Home Run Derby

One of the best things about baseball is that with so many at-bats in a season … whatever you can think of is probably going to happen (like when that bat stood up on its end after an at bat a couple years ago).  So it kinda surprises me that very few baseballs ever hit the TV cameras around MLB ballparks.

But that’s not the case in the other fields around America, where cameras are taking a beating from baseballs …  whether it be batted or thrown.

Here’s a clip from the Little League World Series a couple years ago.  Take it away, Brent Musburger.

That’s not the only time a pitch has hit a camera behind the plate.  Here’s another pitcher who’s throwing …. juuust a bit outside

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Personally, I consider a signed baseball to be one of the coolest souvenirs you can get from a baseball game.   I have only one autographed  baseball, signed by Jim Thome.  It’s not certified or anything, but I’m not going to sell it.  It’s a lasting memory.

But mind you, some signed baseballs are better than others.  Ones that have a real personal touch.  Ones that connect a player to a fan, a moment, or even … history.

Let’s take a look at some of the best instances of ink on rawhide leather.

Pete Rose
Cincinnati Reds

I like it when people confront an issue head on … but this one stings a little bit. 

Because after years of denying that he ever bet on baseball, now Pete Rose is selling baseballs at PeteRose.com that undeniably say that he bet on baseball.

For $250.20.

What the heck is with the 20 cents? 
Is that the value of Rose’s fake apology?

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We just showed you some guy who could catch a baseball without dropping his video camera, but these guys have him beat for fans who can catch a ball.

Let’s go to the world of Cricket, where this Aussie bloke grabs a ball – which is even more impressive when you consider he did it one handed because he was talking on his cell phone.

Barehanding a Home Run at a Softball game is impressive enough … but while holding a baby in your other arm?

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One of the best things about going to a baseball game is that you can get yourself a souvenir – as in a baseball. 

Whether a player gives you one, you pick one up off the field, or you catch it – if it leaves the playing field, you can keep it. 

Let’s check on some video of fans catching baseballs (and other balls).

Here’s a first person view of how to grab a batting practice Home Run.  This one comes off the bat of the Phillies’ Jayson Werth before Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS at Dodger Stadium.  What makes it impressive is that the videographer is the one who catches the ball. 

H/T: The Fightins

Impressively, that guy seems to be the King of BP at Dodger Stadium – he’s caught a number of BP Homers - here he is catching a Torii Hunter Batting Practice Home Run.

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