Indians vs Pirates, Progressive, 6/17/2011, 6/18/2011

I had planned at the beginning of the season to go to two games of the Pirates at Cleveland for interleague play.

This would be my 2nd and 3rd game at Cle this year.

I started off by playing behind the home run porch as the Indians took early bp, the action started for me early as I was able to snag a ball that rolled out into the street in the pic below, it was also the spot of where a stadium worker walked out cradling four balls, I simply stated wow you got alot of balls there, and he non chalantly tossed me one, Ball#1/2.

More often then not these days it seems as stadium workers at CLE are doing a great job at rounding up the balls hit into the stands during early bp, and the early portion of regular bp. I counted at least 5-6 balls enter the stands, between Erik and myself, one ball was found, I found it sitting in a seat, which was probably why it lasted, Ball#3.

Shortly into the CLE bp session, I was able to get Mitch Talbots attention for a tossed ball, Ball#4.

Although my stats have been good lately I had been on an 8 game draught for caught hrs which I vowed to end today. An unknown Indian would hit a towering hr which I was in position to make a can of corn catch for Ball#5 here.

Next would be a scrum for a home run which took some favorable bounces my way, after picking up the ball I noticed that a woman holding her baby made a very valiant attempt at getting to this ball amidst the crowd of people going after it, for her awesome effort I gave it to her, which would I guess be her childs first ever MLB baseball which I was glad to be a part of. They were from Philly and taking a trip to multiple baseball stadiums on the East coast. Here is mom and baby with the ball. Nice meeting you guys.

Next the Pirates were hitting and I was able to catch another hr on the fly for Ball#7.

Next was over to left field to see if I could get the Pirates pitchers who are familiar with me to throw some toss ups which worked as I first got Tim Wood to toss me Ball#8.

Next I was able to get Paul Maholms attention at the warning track for Ball#9.

With bp over and needing one more ball for double digits I played my ace in the hole and hit up Herbie Andrade in the bullpen where he recognized me quickly and tossed me Ball#10.

Day-10

Year-173

Career-924

Game 2 of Indians vs Pirates

I would again try my chances at getting on the board outside of the gate behind the home run porch, with no luck today. I did notice a few balls put into the seats and was able to find one of them for Ball#1.

Next I scrummed a ball that hit off a little kids glove for Ball#2 which I gave to him after picking it up.

Next was a toss up from an unidentified Indian in the pic below for Ball#3.

Ball#4 was a caught hr off the bat of Shin Soo Choo.

Next was another toss up from an unidentified Indian player for Ball#5.

I would wrap up the day making a catch that was a little below the railing in lf which was a difficult play but caught on the fly underhanded for Ball#6.