How to Catch a Foul Ball at a MLB Game

Catching a ball hit into the stands at a Major League baseball game is pure luck, or so everyone thought until 2011. That year, Tim Anderson, 17, caught three home run balls at Baltimore's Camden Yards in three consecutive games. He had caught nine total in two years. Anderson told "The Baltimore Sun" he just positioned himself where he thought balls would be hit. While Anderson caught homers, they're very rare compared to foul balls. An average game may lose 30 or more foul balls. Catching them is not easy, but knowing a few tricks might help.

Things You'll Need

  • Glove
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy tickets along the first base or third base seats in the lower bowl. Most hitters send foul balls in these directions. Most fouls are actually hit behind the plate, but all major league baseball parks have netting to protect those fans.

    • 2

      Keep your glove handy at all times, but pay extra attention when a batter steps in with a favorable swing. For example, a right-handed batter is more likely to hit foul balls down the left-field line than a left-handed batter.

    • 3

      Most foul balls are in the air long enough for fans to look up and see them coming. That means many other people may compete for the ball. While you need to keep your eye on the ball, you must also be willing to "mix it up" with other fans. At the same time, you must be respectful of other fans, especially children, you are just trying to get out of the way.

    • 4

      Stay alert for rebounds. The foul ball sometimes goes to the person who follows a ball that first bounces off the hands of someone else. If you are sitting in a lower level, follow the foul balls hit above you. Sometimes, the ball will hit part of the stadium and come straight down in your direction.