Results tagged ‘ Zack Hample ’
I do it all for a Home Run ball.
6/18/10 My Elusive Home Run ball.
Ball Hawking is an intensely strange miss-understood hobby. The only thing stranger than the hobby itself is the folks who participate. Such a wide array of personalities, talents, ages, sizes, and motives.
Most of us are unofficially lead by baseball cult hero and “Professor of Snag” known as Zack Hample.
Ok maybe not led by, but live vicariously through.
Even long time experienced ballhawks have to respect Zack’s stats and the way he rolls. The man can squeeze baseballs out of a ballpark better than a homeless dude trying to get out the last of the mustard for his .99 cent 7-11 hot dog.
Zack I mean that with all the respect in the world brotha you know that.
There is not a day that goes by that at some point I’m not day dreaming about catching my first regular season game home run ball. It’s a fantasy that replays in my head. Believe me it’s very well rehearsed and I look like a stud catching it 
My gut tells me that my first home run ball will be hit by Clint Barmes or Chris Iannetta.
This home run fantasy/quest is one of the driving forces that keeps me blogging and attending so many baseball games. I plan to put all of my stories into a baseball book in the future and how lame would it be if I was missing one the key elements.
I want to be part of baseball history in my own sort of way.
I want to have that bond with the player who hits my home run ball(whether it’s real or imagined). I want to have my own home run story to tell to my grandkids.
I want to hold that baseball, get it autographed and keep it close so I can admire it and brag about it when appropriate.
I will cherish that memory forever because of the time and dedication put into snagg’n it.
You don’t have to understand, most folks don’t. Just remember that everyone has something that drives them besides their jobs and families. Everyone has goals. I just choose to share my goals and adventures with people who appreciate what I do and the way I do it.
Batting practice is just that, practice. I hone my skills there for my big moment. I dedicate my shins, knees and various other body parts during batting practice so that I may stay sharp and on my game.
I’ve had several chances this season at game homers. I’ve been within inches and milliseconds of accomplishing my dream but the regular season game home run still eludes me.
I cannot accept that it won’t happen. That just doesn’t register in my brain.
It’s not a money thing. Chasing game home run balls will not make you rich monetarily, but it is rewarding.
If you’ve already snagg’d a regular season or post season game home run ball I bet there’s not a memory in your brain clearer or that brings back better memories than your first home run catch?
What’s your personal goal? Do you want to climb a 14teener? Do you want to run a marathon? Do you want to attend twenty baseball games a year?
You’ve got to start somewhere.
My goal is difficult but obtainable and I am persistent when I want something.
My next games are Friday June 18, Saturday the 19th and Tuesday the 22nd.
See you at the game.
I’m ”D” The Rockpile Ranter..Still chasing my dream game home run ball.
Crazy fun as the Rockies make that run
8/25/09
Just wanted to update everyone and let you know that Naomi is not lost or missing anymore. She may not want to be found but she is not missing at this point. Props to her mother for some fine detective work(thank you).
I want to personally thank everyone who helped me this week and thank those of you who sent well wishes. This kind of thing is a parent’s worst nightmare and I appreciate all the support.
I love this community and the help I’ve received has been extremely touching. I’m not thrilled with where she’s calling home but at least I have closure. Krista, Hunter, Mylee and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts…D The Rockpile Ranter
8/25/09 Dodgers vs Rockies Game 1
For those of you who were worried about the rain and stayed home missing this epic Rockies game let me just say you Fu*ked up.
Last night Coors field was buzzing like a giant size orgasmatron which in the end left the Dodgers feeling wet and unfulfilled
I was first through the Rockpile gate today.
As much as I like Zack Hample there was no way he was getting inside my Pavilion before I was. That actually paid off for me. As I decended the pavilion stairs Aaron Cook was picking a baseball up from the outfield fence and I said “Hey Aaron” and held up my glove. I normally don’t ask but I was the first one there and it was just me and Aaron.
Aaron looked up and tossed me that ball…Thank you Aaron. His toss was a bit short and rolled underneath the bleachers all the way to the front of row two. I was the only one in that section so I casually walked down the bleachers to the bottom and picked it up. When I looked up standing in front of me was Zack Hample “The King of Snag” as I’ve labeled him.
Batting practice was all about fun today. I actually had some play on a bunch of homers that I thought were out of my reach. I bobbled one of them, chased several more and came up short. Twice during BP I missed a toss up form Seth Smith who I swear was trying to toss right to me. Sorry Seth my bad, I do appreciate it.
Dan and Zack
At one point I took out my camera and was going to try to shoot some video of Zack snagging a homer but as soon as I “whipped it out”…. I was tracking another baseball in my area.
I let it hit the bleacher in front of me and it bounced back into my row. I wasn’t going to dive for it because I had my camera in my hand. As I reached down to possess it another Rockies fan got all up in my space and snatched it up.
I believe I mentioned something like “Dude if you want it that bad you can have it”. At that point my entire mission for the rest of BP was to deny that pr-ick another baseball.
It worked, the last homer of batting practice was caught by yours truly while that dude watched helplessly.
That baseball said “Dodgertown” on it and I walked over and gave it to Joy’s (aka LUVMYROX) son.
Today I witnessed another unnecessary batting practice injury. A guy was standing up against the rail in row two talking to his buddies. He had no idea it was heading right for him and it clocked him above the temple.
All I can say is it’s a good thing he didn’t see it or he would have tensed up and probably got killed.
Scary stuff people.
PLEASE PAY ATTENION AT BATTING PRACTICE, BASEBALLS CAN BE DEADLY.
Guess who came up from AAA Sky Sox today?
Eric Young Jr. got his first hit today, here’s a picture of it. He made it to first safely and later tried to steal second.
Here is the picture I got of EY Jr’s first steal attempt. As you can tell he didn’t make it.
Here’s my picture show for this game.
Making sure home is clean.
A shot of Queen Geri.
Atkins and Hawpe
Dan did something really cool.
He caught Clint Barmes’s home run ball, nice job brotha!
Here’s the hefty fella who runs across the field in-between innings. This guy is quite popular.
This picture is for Queen Geri.
Manny wasn’t well received at Coors when he stepped to the plate.
He seemed frustrated. Maybe the negativity got to him?
Matt Murton and Seth Smith
Eric Young Jr. Leaping for a ball. This dude is going to be fun to watch mature.
The basball in the picture is actually Dan’s he just doesn’t know it at this point.
Carlos Gonzalez
This dude is quick.
Dan wasn’t the only guy to do something cool. Tulo did too.
He won the game for the Rockies in the 10th inning. It was perfect.
I like this series of pictures, I’m glad I got to see it in person. My favorite in the first picture is EY Jr. It’s his first game and “What a finish!”.
Crazy fun time today all around.
With each new win it feels like I’m watching Rockies history being made. Come to think of it…I am.
Zack Hample..Have a safe trip home brotha.
Go Rockies, all is good in my world it’s time to show the world …D
Can’t Wait To Get My Groove On In Tucson
Props go out to Sue over at Rants, Raves, and Random Thoughts for winning the first ever…
“Which Rockie Am I?”
Here is Sue pictured with announcer Harry Kalas.
Sue asked that I give props to Jen from Phillies Phollowers for taking this picture of Sue at last year’s Baseball 101 for women event.
Here are the facts I gave you from yesterday.
This Rockie is well over six feet tall.
He played basketball in High School.
<—-This dude has something to do with the name of this player’s High School.
He’s a switch hitter.
Sue guessed Dexter Fowler. He attended Milton High School where he played basketball. He’s 6’5″ tall, and is a switch hitter.
Nice job and congratulations. I did make that one kind of easy .
I’m going to continue on with the ”Decide the Ride” suggestions and questions.
Next question is from Julia of Julia’s Rants . She’s the writer of the Number one fan blog here on MLBlogs.com:
“D — how about earliest memory about baseball. That “ah -ha!” moment when you knew you were hooked!.
Julia, I played team baseball when I was really young (7-11) and then only in gym class in Canada through my teens.
I always played first base because it sees a lot of action and I’m a bit of a show off when I’m good at something.
I love the feeling of making that really good play at first or scoring the game winning run.
Everyone loves being a hero, even if it’s only for a brief moment.
Zack Hample and the Rockies got me hooked on batting practice. If I can’t make BP I usually don’t make the game. Spend an hour at BP chasing baseballs hit by your favorite players and see if that doesn’t get you excited about seeing a baseball game.
I’ve said this before, batting practice is Zen for me. When I’m there I’m “In my Zone” and NOTHING else matters for that short period of time. Had I not read Hample’s words and lived vicariously through his blog, I may never have taken a chance and attended a Rockies BP.
Next suggestion is from my Pops in Arizona:
“How about writing about the insane salaries they pay. No wonder these guys get in so much trouble. Too much too fast. You and I are paying for all this when we buy the product of the sponsors”.
Your totally right Pops I can’t argue with that statement. What I can tell you is not every player makes the “Big Bucks”. For every player that signs a multi-million dollar contract, there are twenty other MLB players who make much less than a million.
Teams have farm systems that are full of young ball players trying to make it to the big leagues. Most players spend several years in the farm system honing their skills, hoping for that break, and working part-time jobs to supplement their income and support their families.
Other than that, I got nothing. Thanks for your comment dad
Next suggestion is from long-time reader, commenter and HUGE Rockies fan, Marianne in Colorado (aka here as R-Luv).
“Hey D,
Which do you think is more detrimental to a team, paying certain players enormous salaries or trading players around like playing cards.
On a more fun note, what was your first car and what is your dream car?
Marianne, this one is short and sweet for me. In my opinion paying the enormous salaries is more detrimental to a team because when you lock in a player for more than a couple of years and it’s for big money, it limits your moves financially. In some instances it can cripple a team if say,..the player is injured or had surgery and can’t play? (That in no way was a slam on Todd Helton).
Helton can do no wrong here in the Rockpile Rant.
Trading players often isn’t a great move either. But here’s my take on that. Most players (key word being “most”) wouldn’t be where they are if they weren’t professionals. By professional I mean they should be used to seeing players come and go.
Change is a part of baseball as it is with all sports. Sorry I didn’t go into prolific detail with that explanation, but for me the
answer really doesn’t go much deeper than that.
My first car: A 1986 Nissan Pulsar NX. Red, sunroof, 5 speed. Brand spanking new.
My dream car: 2009 Jeep Rubicon with a 6 inch lift and a heavy duty winch. Then I could hang with my Pop’s jeep.
King of Cali had a good question:
“If you were the GM of the Rockies what would you have done this off season?”
This is a touchy subject for me. On one hand I have a lot of ideas of what “should” have been done as I’m sure a lot of us do. But I don’t want to mention any names at this point because I’ll be standing in front of these guys in mere days asking them for an autograph.
K of C..You feel me on this one?
So lets just say, I was hoping for a big name pitcher and was willing to lose one as partial payment for another. Infielders, outfielders and coaching I’m ok with. A big name hitter would have been nice, but I’m anxious to get rolling with the players we have and see what we’ve got.
Thanks for your comment brotha..Matter of fact, thank all of you. The last time I told you that the Rant has been getting crazy page hits I moved one spot closer to first.
Well, the Rant’s been getting crazy hits again…I’m just saying…D
Despite the Shock it’s Time to Rock
If you’ve been following this blog you know, I’m already in Tucson. I’ve been there for two weeks now (in my mind). Nothing can stop this trip. 
Ryan Speier accepted me as a friend on Facebook today. Ryan was my third Rockies autograph ever and he signed for me on autograph day last spring training.
Morales.
I’ve got lots to say so I keep plugging away
1/14/08
Did you see the special on the MLB Channel called Nine Innings from Ground Zero?
It follows the Yankees and the D-Backs and during the 2001 World Series just after the 911 attacks. Watch that show and try not to not get moist eyeballs.
You won’t make it.
That special was very touching and extremely well put together. The part when the little girl wrote a letter to Derek Jeter just after her dad died (her dad was one of the pilots), and she got to meet him and go to Yankee Stadium. That part choked me up. That was a classy thing to do.
As much as I say I hate the Yankees now, as a young boy in New Jersey (before we moved to Canada), I loved them. Props to the D-Backs, that was a GREAT World Series.
When I see a show like that it makes me proud to be an American and it also reaffirms why I love baseball.
Baseball really is the best sport in the world, and the only one where I feel like I get to participate.
Sure I really dig football and basketball and I miss them in their off-seasons.
But I daydream of baseball. I look at the schedule and plan what games I’ll be attending. I love figuring out which games will be primo “snagging days”.
I try to make sure that I make all of the games where bobble heads or other Rockies promotional gifts are handed out.
I go over my spring training/Tucson trip in my head daily, and it’s the last thing I think about before I fall asleep.
Well that’s not exactly true, lately my last thought has been about hopping in my car and hitting the 7-11 for a pack of cigarettes.
Day 6-Smoke free baby. I must say I’m not feeling like the friendliest fellow right now, but those who know me understand my situation and just ignore me. I’ve got a few more days worth of patches and then that’s it. I know at this point it’s mostly mental, but the brain can be a powerful thing when it wants something.
That same inner voice that keeps me out of trouble is the same one telling me to smoke, it can be confusing to a simple guy like me.
Normally I never ask for help. I’m extremely independent and I’ve always set my own path and did my own thing, learning from my mistakes (usually).
Normally I’m the guy that people come to for advice (it helps when most of yoru friends are younger).
Without going into a lot of details, I’ve seen some sheet in my lifetime and I can give people the benefit of my experiences, without them actually having to take that path.
I guess what I’m trying to say is “Thank You” to my readers who have been supportive of me in this “hellistic adventure” called quitting smoking. I’ll be there for you, and I appreciate you being there for me in my time of need. Baseball folk are straight up good people.
Baseball snaggers beware, I’ll be out there this season with a semi-fresh set of lungs and a new attitude. Naa, same attitude, just better air intake.
Hey Zack Hample when are you coming to Coor’s Field again?
No first row tickets for you this time buddy. You’re in the Pavilion with the Ranter and “it is on” my friend!!
Don’t take that as anymore than a friendly challenge. When I’m snagging in the Pavilion anywhere other then than first row, my only competition usually is my son Hunter.
When I’m fortunate enough to be snagging in the first row, I’m just a rookie there. Guys like Dan, Robert, Dave, and Danny own that row. I watch my P’s and Q’s and try to be respectful.
Hunter’s got the system down, just don’t interfere and snag one of the baseballs he thinks was thrown directly to him.
We’re still working on that particular scenario. He’s super competitive and REALLY hates to lose.
I don’t know where the hell he gets that from.
I plan on letting Hunter have a paragraph or two on this blog during the season to share his own snagging story with you.
It will be good for him and he usually has a good story to tell.
I’ve heard Hunter ask his mom if he’s famous because his daddy’s a Rockies blogger, that’s my guy. I really enjoy the times I get to go to Rockies games with Hunter. Mylee too when she feels like going. Mylee likes the promotional giveaways, and Hunter is just a straight up baseball snagger.
It’s fun going to batting practice now that I know a lot more people. I’m not such a loner anymore. It’s cool to seeing and recognizing the same faces at the games. Getting to hang around people that are as excited about being there as I am.
Here are my goals for this baseball season.
1. Catch my elusive live home run ball, I’m tired of watching Happy’s videos and wishing it was me.
2. Snag 100 baseballs at batting practice. Easier said than done, when you make only half of the home games.
3. Personally obtain an autographed baseball of every player on the Rockies 40 man roster.
4. I would love the Rockpile Ranter to be the Rockies unofficial mascot (Hey, I can dream). Sort of like the barrel man for the Broncos.
I always do the best I can do to plug the Rockies? The sad part is there is probably not a single Rockies player who knows who the hell I am at this point. This leads me to number five.
5. Get the Rockies organization to take note of the Rockpile Ranter and his efforts and realize what a useful promotional tool I can be. The Rockies need more love. I’m just here to help in my own special way.
I think MLB TV Network should give MLBloggers opportunities to be the person who gets to say “play ball” like the hosts do now. It could be like a 5 second clip of us getting to say that and MLB could post the name of our blog on the bottom of the screen.
That would be really cool and cheap. I’d shoot that clip for free. Plus how cool would I look on TV saying ”Play ball”. Remember doing stuff like that is a win/win situation for MLB network. Nobody loses when you plug your own blogging community on your own TV channel.
How about letting us send in our own homemade video clips? 
We could pick a theme and shoot a video to promote our blogs in our own creative ways?
That would be fun to see. So much talent here.
Oh yeah, I’m already thinking of some sweet ideas. How about from the Rockies Rockpile or how about me with a baseball glove and a bull horn on top of Pikes Peak?
That’s a pretty big Rockpile.
MLBlogs.com I’m full of ideas, it would be nice to see you run with one of them. No worries, I’ll keep casting them your way in hopes of a bite or even a nibble or not.
On a curious note: What happened to October Gonzo? He came in, gobbled up the front page and then disappeared? Who the hell was the mysterious Gonzo, and where is he hiding?
Witness protection? Laying low in the Hamptons? Joined the Peace corps? Maybe we’ll never know, maybe we’re not supposed to?
I could go on and on but I’m tired of sitting…Thanks for listening, without you I’m just a cool dude with a funny green hat…D
You can’t go wrong with Cheech and Chong
12/11/08
I was tempted to us the word bong in my rhyming title, but decided against it.
Damn head cold, I could feel it coming. It’s like having your head in a vice.
I don’t get sick very often, I probably got this crap on my trip to Chicago.
Strange new germs out there (and I drank the water).
My wife and I usually do something cool together for our X-mas presents to each other.
This years present is so cool, I’m afraid with my head cold and the news of this, I could spontaneously combust. It’s just too much.
Remember these dudes??
C’mon you know you do.
Before they did all of those funny movies, they were a stand-up comedy team touring the US and Canada.
These two dudes pumped out a bunch of comedy records. Back in the day, everybody who was anybody had at least one.
Below is my personal Cheech and Chong collection. There may be a few more records out there, but not many.
The Cheech and Chong heads have removable skulls. For storage I guess?
Notice the Big Bambu still has the original rolling paper.
Hey we all age, so now they look like this, and have been touring the country with their stand-up comedy act. Tommy Chong’s wife Shelby is the opening act.
I was hoping that they would make a “Hitstop”
in Denver.
No special tickets or anything, I was just happy they added the third show.
It’s Sunday night Dec 21..An early X-mas present.
Their records are imbedded in my brain, as they were extremely popular when I was a teen in Canada.
There you have it, another thing knocked off of my ”List of things to do before I croak”.
Led Zepplin, what’s up fellas? Not a “Whole lotta love”.
If The Who can do it, so can you.
I’ll probably do a special blog after the Cheech and Chong show dedicated to them.
Seeing this show is all I want for X-mas.
I don’t want to outright spoil what I got for my kids (they don’t read this blog in the offseason), but just in case, it rhymes with sockhand.
I think it will be a cool gift to play with the whole family. I’m already a Rockstar, have you seen my music video?? Check it out.
Please don’t slam us. There’s a reason why this short little video clip is the only one us in existance. But hey, I’ve got a music video…Do you?
I’m starting to feel the spirit. Just need to kick this head cold. I cant see Cheech and Chong with a foggy head now can I?…
Oh yea, my special announcement. Robert Harmon, If you read this or Zack’s Hamples blog (listed on my side bar), you know of him.
(This Picture is from Zack Hamples blog).
Long time Coors field snagger, Barry Bonds fake ball, good dude.
Well Robert has decided to join forces with the Ranter, and he along with my buddies Jack (cheeser), and Andy (snagged two balls at a Rockies BP earlier this season) will be the crew for the Mobile Blogging Unit.
What a freggin visual. It’s all about baseball baby.
Robert knows his way around the Tucson area well, it will be fun and an asset “?” , to have him along. Thanks brotha.
Robert normally heads down to Tucson in his VW bus. But the bus is presently out of commission.
She’s having some transaxle issues. If anyone knows where he can get an early 70′s transaxle at a good price. Send me a note.
Robert sure would appreciate it.
A few blog entries back I had put the question out there, “What makes you happy”.
Kylie of Out of the “Field” Box fame, (located on my sidebar), sent in a few words and a picture of what makes her happy.
Here’s what she wrote:
Hey, man! It’s Kylie. Here’s what makes me happy.
My first snow since 2004. It has been snowing for about two hours now and it’s dying down, but I snagged a picture of it on my shirt to remember it. Plus there’s a real live snowball in my freezer made from snow collecting on our table. It all melted when it hit the ground but it was still supercool…Kylie
Thanks for sharing, the best part of what makes her happy is, snow is free. You can see the tiny little flakes on her red shirt, very cool. Enjoy your winter wonderland just kidding. Thanks for the picture Kylie.
Everyone, thanks for your click, you made a choice and I’m glad you ended up here…D
Enough of the crappy, this makes me happy
12/9/08
Things that make me happy.
Of course my wife and kids, I don’t need to say that. They’re my world.
Truth be told, Zack Hample is part of the reason I’m the Ranter. I’ve been to my share of Rockies games since 1993, but I never arrived early enough for batting practice until this past season. Now I’ll never miss it.
I had been reading his blog “The Baseball Collector” for several years, and I had been snagging baseballs vicariously though him.
Reading Zack’s blog is one of those things that makes me happy.
To me, Zack is MLblogosphere, he was one of the original bloggers here, and I’ll read his blog until he stops blogging or snaggin.
I can tell you it won’t be the latter.
Thank you “Professor of Snag”, I bet you’ve inspired a hell of a lot more people than you could ever know.
I have three pugs. Elway was the 7th born in the litter and he’s special.
He was the runt of the litter, and was born completely cross-eyed.
His back legs that didn’t work well either.
As he got to be a few months older, his legs continued to get worse. We figured it was hip displacia, because we rescued his mother from an “evil breeder”.
We took ”Elly Belly” in for an X-Ray, and discovered his spine was curved like a “L” just below his shoulders.
I guess that abnormality was pinching his spine and causing his back legs to get worse.
Faced with a tough decision, we opted for the expensive wheelchair. Elway took to it rather quickly, and by using it daily for a few months, it fixed his spine.
Elway’s eyes even straightened out, and now he is by far the bully of the other two dogs. Elway is the coolest of cool. This dog could cheer up Louis Black.
Seeing Elway, Bronco and Nugget when I get home makes me happy. Unconditional love, it’s a cool thing.
I’m pretty good snowboarder.
The first time I picked up a snowboarded was opening day in Loveland, Colorado 1990, with my buddy Greg.
There was enough snow for one run to be open. We strapped on our boards and rode the lift to the top.
By the time we reached the bottom, we were boarding.
My kids and wife are still learning. There is no bad day on the mountains snowbarding.
Snowboarding alone or with my family makes me happy.
A good breakfast makes me happy. The best meal of the day, two biscuts and gravy, two pancakes, three bacon, hasbrowns, toast and a big cup of coffee.
That not only makes me happy, it makes me ready to take on the world, or at least my job.
A good piece of Cheesecake makes me happy.
Good cheesecake is like sex on a plate.
Fishing with my kids makes me happy.
Just like snowboarding, there are no bad days fishing.
Just living in Colorado makes me happy.
What makes you happy?
Got a picture you want to share?
Send it with some details to: therockpileranter@yahoo.com
There’s lots more things that make me happy, but I got the ball rolling here,
Let’s see what you got.
<——This is not the Mobile Blogging Unit.
Here’s something someone might be interested in.
The Mobile Blogging unit heads out of Denver on Feb 27,2009, and returns on March 8th.
There is a chance that we may have an extra spot in the RV. It has four seperate beds, and as I mentioned, there could possibly be an extra spot. No freebies here, there would be an interview (to guage your coolness), we all split gas, and expenses, but it’s really is a chance of a lifetime.
Good times, good company, good baseball, making memories.
I’ll probably do a formal blog entry about this at some point soon. I just wanted to throw that out there and see if there are any potential bites.
I have a few maybes at this point, but no “for sures”. Women are welcome, as long as you are aware of the living arrangments.
Don’t say I’m not an equal opportunity snagger. It’s all good.
Ranter’s Joke of the day
Question: What is 30 feet long and smells like pee?
Answer: The line dancing class at at retirement home…Ok that’s bad, but I can pull those kind of jokes off cause I’m not there yet. Have you ever heard me do any balding jokes?…D
Here is a shot of what they got
11/5/08
Here is shot of all the baseballs Hunter has snagged and managed to get autographed this past Rockies season.All of his autographs are on batting practice balls that he personally snagged one way or another.
Hunter has 1 autographed helmet, 21 player autographed balls, one ball that says fastball on it and one ball autographed and personalized to him by Zack Hample, The Baseball Collector.
It’s the top baseball in the picture.
Here’s a little bit closer shot
Here we have Mylee, she didn’t go to near as many games as Hunter (her choice), but she did pretty good.
All of Mylee’s autographs were on baseballs that she snagged except two.
The two unautographed baseballs she is holding in the picture are from a batting practice in which she snagged them both.
She didn’t want to get those signed.
Mylee has 7 player autographed balls (one ball signed twice), a Zack Hample ball and one ticket stub. I believe she has a duplicate there of Jorge De La Rosa.
Below is a closeup of her collecton
Here’s Zack Hample autographing the kid’s baseballs.
Here is link to that day:
My kid’s collections mirror mine, so I will will list all the players names when I post my collection on Saturday…D
Tulo’s back but the Rockies get whacked
6/20/08
We arrived about 45 minutes early today for the game one against the NY Mets.
We wound up second and third in line as there was a fan who got there before us.
He was an avid autograph collector and we taked baseball and about getting autographs with him while we waited for the gates to open.
The Rockies were out on the field practicing when we got to the Pavilion bleachers so I took off to the left field bleachers.
As soon as I whipped out my camera, Atkins hit a BP homer that landed in row one right where I was standing so I reached down and snagged it. 
This ball would prove to be my only snag of the game.
I did almost catch another BP homer, but it hit the tip of my glove and I lost it.
No worries, Hunter (who is a snagger in training), was just starting to get his groove. 
Hunters final tally. Six balls a new personal record for him.
(His previous record was three)
Ryan Speier was kind enough to toss a ball up to Hunter.
Thank you Ryan ! 
Jorge De La Rosa also threw Hunter a ball. Thank you Jorge.!! I like this young pitcher.
Pitcher number 33 John Maine.
He walked over to pick up a ball by the rail and Hunter asked politely fpr the ball and he tossed it right to him.
Funny, shortly after that happened one of the older Mets batting coaches (I think…I can’t seem to find his name) was picking up a few balls and Hunter hit him up for one.
He straight up told Hunter that he had the wrong shirt on.
I understood but I’m not sure Hunter did.
Credit where credit is due. That older coach came back later and asked if Hunter was gonna cheer for the Mets. Hunter said “sure”.
The coach tossed him the ball. When the coach was out of hearing distance Hunter looked at me and said ..” Yea Right”.
Thats my boy !
Pitcher Pedro Martinez was close to where Hunter was standing and was kind enough to toss him a ball.
Thank you Pedro!!
Sanchez ran to the rail chasing a hard hit grounder which landed in front of Hunter.
Hunter didn’t even have a chance to ask he just tossed it to him.
Thats what its all about.
It’s not a team thing so much as it’s a baseball thing.
Thank you Sanchez !!
Zack Hample was attending todays game. Todays game being the final game of his Colorado trip. He was wearing his where’s Waldo shirt and he busted out the big glove.
That thing is a hell of a conversation piece.
After I took this picture Zack asked a fan to take a picture of the three of us with his camera.
I don’t have this picture but I can’t wait to see it. 
While Hunter and I were talking to Zack a man and his wife holding their one-month old asked if they could use the glove to take a picture with thieir baby inside it.
Zack said “Sure as long as it doesnt poop in it.”
Just too cute.
Welcome back Troy Tulowitzki, unfortunately the Rockies lost to the Mets 7-2.
On a bright note, Jeff Baker homered and has hit a home run in his last four games. Todd Helton (The King) went 0-3 today with a walk, and Tulo went 0-4.
There were some interesting clouds in the sky last night. I thought we might see some rain but I only felt one drop the whole evening.
I don’t always do the Most Obnoxioius Fan Section, but today I feel obligated to mention this dude.
This guy started in with mother f this and mother f that. After the second “slip” I looked back and his buddy saw me and saw my son and he told his buddy to stop.
He did stop swearing finally, but that was replaced with constant heckling. Willy Tavares made an error early on in the game and from that point on it didn’t stop.
He would heckle the Rockies players then he would heckle the Mets. He also kept saying to his cronies…Hey man…lets leave and go downtown and get drunk…c’mon man..I still don’t know what team he was going for.
What I am sure of is that it was his first time to a baseball game and probably the first time out in public in a while. Rude, no manners and no consideration for others.
Bald Obnoxioius Fan,….You have been Ranted !
I have to mention another fan who was upset about the amount of batting practice baseballs Zack and Hunter were getting at BP. This guy was a Mets fan and so completely out of line I had to move away from him (thus no picture) for fear of me teaching him a lesson that would have gotten me removed from Coors Field and probably arrested.
To add insult to injury this guy was acting this way in front of his son who probably looks up to him.
Hey buddy, it’s the luck of the draw and you were just too slow. Think about it, sometimes we all leave empty handed and we don’t act like little babies.
Grow up and be a man and try to set the right example for your offspring…I’m done with you.
Hunter tried to offer his son a baseball and the father wouldn’t let him take it.
Zack Hample. Thank You ! It was an honor to meet you. Good Luck on your snagging adventures and we’ll catch you next time your in Denver.
Next game….June 22, 2008 Autograph Sunday…Go Rockies…D
Rockies first sweep and we get seven to keep
6/19/08
I have to say after being shutout at batting practice on Wednesday we really couldn’t do any worse.
So the only expectations of today were to snag one of those promotional Rockies floppy hats .
We were first at the Rockpile gate. When they let us in we found out they were only giving out the hats to adults.
Something to do with being sponsored by Isle of Capri Casino or something.
Hey now, that was why we went to this game in particular. It all worked out though, I gave mine to Mylee and an Indians fan gave his hat to Hunter…Thank you Indians fan guy.
You made my little guy happy.
You’ve got to have your glove for batting practice.
Mylee snagged two balls today.
One was tossed to her by Manny Corpas. The other was caught by a fan and he gave it to her.
I thanked him because that was a cool thing to do and really got her excited. These were her first two BP balls. A few entrys ago I slammed Manny Corpas for not autographing Hunter’s ball when it was just Hunter and me standing right by him.
I slammed him because it was the third time he had refused to sign for Hunter and I this year. So, Manny I take it back and I thank you for tossing that BP ball to my girl. I realize it’s hard to please everyone..
The kids staking out their spot.
It was a good spot.
Here is Zack with his big *** glove.
I had read about this glove in his Blog, it was pretty cool to see it in person.
Hunter actually snagged three balls but one of them was tossed to the boy beside him and he dropped it. Hunter picked up and was gonna keep it but I convinced him to share with the other kid.
Hunter already had two balls and I explained to him how happy that little boy would be that he got a BP ball to take home and brag about.
I managed to snag three balls myself. The first ball hit the bleachers and it was just me there so it was mine.
The second I straight up caught with Zack Hample as my witness. Oh yea!
The third ball was deflected off a a glove and came straight to me. Some days it’s just like that. Yesterday a shutout and today seven balls between us.
After BP the kids and I went over to visit with Zack.
The kids wanted Zack to autograph their baseballs.
He took the time to sign and talk to them.
It is amazing how just a few minutes can really make a kids day.
Thank you again Zack !!
Hunter, Mylee and Dan’s daugher Emily got to go onto Coors field today.
They played kickball with Dinger.
It was Hunter’s second time with Dinger and Mylee’s first.
Check out Hunter in the purple shirt in the picture below jumping.
Rockies swept the Indians last night, Final score 6-3. This was our first sweep this year. Things are starting to get interesting for the Rockies. I think were all having visions of last years run.
Lets hope so…I’ll be there tonight…
Recent Comments