What are the statistical chances of catching a baseball in the outfield of a Major League Game? I don’t know the exact answer, but my guess would be extremely low. Those lucky individuals that are the exception always become the object of other fan’s jealousy. What those individuals do with their prize varies from keeping it for themselves, to actually throwing it back in the field of play if it is the visiting team’s ball that happens to invade their hometown space. What you rarely see is a lucky fan that catches the once in a lifetime prize give the ball to someone around him.
Well, on May 18th, 2014 at Yankees Stadium this exact thing happened. But what happened after that was such a statistical anomaly that Karma had to be lurking in the wings to make it a reality.
On May 18th, 2014 I happened to be at the particular game mentioned above where the Yankees played the Pirates of Pittsburgh. I was sitting down the first base line about halfway into the outfield. We were essentially sitting directly to the left of Alfonso Soriano, the Yankees Right Fielder, about 10 rows up.
Well, on May 18th, 2014 at Yankees Stadium this exact thing happened. But what happened after that was such a statistical anomaly that Karma had to be lurking in the wings to make it a reality.
On May 18th, 2014 I happened to be at the particular game mentioned above where the Yankees played the Pirates of Pittsburgh. I was sitting down the first base line about halfway into the outfield. We were essentially sitting directly to the left of Alfonso Soriano, the Yankees Right Fielder, about 10 rows up.
The game started with a flurry of scoring in the first inning. The Pirates second batter Neil Walker crushed a home run ball. The Yankees then scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st to lead 3-1. After scoring again in the 2nd inning the Yankees led 4-1. By the end of the 5th inning the Pirates had scored 2 more runs to trail 4-3. Well not much excitement (scoring wise) happened after that, but something amazing happened in the bottom of the 6th that I doubt has ever happened in the history of America’s Greatest Pastime.
Brian McCann was up to bat. The 3rd pitch came inside and Brian cranked it into the right field foul ball area. For a minute my heart started racing as the ball appeared to be coming to my section. My mind danced as I quickly planned how I might catch it if I was indeed lucky enough to have that opportunity to scramble for that ball. Sure enough, it sailed a little to the right and about 5 rows back into the hands of a very lucky fan. He bare handed the ball and before he could even sit down this young man handed the ball to a young boy that was sitting on his mother’s lap. Well, there is a belief that Karma will do unto you what you have done unto others.
Now, catching a foul, fly ball isn't completely uncommon. I think we’d all agree that it is extremely rare. Obviously the chances of a season ticket holder who attend every home game are much higher than the occasional game attendee. I’m sure the statistics exist, but what I witnessed 3 pitches later had to be a once in a billion chance of ever happening. Picking all the correct winners in the NCAA bracket has nothing on this! :)
At this point in the pitcher/batter exchange, Brian McCann was down on the count 1-2, needing to ‘protect the plate’. The next pitch after the foul ball was a ball putting the count at 2-2. The next pitch was a foul ball straight back. I would not have believed what happened next had I not seen it myself. That next pitch had the wings of Karma as its pilot. Sure enough, Brian swung with all he had and the ball once again set sail for my neck of the woods. The excitement rose again quickly, only to turn to disappointment as I realized it wasn't coming to me. However, as I watched the ball sail over my head again, I turned and saw the ball land in the hands of the exact same fan that caught the previous foul ball by the same batter. At that point, the entire 2 sections at Yankee stadium ahhhed in amazement as the fan once again took the cherished prize and handed it to a young fan in front of him. The sections erupted in cheers, applauding this young Yankee fan’s luck and charitable acts.
What a great thing to witness. Once again, I’m not sure what the statistical odds would be for the same guy to catch 2 fly balls from the same batter in a 4 pitch sequence. I’m sure it off the charts low. Somehow I wonder if Karma played a part.
Brian McCann was up to bat. The 3rd pitch came inside and Brian cranked it into the right field foul ball area. For a minute my heart started racing as the ball appeared to be coming to my section. My mind danced as I quickly planned how I might catch it if I was indeed lucky enough to have that opportunity to scramble for that ball. Sure enough, it sailed a little to the right and about 5 rows back into the hands of a very lucky fan. He bare handed the ball and before he could even sit down this young man handed the ball to a young boy that was sitting on his mother’s lap. Well, there is a belief that Karma will do unto you what you have done unto others.
Now, catching a foul, fly ball isn't completely uncommon. I think we’d all agree that it is extremely rare. Obviously the chances of a season ticket holder who attend every home game are much higher than the occasional game attendee. I’m sure the statistics exist, but what I witnessed 3 pitches later had to be a once in a billion chance of ever happening. Picking all the correct winners in the NCAA bracket has nothing on this! :)
At this point in the pitcher/batter exchange, Brian McCann was down on the count 1-2, needing to ‘protect the plate’. The next pitch after the foul ball was a ball putting the count at 2-2. The next pitch was a foul ball straight back. I would not have believed what happened next had I not seen it myself. That next pitch had the wings of Karma as its pilot. Sure enough, Brian swung with all he had and the ball once again set sail for my neck of the woods. The excitement rose again quickly, only to turn to disappointment as I realized it wasn't coming to me. However, as I watched the ball sail over my head again, I turned and saw the ball land in the hands of the exact same fan that caught the previous foul ball by the same batter. At that point, the entire 2 sections at Yankee stadium ahhhed in amazement as the fan once again took the cherished prize and handed it to a young fan in front of him. The sections erupted in cheers, applauding this young Yankee fan’s luck and charitable acts.
What a great thing to witness. Once again, I’m not sure what the statistical odds would be for the same guy to catch 2 fly balls from the same batter in a 4 pitch sequence. I’m sure it off the charts low. Somehow I wonder if Karma played a part.
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