My wife took me and my 2.5 year old, Henry, to Wrigley Field for an early Father's Day. Seats were incredible ... third first base line, three rows up. If you've been to Wrigley, you know how close to the action that puts you.
And also how many foul balls come your way, particularly from left-handed hitters.
So here's what I forgot since the last time I was at a game ... people are way too insane about catching a foul ball than they should be. I'm talking grown men ... I saw one guy fall backwards over his chair trying to catch a ball that came off the bat of some no-name player and is worth $2 [max]. I promise you that guy does not try as hard at his job as he did trying to nab that baseball.
What is this madness all about? Clearly there are a few things at play ... (1) people love free stuff (2) people love taking a piece of the action home with them (3) grown men love making great catches, as if to prove that were it not for the knee injury in high school, they would be the ones on the field.
But I'm interested in reading something a bit more academic, or rigorous. I tried Google, thinking a sociologist somewhere has done a study on this. But came up empty (it's a tough set of search terms to nail). So I'm calling all sports fans and clever thinkers [that's you Noah Brier, Alan Wolk, Ian Schaffer, among others] ... where do you think [if at all] something interesting exists on this silly topic?
I've been to a lot of baseball games but have never caught a live ball. In between innings, Jeromy Burnitz through a ball into the bleachers about 3 years ago and I caught it -- that was the first time I got a ball of any kind at a ball game. In a sad sort of way, I was ecstatic. It took 26 years for that to happen -- perhaps, some older men have waited much longer.
Posted by: Dave N | June 14, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I'm not sure where to find research to back anything up but I always thought it had a lot to do with the general competitive show-offiness of dudes at sporting events. Who can shout louder/drink more beer/etc. Especially noticeable in large groups or in front of a lady. All I know is when a ball comes my way I duck and cover, and sometimes scream. I wouldn't even care to bring it home if it was handed to me.
Posted by: Bari | June 14, 2009 at 06:34 PM
I would be fascinated to read an academic study surrounding this topic (or anything else to do with baseball, for that matter)! Have you read the book Moneyball?
Posted by: Rebecca | June 14, 2009 at 09:57 PM
@Bari: yes, our behavior is often driven by the need to impress the females ;)
@Rebecca: no, I haven't read it. Recommend?
Posted by: Ian | June 15, 2009 at 07:32 AM
When you're paying $12 for a beer, the prospect of anything free is pretty compelling. It's like you're sticking it to the man, 'cos you got it for free. HA!
Posted by: kai | June 15, 2009 at 10:37 AM
I was so disappointed when I discovered that this was not an entry about you catching a foul ball... so un-manly of you.
Posted by: J Becker | June 15, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Jamie: Trust me, if I had any chance, I would have ditched the kid, stepped on my wife and made a play for it. All to bask in the glory of owning a piece of leather with no value.
Posted by: Ian | June 15, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I go to a fair amount of games and snag some very good tickets from a friend. In this section most of the foul balls are passed on to little kids even when they are not theirs.
At your first Cub game the first base coach tossed me a ball before the game started. You put it in your pocket and every 30 seconds or so you slipped your hand in your pocket to feel it.
Maybe the ball makes us a child again when we didn't know or care what the ball cost, only that it somehow made you part of this really great American Pastime.
Posted by: Dad | June 15, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Dad: That's the best explanation I've ever heard, and one I hadn't considered. Well done.
Posted by: Ian | June 15, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Yeah, I think it's the child-like excitement is part of it and also it's just a pure odds thing. I've been to a fair amount of games in my day and never caught a foul ball (though my sister did once and she was sitting right next to me!!!) .... That's likely true for the vast majority of baseball fans. Basically, it's a great story (made even better with a crazy catch) but it also makes the fans feel part of the game. I expect there is not going to be a good sociological explanation for this one other than it's part of the mythos of baseball, catching a foul ball (or even better a home run) is every baseball fan's dream.
Posted by: Noah Brier | June 16, 2009 at 09:38 PM