I caught a home run ball from JD Martinez! Now what??

[scooter729]

At the Red Sox / Rangers game at Fenway last night, I caught (OK, picked up after it smashed off the hand of the guy next to me) a home run ball from JD Martinez.

Nothing extraordinary about the homer - didn't win the game, not a milestone number or anything, just #13 of the season and #208 of his career. Exciting as it was, the ball went into my pocket and now is sitting on my bureau.

Cool as it was to get it, I wasn't sure what exactly to do with it now. It's my first home run ball (I've got a foul ball and ground rule double before), so I want to keep it. But I also don't know much about this area of memorabilia, so I wasn't sure if there was something else I should do or should've done.

Could I have had it somehow authenticated at the game by the Red Sox? Do I write an inscription on it describing what it is? If I ever tried to sell it (not even knowing what demand there is for something like this), is it just based on my word?

Not exactly my area of expertise, so figured I would throw it out to anyone here who might know more. And since every thread is better with a picture, here's a pic of the ball...

[JMEnglish27]

You're unfortunately too late now, but I believe most parks have an on-site authentication service where, when you provide them with where you were sitting, and the ball, they'll put one of those hologram sticker thingies on it that's somehow databased to what it is.

Don't quote me on that, not exactly sure how it works or if it's at all parks/at all times.

[packs]

If you can find a replay of the home run and find yourself on video retrieving the ball, that would be pretty iron clad. I assume they filmed the home run.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by packs

If you can find a replay of the home run and find yourself on video retrieving the ball, that would be pretty iron clad. I assume they filmed the home run.

It was shown briefly on TV before the shot cut back to Martinez circling the bases - I did a screen grab which is attached here. I quickly had done this for my friends who were with me, and they are the three in the red boxes to the left. I'm the one on the right with a dark red jacket - can't really see my face in this shot, though I'm holding the ball up. I'll see if I can find an HD version and freeze frame it a bit better.

[Jim65]

If you plan to keep it, then you know its legit. Put it in a nice display with the stub and a label explaining what it is.

If you plan to sell it, its next to impossible to prove it is what you say it is.Even with pics, someone still has to take your word thats the exact ball and not pulling a switch.

Congrats on the catch.

[ramram]

Personally, I'd give it to the kid nearest to me at the game.

Rob M

[scooter729]

Thanks all - I do plan to keep it and have no intention of selling, and probably will jot a note on the ball (or on a sticky note) explaining what it is. But just wanted to make sure since this isn't my specialty, that there isn't something else I should do since it just happened.

And my 7 year old is pretty excited about it as well, so that's the kid I'm sharing the ball with!

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by ramram

Personally, I'd give it to the kid nearest to me at the game.

Rob M

you're very nice. I would kick the ball away from the kid, spill drinks and do whatever was fair to get the ball. In fact I did just that in 1980. Sitting behind home plate a foul ball off Lenny Dykstra's bat, thrown By Fernando Valenzuela went high in the air. It hit my had and scooted below me a few seats over where 2 kids were sitting. I got down on the ground and did a swipe kick using my foot as a scoop. Spilled two drinks and got the ball. Poor kids. They have to learn as I did many many games as a young kid never getting a ball.

I bought everyone drinks of course and sitting behind me was Don Newcombe. I had him sign the ball. All is fair in love and baseballs in the stands.

Nice job getting the HR Ball!!!!! I would get JD to sign it at some point and keep it with the rest of your stuff.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by bigj7489

You're unfortunately too late now, but I believe most parks have an on-site authentication service where, when you provide them with where you were sitting, and the ball, they'll put one of those hologram sticker thingies on it that's somehow databased to what it is.

Don't quote me on that, not exactly sure how it works or if it's at all parks/at all times.

Good thought - I did just Google and they do have on-site authenticators at every MLB game, but it's only for on-field items. If a ball leaves the field such as a homer, they do not authenticate, unless it is a milestone item (big HR, etc). In those cases, they will come find you, not you finding them. So I guess that's out.