7/10/09 @ Miller Park

July 11, 2009

I’m strapped for time so this entry will be short and sweet…my flight for St. Louis leaves in 5 hrs. and I still need to pack.

When I ran into the stadium, there were a bunch of the players’ kids shagging BP.  After about 2 minutes, a young man (maybe 13-14 yrs. old) tossed me BALL #1 as the players’ and their kids exited the field.

The Dodgers came out and BP homers were few and far between.  The stands were packed and the sun made shagging in left field nearly impossible.
So, I headed to right field. 

After little to no action over there, I asked BRENT LEACH for a baseball.  He turned and I had BALL #2.

Here’s what that ball looked like…

The Dodgers write “LA” on the sweetspot of their BP balls.

I don’t mind…gives the ball a little character.

Can you believe that was it for BP? 
Man-Ram hit three BP homers (2 of which went into the left field bullpen).

Everyone thinks their home stadium is tough to ballhawk in…I get that.
But, believe me, Miller Park is tough. 

No place to roam.
No place to run.
Strict ushers.
Huge crowds.
AHHHHHH!!

After BP, I wandered.

I wanted to gain access to this elite little picnic area of the stadium that I had never been to before.  It’s all-you-can-eat until 1 hr. after the 1st pitch.
It’s called the AirTran Airways Landing Zone.
It’s located directly on the field behind the rightfielder.

Here’s a few pics taken from the field bleachers above…

Here’s a few pics from inside…

…yeah, baby!  Just in time for the 1st pitch.

In the top of the 1st inning, Rafael Furcal lifted a long fly ball in my direction.  I thought…was this too good to be true??  It was.  The ball was caught right in front of the fence (and directly in front of me) for the out.

After eating 1 cheeseburger, 1 hot dog, 1 bratwurst w/ kraut, 2 cookies, some baked beans and a pulled pork sandwich…I could hardly move.

After the 3rd inning was complete, I left to go find another view of the game.

Here’s where I ended up…

…it’s called “The Point.”  Only two or three people are allowed to sit in this section per game. 

This is why…

…the seats are called “the best seats in the house.”  Old airline seats!

In the picture above, that’s my glove lying on the seat. 

Here’s the view of the action (straight-ahead) from these seats…

…during a pitching change.

To my left…

…finally, to my right…

Trevor Hoffman blew the save in the 9th and the Brewers ended up losing in ten innings.

I did get an ump ball from Mark Wegner after the game to make it 3 on the day.

Finals…

…3 baseballs.  (only 2 are shown-1 was given away to a young Brewers fan on the walk out of the stadium)

2009 BALLHAWKING STATS

• 3 total balls 7/10/09

3 toss-up baseballs

ATTENDANCE:  41,811

2009 TOTAL BASEBALLS

4/7/09   = 5   baseballs
4/8/09   = 10 baseballs
4/9/09   = 10 baseballs
4/10/09 = 3   baseballs
4/11/09 = 5   baseballs
4/12/09 = 5   baseballs
4/13/09 = 11 baseballs
4/14/09 = 6   baseballs
4/21/09 = 5   baseballs
4/27/09 = 15 baseballs
4/28/09 = 9   baseballs
4/30/09 = 4   baseballs
5/01/09 = 7   baseballs
5/02/09 = 4   baseballs
5/08/09 = 11 baseballs
5/09/09 = 1   lousy ball
5/12/09 = 14 baseballs
5/13/09 = 12 baseballs
5/19/09 = 8   baseballs
5/22/09 = 3   baseballs
5/23/09 = 2   baseballs
5/26/09 = 3   baseballs
5/29/09 = 6   baseballs
5/30/09 = 5   baseballs
6/01/09 = 1   baseball
6/02/09 = 9   baseballs
6/09/09 = 4   baseballs
6/10/09 = 0   baseballs
6/11/09 = 2   baseballs
6/12/09 = 9   baseballs
6/23/09 = 6   baseballs
6/24/09 = 9   baseballs
6/26/09 = 9   baseballs
6/27/09 = 4   baseballs
6/29/09 = 3   baseballs
6/30/09 = 5   baseballs
7/07/09 = 6   baseballs
7/10/09 = 3   baseballs
___________________

234 baseballs (38 games)
6.16 average per game

Now, it’s off to St. Louis.

If you’re watching the Home Run Derby on Monday night, watch for the yellow shirt in the right field bleachers at Busch Stadium.
My seat is located directly behind the right field bullpen in the 1st row on the railing.
I’ll have my trademark yellow “Happy Youngster” shirt on.

Hopefully, one of the big boys will hit me one or ten.

 

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Written by mlblogsthehappyyoungster Posted in Dailies Tagged with 2009 Home Run Derby, Brent Leach, Manny Ramirez, Miller Park, Milwaukee Brewers, Nick Yohanek, The Happy Youngster