $500 donation from Bigs on a game used ball in all of the MLB stadiums. -Caleb Sturgis, MI |
May 25, 2013 -Shane |
| May 24, 2013 Zach, you would be very proud to hear that at the Astros vs Athletics I got two balls using the “glove trick” and Brandon Moss and Rosales were very impressed! Thanks for the tips! Couldn’t have done it without all your videos!! |
| May 23, 2013 Enjoying your blog as always … looking forward ti meeting you @ the Trop and maybe getting my copy of “The Baseball” signed. |
| May 22, 2013 Congrats on the 900th consecutive game streak! I find two other facts impressive as well: 1. You stuck with your hobby for over 20 years. I don’t know how many people can say that about most things they do in life, like a job or even a career, etc. 2. You “averaged” more than 45 games per season. How many fans attend that many games on average for 20 seasons? Specially if you are 15 years old, as you were when the streak started? For me, it would take about 75 years just to “attend” 900 games, never mind a streak. -James |
May 15, 2013 I just read an article about you on MLB.com and what you are doing for the Pitch In For Baseball charity. I think it is a great thing what you are doing and I was wondering if I could catch a game with you. As you can tell I live in New York so it will be easy for us to meet up. I'm a huge Yankees fan but I won't mind going to a Mets game if it is easier for you. The only problem is, I currently don't have a credit card (nor have I ever owned one) so I can't pay you on PayPal, and my mother would think I'm crazy using her checks to pay some random stranger just to go to a baseball game. So if it is ok with you, could I pay in person with cash? If not then it is no problem, I could always buy a separate ticket and meet up with you. I know you are busy so I understand if you don't get back to me right away, but when you do get back to me we can discuss more details then. Thanks so much. |
May 15, 2013 |
| May 12, 2013 Zack, Thanks a ton for your blog. Number one, it is a great read in college classes- especially when the Professor drones on and on. Number two, I managed to snag two balls at the game Pirates v. Mets game the other evening. Jason Grilli (who graduated from my school, good ole Seton Hall) blew the save, but your tip about befriending ushers paid off. Plus, I had major bragging rights on my friends, so thanks for tips that improved my social “stock.” The umps are great, plus robbing a drunk guy of a ball (my second) was priceless. Also, did you know the Mets are changing prices by day? I scored a left field landing seat for 5 bucks- it was listed the day before as 30, so you may want to check the deal out. You get access to Caesars Club- ushers dont care if you sit where its empty, so its a good place for a view. Also, know the grammar was awful- I just finished finals- my brain is fried. Keep up the great work and a great read. -John |
| May 9, 2013 Good luck on your ballpark tours. My family and I met you at GABP during batting practice. I asked you about the charity that you’re catching balls for. I thought this guy must be crazy until I took time out to ask why you wanted so many balls. I try to take son to as many Reds games I can because we boh love baseball. He uses the balls to get autographs and has a shelve of a total of 25 signed by players. I just wanted to say don’t let the hatters get to you everyone has a hobby and baseball collecting is yours . Good luck in your travels. -Shawn |
May 4, 2013 Im a big baseball fan, and I'd really like to do baseball writing, like you or Ken rosenthal. Every Year my dad and I go to see a different baseball team. This year we are going to Toronto to see the Blue Jays take on Baltimore. Do you have any tips on how to catch a ball in that stadium? I ask because the wall seems very high there. Would you have to ask a player? Thanks! P.S. |
| May 4, 2013 Yo Zack! Later this month the stars will align and I’ll finally be able to be at the same stadium as you when you come to US Cellular. Just wanted to ask what your plans are and where you’ll be before the gates open. I’m really looking forward to watching you work inside the park instead of just reading about it! -Ryan |
May 3, 2013 -Mark |
| May 2, 2013 Zack, I am a long time part-time ball hawk in Minnesota. I have over 600 bp balls 6 hrs including molitors last grand slam which got me a life time pass to the HOF and john bucks grand slam this year at target field. I am following your quest with BIGS seeds this year...awesome! Two things for you...one Greg (waldo) who you featured in your book is on his second one year ban from target field....a bit rude and aggressive will do that...even though we love him. Second, I see you will be at target field June 11th and I will gladly give you the down low on snagging all sorts of balls at target field (including your one needed gamer) if you are interested.... things are a bit unique at target field, but I got the down low for you. Just let me know and good luck. -Dave |
| May 1, 2013 Hey Zack, was great meeting you and watching you in action. Keep up the good charity work and good luck in getting a gamer in the rest of the ballparks. -Tom Seattle, WA |
| April 29, 2013 Yep, there I am, in the picture above your mention of the Conger homer (nice catch btw) with the red shirt. My first attempt at commenting didn’t post for some reason, but then again it was about a page, so I’ll try to keep this recounting shorter: I had changed from my Mariners gear into my Angels shirt (no Angels cap so I turned my M’s hat around, hats come in all different colors nowadays), yelled for balls like everyone else, and finally caught a toss-up over a few hands. I turned around, and there you were. After a minute in awe of the fact that I’d just snagged my first ball, and in the presence of the undisputed king of snagging, during which I made disbelieving noises, my first words were “Do you have any idea who threw that?” to which you responded, “No…maybe Nick Moran?” I put my ball in my bag and continued calling out to Hamilton, Weaver and Co., and you did your thing, and that was it. So when are you coming back to Safeco this season? Seriously, just seeing you hawking was awesome and an honor. I know it’s a long flight because Seattle’s not close to anywhere, and the nights can get pretty cold, but you just have to come back. I really recommend the King’s Court; after I did it the first time, I questioned why anyone would sit anywhere else during a Felix Hernandez start. You might not get as many balls (aka only single digits) but it’s definitely an experience. With any luck, my lifetime total will be up to double digits by then. -Joe |
| April 29, 2013 Zack if you don't know the Brewers bullpen ALWAYS marks the sweet spot of their ball with a Sharpie. By the way I'm 11 years old and are you coming to Pittsburgh this year and what day. Chris |
| April 29, 2013 Long time reader, first time commenter here. I was at the game after this one at Safeco, and I gotta say, it was surreal seeing you there in person. I don't wanna give away any details, but I'm really hoping having you in attendance when I caught my first baseball ever that day was a good omen. I'll comment again on that game's post and point myself out in pictures; I'd try to tell you what I looked like so you can tag me, but as a tall dark-haired kid in a Mariners hat, it's kinda hard to tell us apart sometimes. -Joe |
April 29, 2013 Thanks, |
April 27, 2013 Today I was lucky enough to ride next to you on the train ride from Seattle . I knew who you where , but I just like giving people their space and respect as it seemed you where occupied and seemed a little exhausted . I love what you do , I am a very big baseball fan who grew up in Anaheim Ca loving the angels . But in general I love the game . I would love to attend a game with you on the road sometime . Look forward to hearing from you . -Enrique |
April 25, 2013 My name is John, I live in seattle, have followed you for quite awhile and ballhawk regularly at Safeco. I am a huge mariners fan (ohh the pain), and will be at the game tonight. I heard you will be too? Max Van Hollebeke and I (I think you've met him) are best friends and he is the one who sparked my interest in ballhawking a few years ago. So yah, I would love meeting you and getting to talk a little bit if you have time! let me know. I won't be getting there early tonight because of school commitments, excited to meet hopefully, and GO M'S!!! -John |
| April 23, 2013 Hi Zack, I am sure you receive hundreds of emails that you have to sift through. If you are reading this email, I am writing as I saw you on Thursday night at the Yanks/D-Backs game. I am sure you have been swamped with media requests and emails. My background is in cartography and I would like to offer my services pro-bono to map all of the stadiums you have visited and break them down by how many baseballs you have collected per stadium. I think it would be a fun visual and something you could post on your website. I appreciated your passion for the game and the work you are doing with charity. I look forward to emailing/speaking with you. -Marshall |
| April 23, 2013 Hey Zack, whats up? I'm not sure how I stumbled across you or your website but glad I did. Congrats on catching those 2 homerun balls. I literally was reading your blogs about 3 weeks ago and the next thing I know is that I see you on Sportscenter snagging homerun balls!! Pretty cool. And what a gig you got.Better treasure this year forever.Anyway, I see you are going to be in Pittsburgh on May 8th. The Pirates have always been and will always be my team ( despite their 20 year losing streak ). I plan on attending the game on the 8th. I may even let my 14 year old daughter skip school that day. Sorry to say that we dont even average 1 game a year. My work schedule is brutal. I was hoping to meet you at this game and get a few pics and an autograph or 2 if you are willing. I know you say you read all your emails but just dont have time to respond to them all. I can see why with all the travel,snagging,notes,pics and blogging you do.But if you do get a millisecond to shoot me a text,that would be great. If we make it to the game and we meet, I will donate 10 bucks per ball you snag at the Pirate game to your foundation. Good luck with your 30 stadium tour. Hope to see you at Primanti's. Thanks...Jay. |
| April 22, 2013 Zack. I just found you on twitter and think your blog and site are great! I work at a radio station an hour north of Detroit and was wondering if you would consider doing an interview with us. I think we could possibly drive some book sales your way and possibly get a few people to hire you for the experience. My station does broadcast the Tigers games and has a fairly large following. Also would you be able to send your books our way so our host will have some more info about it before the interview. I also would like to take you to a game at Comerica Park. I am a partial season ticket holder there in left field third row. Let me know when you are planning on coming and I will see what we can do. Thanks. -Jason |
| April 20, 2013 Awesome blog Zack! I came across your blog about 2 or 3 days ago on the mlb website and I sure am glad I did. It’s been a very welcome distraction from studying for exams haha. The amount of baseballs you have collected over the years is incredible and what a neat feat to have been to 50 different baseball stadiums. Anyways I’ve read every post from your most recent one to this one(besides a few days in Hawaii), and it is really fun to read. You have definitely acquired a new fan! I have only been to one stadium and no balls, but two autographs. -Douglas |
April 19, 2013 Thanks for all your blog entries and pictures. I saw you on Intentional Talk today and I swear I saw a catch years back live. I just wanted to say thanks for the great read. It was a good two hours of reading and looking at pictures on the blog. I never knew about the black light. Have fun man and tell Heath to keep it up for a D-Backs fan!!!! -Aaron |
April 19, 2013 My name is Bob, a 56 year old Yankee fan. Seeing the great catch you made thanks to the YES Network's awesome camera work was spectacular! I called my wife into the room and replayed your catch and unknowingly stating that you seemed like a pro at catching HR's, foul balls, etc. After seeing your news story in the Stamford advocate I couldn't believe the coincidence. Amazing. I plan on purchasing one of your books just for a fun read. I work as a Locomotive Engineer for Metro North on the NH Line. Good luck to you and enjoy your passion. -Bob |
| April 19, 2013 Hi, What you do is just utterly amazing and equally awesome! I saw what you did at the Yankee game on sports center where u caught a homer in right and left field. One of which was didi gregorius, my favorite player whom I've been following in the minors for years. You have a lot of baseballs and if you wouldn't mind, can u make my dreams come true and send me the gregorius ball. It would be the greatest gift I've ever received. If not, it's ok. -Jordan, age 14 |
April 19, 2013 You're living the dream. I have no idea how you do it, but I love it. I saw how caught two homers on Sports center tonight, You're an inspiration to me. -John |
April 18, 2013 I'm a big fan of your blog! Especially your insight to all the stadiums! Anyways I was watching the Yankees Game on MLB.TV and I saw you catching a home run ball on a replay on the D-Backs network so i clicked around both the YES network and the D-Backs network and captured a few images. If you could get the video, that would be cool for your blog. The D-backs commentators talked about you and said you had a "man crush" on Heath Bell! Enjoy the pictures! You're welcome to check out my site as well www.chrishansenproductions.com Thanks! Chris |
April 14, 2013 Last year i attended a Miami Marlins vs Colorado Rockies game and i saw you. (i snagged a dodger stadium ball). i was just wondering if you will be at marlins park and when. i would really like to see you. Hope you can reply. Good lucking snagging balls this year. -Michael, age 15 |
April 11, 2013 Thanks again, |
April 9, 2013 First off, congrats on the sponsorship and the opportunity to visit all the MLB stadiums this year! I am a regular at Target Field and attend nearly every game I can get too (some are tough as I am a sophomore at the University of Minnesota), so I was just wondering if you had a visit date to Target Field on the horizon anytime soon. If you do, I'd love to show you around to the many updates they have made since your last visit in 2011 (I don't have the access as you had last time but I can give a great fan perspective). Also, the Twins just announced early BP entry for the first 60 fans if you buy a $15 early entry ticket, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Best of luck snagging, Andrew |
April 8, 2013 My name is Adam, I'm a MLB fanatic that lives in Sydney Australia. I emailed a quick hello waaay back in March '11, complimenting you on your book "Watching Baseball Smarter" ( which I have read a few times now... ) As I said at the time, I'm a huge Yankees fan ( I can hear your groan...) , and was looking forward to a time when I could get to NY to see some games. Well, at the end of August that year (2011), I got to NY and saw 3 games against the Athletics, the last being on a ridiculously hot night. What an experience !, after following the Yankees since my high school days (around 1980 - yes I'm 47), I got to see Major League games at Yankee Stadium !!! Anyway, I follow your fantastic blog ( for a few years now ), and am green with envy every time you post an entry from Yankee Stadium. All the best from Sydney Australia.... Here's a pic of me and my daughter before the game on that HOT August night....(date on camera is wrong - it was 08/25/2011) -Adam |
| April 5, 2013 Hi Zack. It may be hard to believe, but I collect MLB balls too! I have collected 13 total, (not nearly as much as you) but I read your blog a lot and have picked up tips. My first game (regular season game, have been to spring training) I'm going to in 2013 will be on April 23 vs the Dodgers vs the Mets with my step dad. (Real dad just passed with cancer). And I usually get amazing seats but of coarse this time I'm in the nosebleeds. Can I go down during warm ups to get a ball? Thanks. -Nick, age 10 New Jersey |
March 13, 2013 My name is Matt and I am recent college graduate from Chicago. We actually met briefly in the bleachers before the 4/24/09 game at US Cellular Field. Been a long time reader of your blog. I love baseball and I love travel, and you are a great writer on both topics. I always enjoy reading about your baseball and non-baseball trips. Anyway I am spending exactly one day in NYC in April, and want to go to a quintessential new york deli in midtown. Do you have a favorite? It is one of the famous ones, or one that is lesser known? From reading your blog for years, you know where to get the best food. A personal favorite entry of yours was the Legends seats at Yankee Stadium, and all the free food you ate! Thanks for your blog, many of us live our baseball travel dreams through you! |
| March 11, 2013 Wow, 7hrs later and your still answering the same question. You sir are a god among men. Oh and your rubber band ball is awesome, your baseball collection is absolutely insane, and your magazine wall thing is fucking rad. The fact you have a (extremely well done) website that has most of your life documented, simply astounds me. And I'm starting to run out of adjectives! But it is clear to me that you have accomplished more in your lifetime already that I will in the entirety of mine. And for that, you can have all my internet points. |
March 9, 2013 Q1 What inspired you to be a ballhawk? Thank You I hope I find you at a game. - Josh |
March 3, 2013 ITS MY BIRTHDAY AND ALL I WANT IS YOUR AUTOGRAPH BECUASE YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL TO ME OR SEND ME SOMETHING PLEASE ANDREW |
| February 20, 2013 Zack, I enjoy your blog, and someday may enlist your services for a game with my 9-year old son (likely a Yankees game, live in Connecticut now). I am a lifelong Tribe fan – what year/month did you hit up an Indians game? Just wanted to check out your Cleveland experience on the blog. Thanks Jay |
| January 21, 2013 Hey Zack, My name is Matt and believe that baseball is the greatest game ever invented. I work in Northern California for . . . and am interested in discussing with you the possibility of you coming to the SF Bay Area and doing a couple client events for us. I used to think that I was pretty good at getting a ball or two thrown to me from guys….but….if you’re the Major Leagues, my tactics are like Whiffle Ball in comparison. Reading thru your blog, it looks like you had a great time the last time you went to an A’s, then Giants game. So, in my estimation, it wouldn’t take too much coaxing to get you back out here. With what you now know about the A’s and their park, you might be able to set a personal record for balls acquired at one game if you extended your trip! Love to chat about the possibility. Call me to discuss, Matt |
| January 11, 2013 Dear Mr. Hample, I met you at Ballhawkfest two Summers' ago in Camden Yards. I just wanted to update you and say that my baseball collection has grown to over 30 baseballs thanks to your advice. Thank You J.B. |
| December 6, 2012 You seem to have a very interesting life :-) |
| November 27, 2012 Dear Zack, I am a ballhawker and a "professinal" autographer. I go to spring training every year and graph and ballhawk i go to the minor leauge games a lot and have gotten at least 1 ball in a stretch 60 games in a row then i missed 1 then i got one for a stretch of 40 games. I dont know what my record is because after every 2 balls I give 1 away to a kid who has a glove and is trying so hard to get a ball. I also give a ball to a small child. Like you i never sell any of my autographs or collection. My dad and I have season tickets for the marlins spring training. I have gotten two signifignt balls in my ballhawking career one was from Marlins Park and the other one is cool, I made friends with South Africa for the world baseball classic qualifiers and they gave me a qualifiers ball. I know a little french and also how to get a ball that way too. Im also in the process of writing a book on how to get autographs. Zack, thank you for taking the time to read this next time you come to Florida make sure you shoot me an email and maybe we can go together and help you get autographs because I know a lot of players personally Best Wishes, Riley, age 11 Palm Beach Gardens, FL |
| October 2, 2012 Hey Zack I'm just wondering if you have figured anything out Arlington for next year. Sorry if I'm making you angry with this question but I really want to see you(in a completely non-gay way). Thanks. -Dylan |
September 26, 2012 Love your website. Just heard about you and already read several of your blogs. I would love to get one of your books as soon as I have time to read it. I'm a huge pirates fan and live in Pittsburgh. A few weeks ago, I went to a game with some of my buddies and caught 8 balls (6 thrown). I know it compares to nothing of your standards, but I thought impressive to average fan (while wearing morph suit). I have always loved ball hawking and your stories provide an interesting point about the topic. A fellow baseball fan, |
| September 26, 2012 Hello! My name is Joe and I am a big Pirate fan. So big that I saw you on TV yesterday catch Garrett Jones HR ball in Citi Feild. I will be returning to PNC Park soon, and because you have been there, I was wondering what seats you believe are the best. I know your a busy guy, and I'm not really expecting an emai back, but I thought I would let you know I saw you on TV. You have a great collection of baseballs, and it's amazing Thanks. -Joe Pittsburgh, PA |
| September 25, 2012 I finally caught my first foul ball at a baseball game. It was at the Mets game Saturday the 22nd. It only took me 14 years to get that. Hope to see you around Citi Field or Yankee Stadium soon. -Andrew |
| September 23, 2012 As a Nationals fan, and someone that has followed your blog for a few years, I just wanted to say that I hope this works out for you in the positive, and I am sorry for the way Nationals Park Staff treated you. I hope this won't deter you to coming back to the Nationals Park. I also wanted to say I enjoy your blogs and what you do for charity. Thanks and good luck, also keep up the good work. Cheers from a Nats fan! |
| September 21, 2012 Hey Zack, My name is Joe and we briefly met after the Mets game at CitiField last night (I was wearing the Mookie Wilson jersey). I just wanted to thank you again for giving me the ball for my niece, it made her night. I was going to ask you for another for my sons at home but I didn't want to get greedy. Besides saying thanks I also wanted to tell you that I think it is so cool what you do. That is like a dream come true for me as I have always been facinated by getting baseballs at games. Unfortunately the number of balls I have gotten is only 5 and I have not gotten one since May 5th, 2005. That is why I was so pissed that security guard yelled at me to not climb over that divider to get that HR ball in batting practice. I never really do the batting practice thing, that seems like where there is low hanging fruit. I thought you may find it intersting hearing my log of balls I have gotten over the years, maybe you won't but here it is anyway: Ball # 1 - Sometime in the early 90's - Shea Stadium - Expos at Mets - A Tim Wallach foul ball that rolled under the seats. I still remember to this day that there were like 5 sets of hands grabbing for it and I had to hold on with all of my might. Ball # 2 - April 5th, 1993 - Shea Stadium - Rockies at Mets - This was the first ever game the Rockies played. We skipped class and I drove down from Marist College, where I went to school, to attend the game. My friend and I both got pulled over for speeding on the Taconic Parkway. Back to the ball...it was a foul ball, that I don't remember who hit, which bounced off the seats and came right to me. Ball # 3 - October 22nd, 2000 (World Series Game # 2) - Yankee Stadium - Mets at Yankees - This was the infamous game where Clemens threw the bat at Piazza and said he thought it was the ball. That made no sense because even if it was the ball why would he be throwing it at Piazza?! I guess that is what steroids will do to you. I was also at the game in 2002 when Shawn Estes attempted to retaliate by throwing at Clemens but threw it behind him. I really was upset with Piazza for never going after Clemens, he went after Guillermo Mota instead. Anway, back to the ball...It was during warmups and I had on a Mets jersey, we were in RF 2nd level. John Franco pointed to me and threw the ball up, I caught it on the first try. My buddy, who got the tickets, was waving so Franco threw him one, which he missed and then another which he missed. I said "let me do it" and Franco threw one more...I missed too. To this day my friend is pissed about it. A couple of years later I met John Franco in a men's room at a restaurant in Pittburgh. I told him he had thrown me a ball at the WS and he said "I don't remember you guy"...I think he thought I meant he should remember me when I was really just trying to thank him. I think he thought I was a stalker or something. It was a little awkward, and we were in the men's room. Ball # 4 - August 28th, 2003 - Turner Field - Mets at Braves - I was drunk, on vacation and so obnoxious to the home crowd. I kept doing the Braves chant "Whoaaa..oh..ohohoho..whoaaa..ohoh" with the chop. We were seeting near the Mets dugout and Jae Weong Seo was on the top step playing with a ball the entire game. I was in his ear for at least 3 innings to throw me the ball..."Seo, I came all the way from NY to see you play...pleeeease throw me the ball!". I think he had enough and figured he would throw me the ball just to shut me up. Mets won the game and afterward I saw a hot mom with a baby and her husband. I started chanting "MILF, MILF, MILF"..the guy was pretty big and started to come at me...thank God his wife held him back. Ball # 5 - May 5th, 2005 - Shea Stadium - Phillies at Mets - Got the best seats I have ever had in my life from a co-worker. We were literally in the front row right next to the Mets dugout. The on deck circle was so close you could almost touch the guy swinging there. I had one of my nieces with us so the ball boy just kept giving us balls that he would retrieve. We ended up with 4 balls, one for me, one for my dad, one for my niece and one for her brother at home. After the game Cliff Floyd autographed all 4 balls for us. I am a HUGE baseball fan and a HUGE Mets fan. My friends and I travel once a year to see new ballparks and our teams (there are 5 of us..3 Yankee Fans, a Phillies fan and me...the Mets fan). The only ballparks I have NOT been to are Safeco Field, Angel Stadium, Minute Maid Park, Chase Field, Petco Park (although I was at The Murph) and Marlins Park (although I was at Joe Robbie/Pro Player). Sorry for babbling on, I didn't intend for this to be so long but once you start reminicing..well you probably know. I am going to my final game of the season tomorrow, not sure if you will be there or not but if you are maybe we will bump into each other again. Again, great meeting you and thanks. -Joe |
| September 14, 2012 Greetings from Alaska Zack! My name is Daniel (and I'm over 40 for those of you scoring at home)...I've thouroghly enjoyed your exploits reading your blog. It's always been fascinating to me to snag a baesball. I've come close-once! (this knucklehead clobbered me blindside AND broke my sunglasses scrambling for a BP ball smoked by Ichiro at Arlington!) I envy your abilities to go to all the parks Although, I was at the very last game at old Arlington Stadium...George Brett's last game!...Anyhoo, I digress. Is there anyway I could snag a ball from the old Master Zack? I have always wanted an official ball from a game...I'd be glad to pay for one. I noticed several you had from LA- lifelong Dodger fan here...game used one would be greatness! Listen, I'm a big kid at heart when it comes to things like catching a ball. Have fun rest of the way this season and hope to hear from you! God bless, Daniel Wasilla, Alaska |
| September 13, 2012 Zack - I really enjoyed reading your blog! I live in the DC area and am a Nats season ticket holder. Was possibly interested in watching a game (or a pair) with you in DC. Do you have any plans to be here for any of the Nats' upcoming games? How much would it cost other than the $500 (i.e., what would you charge for travel and hotel)? -Mike |
| September 7, 2012 Hey Zack, I just wanted to tell you that I had to do a project in Social Studies about a person I admire and I chose you. The project turned out really well and I wanted to thank you for inspiring me to write about you and for inspiring me on becoming a ballhawk. -Jack |
September 7, 2012 I love what you're doing dude. I live up in Canada in Vancouver, and I'm definitely jealous with the amount of games you go to. I usually convince my buddies to attend one Mariners game a year since it's the closest option for MLB. Up here, we have an A-League team in the Northwest League, and I've been a bit of a ballhawk at their games and during their practices for a couple years. I've collected about 30 balls so far. I've got 1 MLB ball after I snagged a foul ball at a Mariners game a couple years back. Just wondering, any interest in making a 1 for 1 trade of one of your MLB balls for a highly coveted official Northwest League ball?? Haha, it sounds funny, but hey, maybe it would be something you'd like to add to your collection. Keep on hawkin man, and maybe we'll catch a Mariners game someday. Cheers, -Nick |
| September 1, 2012 Hey Zack, my name is Nick and I have a younger brother (Colton) who are big fans of yours. We saw the game last night and felt bad to see you not come up with the home run, but you just got to remember we all have our bad days and just gotta look forward to what the future has in store. We actually did have the opportunity to meet you on 7/29/2008 at old Yankee Stadium, but I know you have met tons of people over time and probably don’t remember us. But we both think its awsome what you do, and me and my brother both attend many minor league as well as some major league games throughout the year. We had the opportunity to get interviewed n CBS21 of Harrisburg, about what we do which we learned from reading your blog over the years. It’s pretty neat, and I even tossed in some lines you have mentioned before lol, so the web adress is http://www.whptv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=3706877&navCatId=20127 If this don’t work just type in cbs21 on google, go to thier main page, and under sports videos its called “Brothers beat the odds as All Star Baseball Collectors.” Its just an interview thats pretty cool… Enjoy and we both wish you the best of luck with your snagging the rest of the 2012 season! |
| August 30, 2012 Hey Zack , just a note to thank you for your hospitality and generosity on our recent Baseball Tour of the States. We had a great time at every game but the highlight was definitely watching your superhuman ball hawking abillty. I thoroughly enjoyed the games we shared and have mounted the balls we snagged to remember the fun we had getting them. No doubt we will return to the States again in the future and look forward to catching up if you like. Don't forget the invitation to Australia any time you like. We have a game called 20/20 cricket you might enjoy. Regardss and best wishes. -Ray Watch With Zack client on 7/6/12 and 7/7/12 at Citizens Bank Park |
August 25, 2012 All the best always!! -Carl and the boys |
| August 22, 2012 Zack, I love following your blog. Keep up the great writing. I have a question/favor to ask you. My dad is a ballhawk and loves collecting baseballs. He also has your book and follows your blog. Do you talk autograph requests through the mail? I’ve made a cool Rawlings baseball "die cut print" for his birthday. It would be awesome if I could send you an Self Address Stamped Envelope for you to sign it and mail back…It would be a sweet gift to give him. If not, I understand. You are a very busy dude. Thanks for a prompt reply! -Ryan |
August 16, 2012 I want to start of by saying that I always enjoy reading your blogs. I'm from Toronto and I snagged my first and only ball so far (I'm only 15 and just started going after balls recently) earlier this season against the Phillies. I was looking at your blogs from Skydome (I refuse to call it Rogers Centre) from last May and I noticed that you talked about how some of the balls had grey streaks on them. I know that I don't really have enough balls to make a great guess, but my ball had similar markings on it as well. I don't think that it's something the Blue Jays put on their balls. My guess is that it probably has something to do with that god-awful carpet they call a field. I know I'm pretty late with this, but I just read it and figured I may as well give you my thought on it. Also, I have a question for you. I've been in Los Angeles since early July visiting family and in that time I've managed to catch three Dodgers games. I was in the Left Field Pavilion, standing next to the Dodgers bullpen with my friend and his sister who for the record, didn't have a glove. For some reason though, all you have to do to get a ball at an MLB game is to be a girl and be in attendance. One of the Dodgers coaches, looked up at her, and tossed the ball right up. However, since she didn't have a glove (sigh), she wasn't able to catch it. So I reached out with my glove, caught the ball, and of course, handed it right to her with no hesitation. Now, of course there was no way I wasn't going to give the ball to her, but I'm you can imagine how painful it was for me to let go of that ball, which would have only been my second ever, and had a perfect Dodger Stadium 50th anniversary logo on it. This aside, my question is whether or not I should count it as a snagged ball. I don't think I'm going to, but I wanted to get your input on it. It's not like I intended to catch the ball for myself, and it was only in my glove for about two seconds. But then again, I was the first one to obtain it, so I'm sort of stuck on that. Lastly, I just wanted to say again that I really enjoy what you do. I wouldn't have snagged my first ball back in May if I hadn't stumbled across one of your videos on Youtube last year, and then your blog later on. Somehow, it never occurred to me to go to batting practise and try to get a ball that way. By the way, do you have any plans on returning to Toronto any time soon? It would be awesome to meet you. Sorry I wrote you a mini essay here. I know you're a busy man and this is nothing important, but it would be great if you could reply to me sometime. Keep up the great stuff. -Shane |
August 12, 2012 Then I went to my first minor league game at the beginning of the summer. Got a Florida State League ball tossed to me then, too. Like I said, I'm from South Florida so naturally I'm a big Marlins fan. Went to maybe 6 or 7 games this summer so far and I got lucky at 2 games. Nationals coach tossed me a ball when I was in the left field bleachers just above the Marlins 'pen, and another time, Padres RP Edinson Volquez tossed me a ball when I was in the right field bleachers between visiting 'pen and foul pole. All in all, I've gotten five baseballs this season. Before this season, I'd never left a game with one. I'm really thankful for your tips and advice and, really, showing me that it is possible to go home with a part of the game. I get how you feel when it comes to getting a baseball. The idea that one player might've just hit it, or two players used the ball to play catch or warm up, and then that ball would hopefully and miraculously find itself in my glove, shock and awe doesn't seem to do the feeling justice. I guess people like us really don't grow up from loving the game like we did as kids. I'm moving to Boston now for law school and I'm gonna take my girlfriend to a game at Fenway sometime in September: one last game of the season. Probably go to either the Blue Jays or Orioles weekend series. Catch the Friday night festivities and soak in the atmosphere. And, of course, try to catch a ball. So maybe you can give me a couple tips about Fenway, a park I'm largely unfamiliar with when it comes to snagging. Thanks a bunch, and keep it up. Well done on #6000. -Ben |
August 6, 2012 Instead of Ballhawking, we went to Monument Park and the Yankees Museum in right field. I'm glad I saw that stuff, because I may have regretted it had I just stayed in the seats. Plus, I know how impossible it is there for a first timer, so I reluctantly agreed to skip out. I WAS disappointed when I was told we had an extra season ticket in the Delta Suite for Saturday. That was probably the only way I was going to coax you into showing up! I've tweeted you before and asked, but are there any plans to come to Wrigley or Miller Park anytime soon? I know you did your tour last year, but I was back at school by the time you made it here. Not only did you stop right next to Illinois State in Normal to have some noodles, but you met my girlfriend Kyra at Wrigley and signed your book and a ball for me (Thanks, by the way. You're right next to Pete Rose in my display case). I'm getting tired of narrowly missing you in all these places! -Ryan |
| August 5, 2012 If you ever come to St. Louis to see a game I would love to join you for batting practice. I'm a huge fan. -Brendan St. Louis, MO |
August 2, 2012 I have just been looking at your latest blog. |
| August 1, 2012 hey Zach I saw you at the game today august 1st Orioles vs Yankees...I actually came up to you as you were leaning over the ledge of the visitors bullen....to be honest you are my idle and some I really look up to since I was 8 or 9 now Im about to turn 17 this month and your are one of the most important people I look up to and to actually meet you today was amazing. |
August 1, 2012 -Rafi |
| July 31, 2012 ever since reading your blog ive been getting tons of balls! im at 30 balls now. any chance of you coming to tampa soon? u rock -Jaycob Tampa, FL |
| July 26, 2012 Zack, Just wanted to let you know what a pleasure it was running into you, in the whole awesomeness of baseball and everything about it; it was PERFECT! When someone shares the same kind of passion about something as you do then you randomly run into that person, well its not random if you know what I mean. I love what your doing. Keep having fun and I will be waiting to see you post your 10,000 ball. MLB baseballs sell for $30 at petco, DAMN at 10,000 balls thats over a quarter million in baseballs. I also wanted to let ya know I like the way you write, quite talented. One last thing, you are correct about T.C. and myself out shagging all the competition at PETCO. F.Y.I. I caught 4 homeruns on the fly in BP on the 19th (not 3) LoL.... your friend, Kurt........... |
July 24, 2012 |
July 23, 2012 It was nice to meet you at the Padres game last Saturday night. We were in the first row, 3rd base line. Thank you for giving both of my boys a ball. Both Cory and Ryan really appreciated it. I also appreciated it because as it turned out, they did not snag any other balls that particular game. Every Padres game that we have attended, BOTH boys have EACH gotten a ball. If we did not meet you, this would have been the first Padres game that they did not get a ball. You kept the streak going! We will enjoy reading your blog and hope to meet up at some point in the future. |
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