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Here are some of the articles from the past for those of you that want to know a little more about my hobby/obsession!
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MAJOR LEAGUE BALLHAWK - John Witt
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4/12/2009 - Angel Stadium - Angels vs Red Sox - 3 balls
I made it out to Angel Stadium on Easter Sunday for my first Ballhawking outing of the year. I really wasn't expecting to much since I thought that most likely there would be no BP. To my surprise when I walked in the cage and nets were set up and the Red Sox were stretching on the field.
The first 20 minutes was about as exciting as watching astro-turf grow. It was ridiculous since there was only one ball hit that was within 3 sections of where I was. Then came the group with J.D. Drew in it. Last year during the playoffs I remembered that Drew hit quite a few balls down the line.
BALL # 1 - J.D. Drew hit a ball that rolled directly to me at the base of the wall. The great thing about the high walls at Angel stadium is the fact that I am one of just a few that know how to work the wall without falling over. As the ball got closer I leaned over and scooped it up.
About 5 minutes before the end of BP another lefty came up and hit a ball to exactly the same spot. As I leaned over the wall a kid about 19 basically jumped on my back and then proceeded to hit my glove and knock the ball out of my it. To say I was a little ticked off was an understatement. Oh well!!
In the first inning of the game things got a little interesting as Josh Beckett threw a ball at Bobby Abreu's head. Beckett was taking a long time to deliver pitches and Abreu called for time as Beckett was about to let a pitch fly. Maybe Beckett seeing time out was called held on to it a little to long or maybe he was trying to send a message. Either way the benches cleared and the game was held up about 15 minutes. The picture of Beckett was taken by me with my cellphone before the game.
After that in the 2nd inning the Sox hit 2 home runs but neither were close to me. Vladdy hit a dinger in the 8th but by this time I was up above the Angels dugout.
Ball # 2 - Brian Fuentes - At the end of the game after Brian Fuentes struck out the final Red Sox batter he ended up with the game ball. I got a great spot right where the Angels came off the field. Fuentes looked right at me and threw the ball to me. This is where it gets tricky tho ..... there was a guy behind me that yelled "He doesn't need that ball he already got one!" Immediately Fuentes motioned for me to give the ball to the kid and of course I handed it to him. In my stats that is going to count as a ball caught but given away. I did ask the "Ballhawk League" commisioner (AKA Eric) for clarification on whether this ball would count in the "league" stats. I will let you know what they say. As I said however it will count as a ball caught for me in my personal stats!
BALL # 3 - Bat Boy toss up - Just after this happened I was getting ready to walk away and I say a brand new PEARL sitting on a step and a bat boy right next to it. Most of you know that I don't like accepting "Charity" balls but I figured this season with the "Ballhawk League" any ball is worth getting. I asked the bat boy for the ball, he picked it up, looked at it and tossed it my way.
So overall it was a good day.
3 balls (1 caught, 2 thrown - 1 given away)
Season total - 3 Balls Regular Season - 6 Balls WBC - 9 balls total
4/12/2009 - Angel Stadium - Angels vs Red Sox - 3 balls
I made it out to Angel Stadium on Easter Sunday for my first Ballhawking outing of the year. I really wasn't expecting to much since I thought that most likely there would be no BP. To my surprise when I walked in the cage and nets were set up and the Red Sox were stretching on the field.
The first 20 minutes was about as exciting as watching astro-turf grow. It was ridiculous since there was only one ball hit that was within 3 sections of where I was. Then came the group with J.D. Drew in it. Last year during the playoffs I remembered that Drew hit quite a few balls down the line.
BALL # 1 - J.D. Drew hit a ball that rolled directly to me at the base of the wall. The great thing about the high walls at Angel stadium is the fact that I am one of just a few that know how to work the wall without falling over. As the ball got closer I leaned over and scooped it up.
About 5 minutes before the end of BP another lefty came up and hit a ball to exactly the same spot. As I leaned over the wall a kid about 19 basically jumped on my back and then proceeded to hit my glove and knock the ball out of my it. To say I was a little ticked off was an understatement. Oh well!!
In the first inning of the game things got a little interesting as Josh Beckett threw a ball at Bobby Abreu's head. Beckett was taking a long time to deliver pitches and Abreu called for time as Beckett was about to let a pitch fly. Maybe Beckett seeing time out was called held on to it a little to long or maybe he was trying to send a message. Either way the benches cleared and the game was held up about 15 minutes. The picture of Beckett was taken by me with my cellphone before the game.
After that in the 2nd inning the Sox hit 2 home runs but neither were close to me. Vladdy hit a dinger in the 8th but by this time I was up above the Angels dugout.
Ball # 2 - Brian Fuentes - At the end of the game after Brian Fuentes struck out the final Red Sox batter he ended up with the game ball. I got a great spot right where the Angels came off the field. Fuentes looked right at me and threw the ball to me. This is where it gets tricky tho ..... there was a guy behind me that yelled "He doesn't need that ball he already got one!" Immediately Fuentes motioned for me to give the ball to the kid and of course I handed it to him. In my stats that is going to count as a ball caught but given away. I did ask the "Ballhawk League" commisioner (AKA Eric) for clarification on whether this ball would count in the "league" stats. I will let you know what they say. As I said however it will count as a ball caught for me in my personal stats!
BALL # 3 - Bat Boy toss up - Just after this happened I was getting ready to walk away and I say a brand new PEARL sitting on a step and a bat boy right next to it. Most of you know that I don't like accepting "Charity" balls but I figured this season with the "Ballhawk League" any ball is worth getting. I asked the bat boy for the ball, he picked it up, looked at it and tossed it my way.
So overall it was a good day.
3 balls (1 caught, 2 thrown - 1 given away)
Season total - 3 Balls Regular Season - 6 Balls WBC - 9 balls total
Totals 
2009 Balls Caught
WBC Balls 6
MLB Balls 11
MiLB Balls 0
Total Balls 17
Games = 3
Career Totals
MLB Balls (RS) 2,840
MLB Balls (ST) 923
MLB Ball Total 3,763
MiLB Ball Total 1,122
31 year total 4,885
Game HR Total 99*
*includes MLB regular season, playoffs, world series and WBC games
How would you like to learn the tricks of the trade of "Ballhawking"?
For just $249* you can spend a day with me at a game at Dodger Stadium or Angels Stadium of Anaheim. We will hang out and get autographs and I will give you a crash course in becoming a "Ballhawk". Your Ballhawking 101 fee also includes your ticket to the game!
For just $249* you can spend a day with me at a game at Dodger Stadium or Angels Stadium of Anaheim. We will hang out and get autographs and I will give you a crash course in becoming a "Ballhawk". Your Ballhawking 101 fee also includes your ticket to the game!
