Have you ever got a ball at a game before?

[sportscardpete]

It was a wonderful experience. I was around 7 years old. They took me around the club house and I got to sit in the dugout before the game. I met all of the prominent Yankees during the year. Funny story, the only person to decline me an autograph was CHUCK KNOBLAUCH. He simply walked away from me. I have framed a Derek Jeter signed jersey, and a picture of him signing it while the jersey was on my back. I wore his jersey, and he initiated the signing. Everyone was very friendly. The jersey is the most cherished part of my sports collection. It just means a lot because my dad worked so hard getting me the opportunity. I will definitely try to do the same for my son!

[whitehse]

I remember getting a few foul balls when I was a kid.

The 1st one was at Wrigley in the early 70's. A foul pop up came our way, my mom tried to catch it and it bounced off her hand. The guy next to us who got the ball turned around and handed it to me. The thing is I begged my mom and dad to let me take my glove to the game but they said no, that I would only lose it and besides a ball will never come our way.

In 1977 at Comiskey park my little league team had seats in the 1st row down the left field line. a foul ground ball dribbled by the 3rd baseman and I took my hat and scooped the ball up.

Fast forward a few years and I worked for the Chicago Cubs for seven years. For two years my job was dugout security, sitting on the bench during the games and received many baseballs during that time. Umpires, players groundscrew would always give me baseballs even without asking. I remember being on the field when Tony Pena was hitting BP and he nailed me with a one hop liner right in the rear end. I still have that ball!!!

My most memorable ball story was during the 1984 playoffs between the Cubs and Padres, they had a work out day before the series started. This workout was closed to the public but I was asked to be the security in the bleachers while the workout went on. Being the only one out there any baseball that went into the seats was mine. I ended up throwing some back, throwing a good number to the ballhawks waiting on the streets and pocketing a bunch for myself.

I had a incredible seven years and have memories that I will never forget.