There’s just something about the prospect of catching a foul ball at a baseball game that makes people lose all sense of appropriate decorum in a public space. Sure, it’s a baseball that anyone can purchase for $25 online, but when it comes off the bat of a big-league player, they MUST have it. Some have waited their entire life for that thrill.
Just like Bob from North Jersey, a Mets fan since 1962.
During the sixth inning of Wednesday’s Game 1 doubleheader between the Mets and Pirates, the SNY broadcast sent field reporter Steve Gelbs out to the stands at PNC Park with a glove in hand. His goal was to catch a foul ball, and amazingly, that mission was accomplished in the middle of his report.
🚨 @SteveGelbs GOT A BALL 🚨
Special appearance by Bob from North Jersey, Mets fan since '62. pic.twitter.com/rijnjgdnlf
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 7, 2022
As Gelbs was basking in the glory of his souvenir, a group of fans surrounded the reporter to ask for the baseball. The prominent voice among the crowd was Bob. He said he is 70 years old and never got a ball from a baseball game in his life. Gelbs wasn’t particularly moved by Bob’s pleading for the baseball, but as the crowd grew, Gelbs did give Bob from North Jersey some airtime.
But no, Bob did not get the baseball. Besides if you’re 70 years old and haven’t caught a foul ball, wouldn’t you want to actually earn the souvenir? It can’t be the same satisfaction to beg another grown adult to hand you the baseball. You just need to stay determined and catch your own baseball one day … or … you could buy the $25 baseball, throw it in some dirt and basically have the same thing.
Either way, baseball fans had plenty of thoughts about the scene in Pittsburgh.