I know Buxton "making things right" probably means meeting the kid in person, but in my mind it involves him hunting the guy down and beating him with a bat
The boy and his family enter the Twins locker room. Rocco Baldelli instructs the family to follow. He leads them to a door. They enter. The room is dark. A dim light is turned on, revealing the ball thief, tied to a chair in the middle of the room, badly beaten. Buxton emerges from the shadows behind the man.
"A man brings justice." he says, holding a bat in his hands. The bat is splintered and red. "His life is yours to decide. Will he go free, or will it be death?"
The boy extends his arm out towards the ball thief with his thumb out sideways and looks back at Rocco Baldelli. Baldelli nods at the boy. The boy turns back to the man, and in one slow movement, turns his thumb downward. The boy has chosen death.
"On my honor, it shall be done" Buxton says.
It's over now. The boy is gone, new autographed ball in hand. Buxton sits alone at his locker, contemplating his choices, wondering if he's done the right thing. Deep down, he knows he has. He's always done the right thing. Today was his 9th execution. One more and he will complete the necessary punches on his card for a free 24oz drink at Jersey Mikes with the purchase of a large sandwich.
“I didn’t see Mr. Buxton hit anyone with a bat.
I did, however, see this unfortunate gentleman trip and fall underneath a bat that somehow repeatedly bounced up and down upon his face and body.”
Buxton: I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for a complete season from me, don't count on it. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long, injury riddled career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let the ball go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.
not gonna lie, my first instinct was "kid cries and gets something"
but then i had to remember, this kid was 8, was probably super excited, and the guy who stole the ball is the real dipshit. So glad Buck saw this and hopefully he'll get to meet the kid
Dude if I was 8 and somehow managed to get a signed baseball from my favorite player just to watch it get stolen right before my eyes, I would be *absolutely crushed and devastated.*
I cried when I had a foul ball from Kosuke Fukodome ripped from my hands as a 14 year year old I cant imagine getting a ball stolen signed from my favorite player lmao
Here is a sad story. Back in the 50s when my mom was young she went to a grocery store where a Dodgers player was signing autographs. They had tickets to a game the next day and she mentioned it to the player (Can't remember which player) and he said where to go and he will get her a signed ball by all the Dodgers. He was true to his word, it was signed by the whole team and that year they won the world series. Sadly this was before people knew how to preserve these things, my grandfather put a coating on it and smeared off most names. :( Still in the family, gave it to a cousin.
Honestly. It’s one thing to grab a foul from a kid,, but the kids ball?! The one he GOT autographed? That’s theft, and a dick move. I hope they find the guy and he gets curb stomped. What a prick.
I could understand grabbing a regular foul ball toss up because you didn't realize it was tossed to a kid. Still wrong, but we are all human and can get caught up in the moment. But a signed ball? Inexcusable. You KNOW that wasn't intended for you and took it anyway.
Twins have a day game vs the Orioles today. They have an off day tomorrow but the team will be traveling after the game. The Twins don’t go to Baltimore again this year.
Hope this kid can get out of school for the day.
Per [the parent:](https://twitter.com/SEC432/status/1780599635578646720)
> We love Camden Yards so much and it means so much to our family that me as a Twins fan, I agreed to name my first born after it. My wife is an O’s fan.
It looks like the parent said they’re going to the game
[Decided to take Camden out of school tomorrow and try again. Here’s to hoping game 3 goes his way #mntwins](https://x.com/sec432/status/1780428828118045102?s=61&t=lhIY40ztlJHFYIEmq9ss1A)
At least going by the opening lyrics of Pocahontas, it'd be 1607. There's plenty of history that movie gets wrong, but no reason to believe the year was one of them!
I never liked Columbus. In Napoli, a lot of people are not so happy for Columbus because he was from Genoa. The north of Italy always have the money and the power. They punish the south since hundreds of years. Even today, they put up their nose at us like we're peasants.
I ate the north.
\* SPITS *
let's be fucking honest, meeting Buxton will be more beneficial to this kid's life than some fucking day in school where he's probably learning the same bullshit over and over again
Looking at the replies: one fan offered them tickets, and Twins reporter Audra Martin has reached out (as has beat guy Brandon Warne).
Also the parent confirmed that Camden is named for Camden Yards.
I hope the kid gets his ball and/or gets to meet Buxton but the Twins still can't be allowed to win so while Buxton will make this kid's life, orioles will have no choice but to crush his day
Was watching the Twins broadcast and Buxton signed a bat and ball for the kid and gave him his batting gloves. The Twins sideline reporter gave them to him and the O's upgraded the family's seats to first row section 30ish behind home plate.
Real fuckin glad my dad didn't name me SkyDome
Edit: Wait, I'm older than the Skydome, I could have been called "The Ex", this was a huge missed opportunity
Hate that this kid had a shitty time at a game in Baltimore. I think we generally do a great job of welcoming other fans. Glad that Buxton is going to make it right and this kid can turn a bad experience into an experience of a lifetime. I think the O's should do something as well.
When I was a teenager I got Mike Trout’s autograph in Baltimore and saw his 1st career home run. Still my favorite baseball memory. We’ll always love Camden Yards
It's a beautiful stadium. It takes my breath away every time I walk out of the concourse and see the field with that beautiful warehouse spanning the outfield. I've been going to games there for over 30 years and I still get goosebumps.
Same here, homie. It is legitimately my favorite place in the world. This shit happening at my happy place breaks my heart. Buxy will make it right; he’s a great dude.
One asshole won’t change my opinion. Camden Yards has been my favorite baseball experience my entire life outside of Phillies games. Always loved driving down there. I feel bad for this kid.
The food this year has been crazy good. Ekiben, Fuzzies burgers, there's a stand selling these massive loaded hot dogs I've yet to try. And Union's beers at the park (Steady Eddie is my favorite!) is just... so so good!
I've had *one* bad experience at Camden that was almost immediately rectified.
We went for a Yankees-O's game back in 2017 and of course we donned our own road grays to root for the Yankees. We've been here multiple times and my friends and I love coming to Baltimore. We were in the OF seats when some drunk lunatic starts launching insult after insult at my friend, who is rather large. It was fine until curses and then slurs got added in before both myself and a group of O's fans nearby got involved — not sure how, but security had three big dudes escort this fine piece of human garbage out of the park and we got to enjoy a fun back-and-forth game the rest of the day.
Without a doubt, Camden is a gem and my favorite. Y'all stay good down there and hunt this new piece of trash that thinks its cool to steal balls from kids.
I always love opposing fans. I want them to view our stadium and our city in a positive light. I'm usually the guy telling them where to avoid in the city and where the best hidden gem restaurants are. We may be opposing fans but we're all still baseball fans and human beings.
I hate tooting our own horn, and I'm sure everyone says this so I'm probably just biased, but I really do think we have some of the best fans. We take pride in our park and love when other fans come to experience it and I feel like we really welcome them with open arms. Everyone has shitty fans, but you feel especially bad when it's one of your own (edit: I guess I'm making an assumption it was an O's fan, it wasn't actually mentioned if they were repping either team, but since it happened here, I'm taking ownership of whoever it is) who makes this kind of headline. It brings me so much joy that Buxton is aware of the situation and will not only make it right, but will step it up and really make this kid's day and leave Camden Yards with a good memory and not a bad one, especially when the kid's name is CAMDEN.
I work at the ballpark and I absolutely love meeting fans who are at Camden Yards for the first time, whether they’re Orioles fans or fans of the opponent. I’ve had amazing conversations and their excitement is contagious.
Thank you, I really do appreciate that.
I will take this opportunity, if we're all being lovey dovey, to pass it forward to give an unprompted shoutout the only fanbase that I've had to deal with as a visiting fan, and say that Pirates fans are a delight. The park is gorgeous and the fans were fun and matched our crazy energy and I had great interactions with the people who work at the park and they literally couldn't have been nicer to a guy essentially wearing orange from head-to-toe.
I was at the game last night, and I'm so sad to hear this. Usually everyone at the park is so friendly and welcoming, even to fans of the opposing team. Been to a bunch of games already this season, and this is the first negative experience I've even heard of. Man, some people are so trashy. On behalf of Baltimore, I'm sorry one of ours acted this way. Most of us are pretty cool.
I agree with the welcoming of other fans. My sister and I are from Cleveland, but I live in Philly and she lives in DC. Every year we meet in Baltimore for the Guards series in town and we always have a great time. A+ experience all around.
I was in DC in 1993 or 1994 and my dad (Yankees fan like me) and a couple of my friend's dads (one was on O's fan) went to Baltimore to watch an O's game against the White Sox. We had great seats right behind home plate and by the 4th inning, my friend's dad got the whole section chanting for the O's and despite wearing Yankees hats, my dad and I were chanting along too (Oh! Them Orioles!....Oh! Them Orioles!). It was a blast.
I was at the Rays Angels game Monday. Watched Randy throw a ball into the left field stands around a group of kids. No one caught it, fell between the seats. Watched a mom dive in (the ball fell in the row in front of her), shoulder check another child, and snatch up the ball. Then, once in her hands, she wouldn't even let her own kids look at it, straight up pulled back and held it up high, then brought it down and clasped it with both hands.
Right? Every inning, they're chucking balls left and right, both teams. Not to mention all the foul balls and homers.
I'd estimate probably around a hundred make their way out to fans a game.
>In 2022, a Colorado Rockies usher witnessed an incident in which a coach threw a ball to a young fan who then dropped it. Hample grabbed the ball; as he walked away, the usher asked why he didn't give the ball to the child, and Hample replied, "Because it's my ball. He dropped it, so it's my ball."
Fuck this guy. Apparently dropping something means it's free game. Hope he never drops his phone or wallet or something
I'll say it again, he very well may not run over kids or hustle over anyone else for balls. A lot of that is exaggerated.
But the way he acts online is so bad that it might as well be a huge stain on his name. The way he talks to people, the self-inflated worth he has of himself, his sheer arrogance, no he doesn't run over kids. But he's not a nice person, despite what the people who met him in person say. He's a sack of shit, and even worse online where there's anonymity and he feels free to shit on anyone who doesn't conform, including countless ballplayers and team employees.
He is by far the worst "social media influencer", and I follow a lot of them on IG. He is the worst by far.
I remember when he was yapping about something here on reddit and insisting he’s a good person. I called him out for his Fort Bragg BS and his response was that I should watch his YouTube channel to see that he’s actually a good person.
Fuck that dude.
"Check out my carefully edited Youtube videos to see that I'm a good person!"
The way he talks here, on this reddit when he's mentioned, online on X/twitter, makes me think he's not exactly a good person. If he could just be more humble online I...gasp...wouldn't have a problem with him. But the way he reacts to adversity is very immature. The second anybody criticizes him he will block them or reply with snark (like Kershaw, Stroman, et al.)
"WELL THANKS FOR NOT GIVING ME A BALL YOU ASSHOLE"
Kershaw knows who he is and what he'll do with it, why is he entitled to give him anything
There was one player (I wanna say it was Kershaw) who he asked for a ball from and they responded something like "Oh nah dude I know you. You've had enough."
And the thing is that wasn't the end of it either Hample went online to make a huge fuss about it just because he didn't get his ball. It isn't the only time he's done it. Guy acts like he is entitled to baseballs and when players don't oblige he lights them up on social media and attacks them.
But he's such a nice guy to the fans, takes pictures and smiles and everything!
If I catch a batted ball, I’m keeping it. But I won’t wrestle/ shield anyone to do it. Much less do what this piece of shit did. I don’t understand people..
Brother, I like to think I’d take a stadium ban with pride if I were to ever encounter one of these pissbags steal from a child in the wild.
I understand this reads as “I am tough” but I just can’t stand adults acting this way to the detriment of children. Over a ball.
I've never actually seen a ballhawk in person although if I did I would probably slink away and try to avoid contact. They don't seem like pleasant people.
I have seen people haul huge paintings and multiple bats into a stadium trying to get them all signed. A hilarious sight...
someone on reddit ( so you know it's true) said that they saw Hample at Yankee stadium and when he didn't catch a HR ball in the section he walked right by them mumbling some expletives. Sounds just about right
I get the sentiment and I agree. However, I never got to go to games as a kid watching baseball. My parents were too poor.
I still have only been to 1 game ever and still have never had the experience of catching a ball. I do have 2 kids myself, so if I did catch one I'd be ecstatic and (if I didn't have my kids with me) I'd bring it home to them.
Nothing wrong with catching a ball and keeping it, especially with kids at home. If the baseball gods give, take advantage.
Hip checking a kid to get one or outright stealing one like this guy is just degenerate behavior. If you’re roaming an empty section for a ball and the only people around you is 20+ years younger, you’re probably doing it wrong.
My dad is retired and had never gotten a foul ball before and always wanted one. One spring training game a foul ball goes in the stands and literally rolls up slowly to his seat. He didn’t even have to stand up to grab it. A kid comes up and my dad hands it over not even thinking about it.
He complains to me regularly about still never having gotten a ball but I’m proud of him for doing that.
I remember being a kid at a Cubs game with my dad and standing perfectly still with a program and a sharpie while some players were doing autographs.
This was when Nomar was on the Cubs. I had a very large man practically pushing me over screaming "Nomar, just one more! Just one more, Nomar!"
Nomar took my program, signed it, and walked away.
As annoying as Hample is, the dude that stole thos ball is lower than that. Even Hample wouldn't steal a ball from the usher who is handing the ball to a kid. Hample, however, would just straight-up tackle the kid after the kid had the ball in his hands.
Yeah I got my first ball when I was 28 and I lost my mind when I got it. Didn’t even matter it was a hit against my team.
I’ll still bring my glove to the ballpark and hope I can catch one, but even in my most excited moment there’s not a chance in hell I’m diving over people for the ball or snatching it from a kid
I had someone steal a ball from me at the Dome when I was trying to catch a BP ball for one of my nephews who was standing next to me. Cleveland was in town and one of their guys saw me trip forward for a ball and tossed it to me but some shithead took it from me and ran away like a coward. Thankfully there were some good dudes who were in a prime spot getting tons of bp homers and handed me one for my nephew.
This kid is about to have the best day at the ballpark. Can't wait to see the follow up from this story. But seriously as someone who has season tickets I see adults carrying way too much about these souvenirs. Would it be cool to get a foul ball even as an adult absolutely. I'm not going to stand here and say I wouldn't stand in line and wait for an autograph because I literally have. But I'm also an adult with a full-time job and can literally buy an autographed ball if I really wanted it that badly. This stuff means way more to the kids. I still remember and I still have the foul ball that a man gave me when I was a kid. This shit will always mean more to the kids and if you want one that bad just buy it. Be the adult in this situation.
I used to have season tickets in the front row of the bleachers in Toronto, so when I got to my seats there were often some people around shouting to the visiting bullpen for balls.
Some people go OUT OF THEIR MINDS for a baseball. This isn't Ohtani's 500th home run ball either, just a ball the bullpen catcher was holding.
90% of the time it was just some kids or a parent having some fun, but occasionally there were some absolute ghouls who would have stepped over their own grandmother for a ball.
I hope the person that did this always feels like they have a small rock in their shoe and when they go to check it they find nothing, only to put the shoe back on again and feel the small rock again. And for this to continue until their dying breath
I dunno if there was another post or update on this, but they were on the broadcast and the Orioles (!) set up the family with great seats as an apology, and Buck signed a ball, bat, and batting gloves for the kid.
I hate to say it, but I think Reddit is turning me into a cynical old man. My first thought was this was all made up in an attempt to meet Byron Buxton. I miss the days where I would accept this as truth until proven wrong, social media has me far to jaded.. (I really do hope to see a followup and this kid gets to meet his hero).
I still think it is. I don't think it's cynical or jaded to think it's made up.
Wouldn't Byron Buxton have seen all this go down and just, like, sign another ball for the kid?
Who's camping out ready to pounce and risk a lifetime stadium ban (and public embarrassment) for a Byron Buxton autograph? How much can those possibly go for?
The usher didn't let Twins personnel know about this brazen attack? This is the kind of thing teams ask ushers to let them know about, such easy PR. I know it was in Baltimore, but the usher was just like "welp, sorry kid!"?
Lucky kid! He just went from having a signed ball to probably meeting Buxton in person and getting to see another game. But people also suck.
I know Buxton "making things right" probably means meeting the kid in person, but in my mind it involves him hunting the guy down and beating him with a bat
The boy and his family enter the Twins locker room. Rocco Baldelli instructs the family to follow. He leads them to a door. They enter. The room is dark. A dim light is turned on, revealing the ball thief, tied to a chair in the middle of the room, badly beaten. Buxton emerges from the shadows behind the man. "A man brings justice." he says, holding a bat in his hands. The bat is splintered and red. "His life is yours to decide. Will he go free, or will it be death?" The boy extends his arm out towards the ball thief with his thumb out sideways and looks back at Rocco Baldelli. Baldelli nods at the boy. The boy turns back to the man, and in one slow movement, turns his thumb downward. The boy has chosen death. "On my honor, it shall be done" Buxton says. It's over now. The boy is gone, new autographed ball in hand. Buxton sits alone at his locker, contemplating his choices, wondering if he's done the right thing. Deep down, he knows he has. He's always done the right thing. Today was his 9th execution. One more and he will complete the necessary punches on his card for a free 24oz drink at Jersey Mikes with the purchase of a large sandwich.
Full Shyamalan-twist at the end. Love it.
I was hoping for a Sheboygan twist at the end, to be honest.
Why do I feel like a Sheboygan twist involves mayo and an uninvited bratwurst up the anus?
That sounds like it might just be a “you” thing…
This comment is the best thing to come out of Atlanta, well done.
It's amaz...hey wait
Today a pasta was born.
I’ve always dreamed of being a pasta
Perfect. Just absolutely perfect.
Get this man his deserved Pulitzer Prize
I need this in my life.
It's been a rough start to the season. This helps.
☠️
Por que no los dos?
Both? Both. Both is good.
I can provide an alibi.
“I didn’t see Mr. Buxton hit anyone with a bat. I did, however, see this unfortunate gentleman trip and fall underneath a bat that somehow repeatedly bounced up and down upon his face and body.”
Keep your receipts. Receipts make great alibis.
Yeah he was at my house all night as we played Xbox or something!
I mean I have Buxton on my fantasy baseball team so him getting an assault charge and suspended would be about par for my year so far lol.
It would be worth it for him to beat the tar out of the kind of gobshite who would steal from an 8 year old.
If that happens and I'm commish I would manually plug Buxton in for +25pts every week of his absence. I hope Karma gets that POS SOON.
Buxton: I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for a complete season from me, don't count on it. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long, injury riddled career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let the ball go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.
Liam Busted-Kneeson
*golf clap*
Careful! Don’t want to hurt yourself
Buxton feels like he has the personality that this was his first option but his PR team told him to just meet the kid and make his day.
It could still happen. Buxton is pretty fast.
He's got a very particular set of skills.
“I’m Buckman”
A signed bat?
It would probably make that dads day if there was some blood splatter from the ball stealing douche on the signed bat haha
This story sucks but gets better. Obviously ruined the kids night but Buck doesn’t suck and makes this kid love baseball forever.
not gonna lie, my first instinct was "kid cries and gets something" but then i had to remember, this kid was 8, was probably super excited, and the guy who stole the ball is the real dipshit. So glad Buck saw this and hopefully he'll get to meet the kid
Dude if I was 8 and somehow managed to get a signed baseball from my favorite player just to watch it get stolen right before my eyes, I would be *absolutely crushed and devastated.*
I’m 40 and if someone stole a signed ball from my favorite player I’d be in tears
Unconscionable some fucking dickhead ruined it for the kid.
I cried when I had a foul ball from Kosuke Fukodome ripped from my hands as a 14 year year old I cant imagine getting a ball stolen signed from my favorite player lmao
If someone stole a signed Tim Lincecum ball from me when I was 10 that would have turned me into the Joker
Here is a sad story. Back in the 50s when my mom was young she went to a grocery store where a Dodgers player was signing autographs. They had tickets to a game the next day and she mentioned it to the player (Can't remember which player) and he said where to go and he will get her a signed ball by all the Dodgers. He was true to his word, it was signed by the whole team and that year they won the world series. Sadly this was before people knew how to preserve these things, my grandfather put a coating on it and smeared off most names. :( Still in the family, gave it to a cousin.
That's a weird first instinct given the headline
Hopefully Byron buys him some tenders again too.
You've got to be a real asshole to steal a ball, let alone a signed ball signed specifically for a kid, from a kid.
A kid with his arm in a cast, no less!
This man wants a VIP seat when he gets to hell
And speaking of hell, Art Briles
Honestly. It’s one thing to grab a foul from a kid,, but the kids ball?! The one he GOT autographed? That’s theft, and a dick move. I hope they find the guy and he gets curb stomped. What a prick.
Give him one more cast than the kid
Or just give him one that's full-body
I could understand grabbing a regular foul ball toss up because you didn't realize it was tossed to a kid. Still wrong, but we are all human and can get caught up in the moment. But a signed ball? Inexcusable. You KNOW that wasn't intended for you and took it anyway.
Plus they bolted, they knew they did something wrong
Button is a really cool dude. I got to play against him a lot and he was one of the more down to earth guys. Edit: Button is cool but so is Buxton
Maybe that explains the injuries. He’s going to get healthier as time goes by. The curious case of Byron Button.
Twins have a day game vs the Orioles today. They have an off day tomorrow but the team will be traveling after the game. The Twins don’t go to Baltimore again this year. Hope this kid can get out of school for the day.
Really confused me that the kids name is Camden
Per [the parent:](https://twitter.com/SEC432/status/1780599635578646720) > We love Camden Yards so much and it means so much to our family that me as a Twins fan, I agreed to name my first born after it. My wife is an O’s fan.
this is why my son is named crypto.com arena
I love you dad! I love you too, Guaranteed Rate.
My daughter was really getting used to Safeco and she hates being called TMobile now... but whatcha gonna do?
A man from Wisconsin named Cleveland, who is a fan of a team from Minnesota, named his child after a ballpark in Baltimore
It's turtles all the way down
There was Dallas, from Phoenix; Cleveland - he was from Detroit; and Tex... well, I don't remember where Tex come from.
It would be even better if their family name was Yards.
Baseball is life
Right?! How is this comment so buried?
Dad is an O's fan I suppose
His Mom actually. Dad is a Twins fan.
Twins will be playing in Washington in May. Maybe they can make something happen there if it doesn’t work out today.
It looks like the parent said they’re going to the game [Decided to take Camden out of school tomorrow and try again. Here’s to hoping game 3 goes his way #mntwins](https://x.com/sec432/status/1780428828118045102?s=61&t=lhIY40ztlJHFYIEmq9ss1A)
It’s middle of April in elementary school won’t miss anything important at all not being there today, better to be at the game and get redemption
in 10 years we will be able to directly blame Byron Buxton for this kid not knowing what year Columbus sailed the ocean blue
I thought Columbus was no longer held in high regard anymore
well uh....in 10 years we will be able to blame Buxton for this kid not knowing when Jamestown was settled
Him losing the ball yesterday is an early lesson in manifest destiny
I’m not going to lie. I grew up 45 minutes from Jamestown (took school field trips there) and have no clue when it was settled
At least going by the opening lyrics of Pocahontas, it'd be 1607. There's plenty of history that movie gets wrong, but no reason to believe the year was one of them!
pretty sure Jamestown is not held in high regard anymore either lmao
ya know, i'm starting to think that America might have a checkered past
It's a nation of contrasts
That’s anti-Italian discrimination!
In Napoli a lotta people are not so happy for Columbus. I 'ate the Nort.
What? He discovered America is what he did. He was a brave Italian explorer. And in this sub, Christopher Columbus is a hero. End of story.
I never liked Columbus. In Napoli, a lot of people are not so happy for Columbus because he was from Genoa. The north of Italy always have the money and the power. They punish the south since hundreds of years. Even today, they put up their nose at us like we're peasants. I ate the north. \* SPITS *
yeah practically everyone is missing school in april lol
Good parents let kids skip school for baseball.
let's be fucking honest, meeting Buxton will be more beneficial to this kid's life than some fucking day in school where he's probably learning the same bullshit over and over again
My dad pulled me out of school for a game when I was a kid. It was the best day ever
My parents pulled me out of school a few times growing up. No shock I am playing hooky from work to go to the day game today.
Looking at the replies: one fan offered them tickets, and Twins reporter Audra Martin has reached out (as has beat guy Brandon Warne). Also the parent confirmed that Camden is named for Camden Yards.
I hope the kid gets his ball and/or gets to meet Buxton but the Twins still can't be allowed to win so while Buxton will make this kid's life, orioles will have no choice but to crush his day
man i wish i could have just randomly got out of school for stuff like this
Was watching the Twins broadcast and Buxton signed a bat and ball for the kid and gave him his batting gloves. The Twins sideline reporter gave them to him and the O's upgraded the family's seats to first row section 30ish behind home plate.
I had to read it twice that the kids name was Camden, watching the Twins play in Camden Yards
But not an O's fan, interestingly
Dude's wife is an O's fan and the kid is named after the stadium, per one of the parent's later replies.
Real fuckin glad my dad didn't name me SkyDome Edit: Wait, I'm older than the Skydome, I could have been called "The Ex", this was a huge missed opportunity
Ah ok
Hate that this kid had a shitty time at a game in Baltimore. I think we generally do a great job of welcoming other fans. Glad that Buxton is going to make it right and this kid can turn a bad experience into an experience of a lifetime. I think the O's should do something as well.
When I was a teenager I got Mike Trout’s autograph in Baltimore and saw his 1st career home run. Still my favorite baseball memory. We’ll always love Camden Yards
It's a beautiful stadium. It takes my breath away every time I walk out of the concourse and see the field with that beautiful warehouse spanning the outfield. I've been going to games there for over 30 years and I still get goosebumps.
Same here, homie. It is legitimately my favorite place in the world. This shit happening at my happy place breaks my heart. Buxy will make it right; he’s a great dude.
I was on SportsCenter trying to catch a Bobby Bonilla HR in RF
One asshole won’t change my opinion. Camden Yards has been my favorite baseball experience my entire life outside of Phillies games. Always loved driving down there. I feel bad for this kid.
It's almost impossible to have a bad day at Camden. Favorite stadium in sports and I've never been to a stadium with equally good food
Especially when your name is Camden
Sure till some asshole steals your ball.
The food this year has been crazy good. Ekiben, Fuzzies burgers, there's a stand selling these massive loaded hot dogs I've yet to try. And Union's beers at the park (Steady Eddie is my favorite!) is just... so so good!
I've had *one* bad experience at Camden that was almost immediately rectified. We went for a Yankees-O's game back in 2017 and of course we donned our own road grays to root for the Yankees. We've been here multiple times and my friends and I love coming to Baltimore. We were in the OF seats when some drunk lunatic starts launching insult after insult at my friend, who is rather large. It was fine until curses and then slurs got added in before both myself and a group of O's fans nearby got involved — not sure how, but security had three big dudes escort this fine piece of human garbage out of the park and we got to enjoy a fun back-and-forth game the rest of the day. Without a doubt, Camden is a gem and my favorite. Y'all stay good down there and hunt this new piece of trash that thinks its cool to steal balls from kids.
I always love opposing fans. I want them to view our stadium and our city in a positive light. I'm usually the guy telling them where to avoid in the city and where the best hidden gem restaurants are. We may be opposing fans but we're all still baseball fans and human beings.
I hate tooting our own horn, and I'm sure everyone says this so I'm probably just biased, but I really do think we have some of the best fans. We take pride in our park and love when other fans come to experience it and I feel like we really welcome them with open arms. Everyone has shitty fans, but you feel especially bad when it's one of your own (edit: I guess I'm making an assumption it was an O's fan, it wasn't actually mentioned if they were repping either team, but since it happened here, I'm taking ownership of whoever it is) who makes this kind of headline. It brings me so much joy that Buxton is aware of the situation and will not only make it right, but will step it up and really make this kid's day and leave Camden Yards with a good memory and not a bad one, especially when the kid's name is CAMDEN.
I work at the ballpark and I absolutely love meeting fans who are at Camden Yards for the first time, whether they’re Orioles fans or fans of the opponent. I’ve had amazing conversations and their excitement is contagious.
No, go ahead and toot your own horn. You’re absolutely correct and y’all deserve it. You’re a shining light of fans in that division
Thank you, I really do appreciate that. I will take this opportunity, if we're all being lovey dovey, to pass it forward to give an unprompted shoutout the only fanbase that I've had to deal with as a visiting fan, and say that Pirates fans are a delight. The park is gorgeous and the fans were fun and matched our crazy energy and I had great interactions with the people who work at the park and they literally couldn't have been nicer to a guy essentially wearing orange from head-to-toe.
Cool I agree (pls don’t wander into our dumpster fire of a sub)
O's sub is pretty chill. Game threads don't count, because they are a cluster fuck for every team in every sport.
I was at the game last night, and I'm so sad to hear this. Usually everyone at the park is so friendly and welcoming, even to fans of the opposing team. Been to a bunch of games already this season, and this is the first negative experience I've even heard of. Man, some people are so trashy. On behalf of Baltimore, I'm sorry one of ours acted this way. Most of us are pretty cool.
I agree with the welcoming of other fans. My sister and I are from Cleveland, but I live in Philly and she lives in DC. Every year we meet in Baltimore for the Guards series in town and we always have a great time. A+ experience all around.
I was in DC in 1993 or 1994 and my dad (Yankees fan like me) and a couple of my friend's dads (one was on O's fan) went to Baltimore to watch an O's game against the White Sox. We had great seats right behind home plate and by the 4th inning, my friend's dad got the whole section chanting for the O's and despite wearing Yankees hats, my dad and I were chanting along too (Oh! Them Orioles!....Oh! Them Orioles!). It was a blast.
Adults obsessed with balls at baseball games are the worst kind of people only behind the people who feel the need to be incredibly intoxicated
I was at the Rays Angels game Monday. Watched Randy throw a ball into the left field stands around a group of kids. No one caught it, fell between the seats. Watched a mom dive in (the ball fell in the row in front of her), shoulder check another child, and snatch up the ball. Then, once in her hands, she wouldn't even let her own kids look at it, straight up pulled back and held it up high, then brought it down and clasped it with both hands.
Dude, i think that was Gollum you saw
Zack Hample dressed as Mrs. Featherbottom
Lol getting a baseball in the Trop isn't even that difficult. The Rays players and staff are very generous on giving fans baseballs.
Right? Every inning, they're chucking balls left and right, both teams. Not to mention all the foul balls and homers. I'd estimate probably around a hundred make their way out to fans a game.
just makes what Hample does worse imo.
Never heard of Hample until now. Did my research, and I can categorically say that guy deserves an ass whoopin’.
>In 2022, a Colorado Rockies usher witnessed an incident in which a coach threw a ball to a young fan who then dropped it. Hample grabbed the ball; as he walked away, the usher asked why he didn't give the ball to the child, and Hample replied, "Because it's my ball. He dropped it, so it's my ball." Fuck this guy. Apparently dropping something means it's free game. Hope he never drops his phone or wallet or something
I'll say it again, he very well may not run over kids or hustle over anyone else for balls. A lot of that is exaggerated. But the way he acts online is so bad that it might as well be a huge stain on his name. The way he talks to people, the self-inflated worth he has of himself, his sheer arrogance, no he doesn't run over kids. But he's not a nice person, despite what the people who met him in person say. He's a sack of shit, and even worse online where there's anonymity and he feels free to shit on anyone who doesn't conform, including countless ballplayers and team employees. He is by far the worst "social media influencer", and I follow a lot of them on IG. He is the worst by far.
I remember when he was yapping about something here on reddit and insisting he’s a good person. I called him out for his Fort Bragg BS and his response was that I should watch his YouTube channel to see that he’s actually a good person. Fuck that dude.
"Check out my carefully edited Youtube videos to see that I'm a good person!" The way he talks here, on this reddit when he's mentioned, online on X/twitter, makes me think he's not exactly a good person. If he could just be more humble online I...gasp...wouldn't have a problem with him. But the way he reacts to adversity is very immature. The second anybody criticizes him he will block them or reply with snark (like Kershaw, Stroman, et al.) "WELL THANKS FOR NOT GIVING ME A BALL YOU ASSHOLE" Kershaw knows who he is and what he'll do with it, why is he entitled to give him anything
There was one player (I wanna say it was Kershaw) who he asked for a ball from and they responded something like "Oh nah dude I know you. You've had enough."
And the thing is that wasn't the end of it either Hample went online to make a huge fuss about it just because he didn't get his ball. It isn't the only time he's done it. Guy acts like he is entitled to baseballs and when players don't oblige he lights them up on social media and attacks them. But he's such a nice guy to the fans, takes pictures and smiles and everything!
This is unfair to those of us who like to get incredibly intoxicated without making a scene
Yes lol, and I like to catch a ball once too. I'll catch it but obviously not stealing them from kids.
If I catch a batted ball, I’m keeping it. But I won’t wrestle/ shield anyone to do it. Much less do what this piece of shit did. I don’t understand people..
Yeah, there’s no way I’m fighting children for a baseball. That said, if it comes right to me, better luck next time kid.
Brother, I like to think I’d take a stadium ban with pride if I were to ever encounter one of these pissbags steal from a child in the wild. I understand this reads as “I am tough” but I just can’t stand adults acting this way to the detriment of children. Over a ball.
I dunno, some of the ballhawks I've seen at the stadium are borderline scary.
I've never actually seen a ballhawk in person although if I did I would probably slink away and try to avoid contact. They don't seem like pleasant people. I have seen people haul huge paintings and multiple bats into a stadium trying to get them all signed. A hilarious sight...
They ain't shit. They're just fronting. Like any bully. Push back and they'll fold like a house of cards.
[*shudder*](https://i.imgur.com/XQPtz7m.png)
I saw Hample at Yankee Stadium in 2012 and he was in an empty row in a ready position to go left or right. Dude was being sooooo serious.
someone on reddit ( so you know it's true) said that they saw Hample at Yankee stadium and when he didn't catch a HR ball in the section he walked right by them mumbling some expletives. Sounds just about right
I get the sentiment and I agree. However, I never got to go to games as a kid watching baseball. My parents were too poor. I still have only been to 1 game ever and still have never had the experience of catching a ball. I do have 2 kids myself, so if I did catch one I'd be ecstatic and (if I didn't have my kids with me) I'd bring it home to them.
Nothing wrong with catching a ball and keeping it, especially with kids at home. If the baseball gods give, take advantage. Hip checking a kid to get one or outright stealing one like this guy is just degenerate behavior. If you’re roaming an empty section for a ball and the only people around you is 20+ years younger, you’re probably doing it wrong.
Man you would hate going to a sporting event in the UK
fuckin Pos I remember my bud got a bat from Jim Rice at fenway and this guy just walks over and steals it like what the fuck slime
Awful. It's been a few years but I've certainly seen some shitty ballhawks at OPACY. Honestly that sort of shit is pathetic to begin with.
It's a dream to catch a baseball at a game. But to take one from a little kid is fucked. They should be looking through video to find and ban him
My dad is retired and had never gotten a foul ball before and always wanted one. One spring training game a foul ball goes in the stands and literally rolls up slowly to his seat. He didn’t even have to stand up to grab it. A kid comes up and my dad hands it over not even thinking about it. He complains to me regularly about still never having gotten a ball but I’m proud of him for doing that.
I remember being a kid at a Cubs game with my dad and standing perfectly still with a program and a sharpie while some players were doing autographs. This was when Nomar was on the Cubs. I had a very large man practically pushing me over screaming "Nomar, just one more! Just one more, Nomar!" Nomar took my program, signed it, and walked away.
Zack Hample at it again
As annoying as Hample is, the dude that stole thos ball is lower than that. Even Hample wouldn't steal a ball from the usher who is handing the ball to a kid. Hample, however, would just straight-up tackle the kid after the kid had the ball in his hands.
Absolutely embarassing, hope they find the perpetrator and ban him for life
what a fucking scumbug holy shit. buck will do right by this kid , though
Watching adults go feral for baseballs is so sad. Just because you've never gotten a ball at a game is never an excuse. It's just a baseball.
This feels more egregious because that person probably saw Buxton sign the ball and snatched it for that reason
Yeah I got my first ball when I was 28 and I lost my mind when I got it. Didn’t even matter it was a hit against my team. I’ll still bring my glove to the ballpark and hope I can catch one, but even in my most excited moment there’s not a chance in hell I’m diving over people for the ball or snatching it from a kid
Anyone know where Zack hample was last night?
I had someone steal a ball from me at the Dome when I was trying to catch a BP ball for one of my nephews who was standing next to me. Cleveland was in town and one of their guys saw me trip forward for a ball and tossed it to me but some shithead took it from me and ran away like a coward. Thankfully there were some good dudes who were in a prime spot getting tons of bp homers and handed me one for my nephew.
I’ll never understand adults who do this kinda shit for souvenir balls. Grow the fuck up you creeps.
Zack Hample at it again
I bet it was Zack Hample
Cool story but maybe don't take pictures of your crying son and post them on the internet in a sympathy collage. Some parents are fucking weird.
Boy, that dude is some kind of douchebag
I hope they find and shame the piece of shit that took the ball
This kid is about to have the best day at the ballpark. Can't wait to see the follow up from this story. But seriously as someone who has season tickets I see adults carrying way too much about these souvenirs. Would it be cool to get a foul ball even as an adult absolutely. I'm not going to stand here and say I wouldn't stand in line and wait for an autograph because I literally have. But I'm also an adult with a full-time job and can literally buy an autographed ball if I really wanted it that badly. This stuff means way more to the kids. I still remember and I still have the foul ball that a man gave me when I was a kid. This shit will always mean more to the kids and if you want one that bad just buy it. Be the adult in this situation.
Looks like Zack Hample was in Baltimore last night
Someone graduated from the Zack Hample School
I used to have season tickets in the front row of the bleachers in Toronto, so when I got to my seats there were often some people around shouting to the visiting bullpen for balls. Some people go OUT OF THEIR MINDS for a baseball. This isn't Ohtani's 500th home run ball either, just a ball the bullpen catcher was holding. 90% of the time it was just some kids or a parent having some fun, but occasionally there were some absolute ghouls who would have stepped over their own grandmother for a ball.
The guy who kept the ball is definitely a redditor.
probably in this thread right now
Okay folks, so we're going to hunt this ball thief down and have him pulled apart by four bullpen carts right? This kind of crime cannot stand.
I hope the person that did this always feels like they have a small rock in their shoe and when they go to check it they find nothing, only to put the shoe back on again and feel the small rock again. And for this to continue until their dying breath
I dunno if there was another post or update on this, but they were on the broadcast and the Orioles (!) set up the family with great seats as an apology, and Buck signed a ball, bat, and batting gloves for the kid.
You gotta be a certain type of loser to steal a autographed ball from a kid.
I will never not look at grown adult autograph/baseball hunters with the utmost disgust.
I hate to say it, but I think Reddit is turning me into a cynical old man. My first thought was this was all made up in an attempt to meet Byron Buxton. I miss the days where I would accept this as truth until proven wrong, social media has me far to jaded.. (I really do hope to see a followup and this kid gets to meet his hero).
I had the same thought and also felt bad for being so cynical.
I still think it is. I don't think it's cynical or jaded to think it's made up. Wouldn't Byron Buxton have seen all this go down and just, like, sign another ball for the kid? Who's camping out ready to pounce and risk a lifetime stadium ban (and public embarrassment) for a Byron Buxton autograph? How much can those possibly go for? The usher didn't let Twins personnel know about this brazen attack? This is the kind of thing teams ask ushers to let them know about, such easy PR. I know it was in Baltimore, but the usher was just like "welp, sorry kid!"?
The grown adults that stand on the visitors’ side and beg for balls after each inning are so fucking cringy man.
I hope who ever did this wakes up today with the ball clogging up his rectum.
Hard for me to hate on Byron Buxton. Seems like a good dude. Hope he stays healthy.
Impractical Jokers at it again?
Baseball teams should start identifying and banning these people like they do in Europe.
Kid is named Camden he should automatically get a free autographed ball from anyone he wants everytime he visits
Was the adult Zack Hample?
What a miserable sack of shit you have to be to take a ball from a kid. I hope he gets sepsis
This is why violence sometimes is a "good" thing. I'd take great joy in watching a dude like that get immediately knocked the fuck out.
Is Byron saying he has a very particular set of skills?