Fan assists in the front row

[astrosdoug]

This season we've seen a significant number of balls hit into the front row of the stands. Unfortunately, most fans seem to be clueless about what to do to help the Astros. They don't understand what is their territory and what is the fielder's territory. And they may have been told that they can be ejected from the park if they interfere with a ball.

Now, I don't expect the ladies to do anything to help the Astros in these cases. They are probably best off ducking for cover. An exception would be ladies who have played competitive softball and have fielding skills. 

Men and boys over 15 ought to know what to do, however. Check out this photo and see how many men have a clue what to do when Bregman hits a would-be HR to right field.



The bearded gentleman knows what to do, but he's too far away to be of help. If the fan wearing glasses and the bald fellow would both do their jobs, the Astros would at least have tied this game which ended in a 1-0 loss to the Royals. It's really shameful how these grown men are backing away in fear from a baseball and a visiting outfielder. 

The 2015 team had two losses late in the season that could easily have become wins if fans in the front row had known what to do. With Seattle being as pesky as they are, there's no sense in giving games away due to fan ignorance or timidity.

[Deleted]

You missed the Toronto game we just played (game #1) where Springer hit a would be HR into the first row that would have tied the game at 6, but the fans didn't interfere and allowed the Blue Jay fielder to reach his glove over the wall and catch it. As a fan, you have a legal right to smack that ball out of his glove or at least knock his glove to the side while "attempting to get said ball"

[unionstation82]

Both instances make me shake my head. Like I said before, these same fans would interfere with one of our guys trying to make an out. Also, there was a game earlier this year where they had to stop an Astros runner from first base at third because an idiot fan reached out and grabbed a double down the line. Fortunately, the run later scored.

[Saint]

For most fans this type of thing is a once in a lifetime event. They aren't expecting it. They're not mentally prepared and their reactions are to avoid or go all-in regardless of the consequences.

It's like the first time people are exposed to weapons or real violence. They don't think it will happen to them and their reaction is most likely to freeze up or run with no thought.

Nobody thinks out things a head of time anymore.

[blcoach8]

Jun 29, 2018 0:37:40 GMT -6 @jayfree5 said:

You missed the Toronto game we just played (game #1) where Springer hit a would be HR into the first row that would have tied the game at 6, but the fans didn't interfere and allowed the Blue Jay fielder to reach his glove over the wall and catch it. As a fan, you have a legal right to smack that ball out of his glove or at least knock his glove to the side while "attempting to get said ball"

that idiot with the glove who backed off and let the OF catch the ball probably cost us the game.  Somebody near him should have kicked his ass.

[bearbryant]

in all fairness to the fans, understanding spectator rules and not wanting to break a finger interfering with the mitt of a 220 lb athlete are two different things. Fans are
warned they could be ejected for possibly interfering with the ball, and I'm willing to bet the ushers themselves don't know spectator rules. They just get dispatched to
the site if there's a dispute

I remember watching a game not to long ago where a kid stuck out his glove and caught a homer, clearly within spectator rules, but an usher was summoned to his seat
immediately nonetheless, and I'm sure it scared the hell out of him. Security has made it more trouble than it's worth for ticket buyers who may just be content with not
having a fun afternoon ruined if they can help it

[Saint]

Jun 29, 2018 12:29:18 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

in all fairness to the fans, understanding spectator rules and not wanting to break a finger interfering with the mitt of a 220 lb athlete are two different things. Fans are
warned they could be ejected for possibly interfering with the ball, and I'm willing to bet the ushers themselves don't know spectator rules. They just get dispatched to
the site if there's a dispute

I remember watching a game not to long ago where a kid stuck out his glove and caught a homer, clearly within spectator rules, but an usher was summoned to his seat
immediately nonetheless, and I'm sure it scared the hell out of him. Security has made it more trouble than it's worth for ticket buyers who may just be content with not
having a fun afternoon ruined if they can help it

"not wanting to break a finger"

Ture.  All I'll add to that also is that the balls hurt out that far without a glove if you don't catch it just right.

[astrosdoug]

Jun 29, 2018 12:29:18 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

in all fairness to the fans, understanding spectator rules and not wanting to break a finger interfering with the mitt of a 220 lb athlete are two different things. Fans are
warned they could be ejected for possibly interfering with the ball, and I'm willing to bet the ushers themselves don't know spectator rules. They just get dispatched to
the site if there's a dispute

I remember watching a game not to long ago where a kid stuck out his glove and caught a homer, clearly within spectator rules, but an usher was summoned to his seat
immediately nonetheless, and I'm sure it scared the hell out of him. Security has made it more trouble than it's worth for ticket buyers who may just be content with not
having a fun afternoon ruined if they can help it

That's a fair point. I remember that kid. 

When I see games played at Yankee stadium, it seems to me that their fans have a better idea of what to do. Maybe the fact that baseball sort of started out in New York has something to do with people's greater familiarity with the rules.

[astrosdoug]

IN the photo above we can see another reason some fans might not go after fly balls -- the bald guy is holding a cel phone. A lot of people love their i-phone more than they love the Astros, I guess.

[thomasj13]

Jun 29, 2018 11:21:19 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

Jun 29, 2018 0:37:40 GMT -6 @jayfree5 said:

You missed the Toronto game we just played (game #1) where Springer hit a would be HR into the first row that would have tied the game at 6, but the fans didn't interfere and allowed the Blue Jay fielder to reach his glove over the wall and catch it. As a fan, you have a legal right to smack that ball out of his glove or at least knock his glove to the side while "attempting to get said ball"

that idiot with the glove who backed off and let the OF catch the ball probably cost us the game.  Somebody near him should have kicked his ass.

Maybe for the playoffs, the Astros should screen/interview for people along the HR line...and they have to not just pay for those seats, but audition for them....

[thomasj13]

Oh and foul line seats....truly make it home field advantage...

[thomasj13]

Jun 29, 2018 12:45:09 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

IN the photo above we can see another reason some fans might not go after fly balls -- the bald guy is holding a cel phone. A lot of people love their i-phone more than they love the Astros, I guess.

No cell phones are permitted at these seats....(another add-on to the application for buying tickets for those seats).

[blcoach8]

Jun 29, 2018 12:45:09 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

IN the photo above we can see another reason some fans might not go after fly balls -- the bald guy is holding a cel phone. A lot of people love their i-phone more than they love the Astros, I guess.

I have never understood why people pay good money for tickets to a game and then sit  with their heads buried in their phone or some other gadget and have no idea what is happening on the field.  The worst are the ones in the high-priced seats behind home plate.

[Saint]

Jun 29, 2018 13:04:58 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

Jun 29, 2018 12:45:09 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

IN the photo above we can see another reason some fans might not go after fly balls -- the bald guy is holding a cel phone. A lot of people love their i-phone more than they love the Astros, I guess.

I have never understood why people pay good money for tickets to a game and then sit  with their heads buried in their phone or some other gadget and have no idea what is happening on the field.  The worst are the ones in the high-priced seats behind home plate.

Or when they gossip the whole time about anything but baseball and don't have any real idea what's going on.

Or fans that obviously don't know the game or the players, but try to pretend they do when they talk to their seat neighbors.

Or females that take annoying selfies directly in front of you.

Or the ones that can't control their bladders and get up every inning causing you to have to get up constantly.

Or those that sneak down and take closer seats that you were also thinking of taking but they got there first.

Any opposing fan ever that feels like they deserve the ability to talk shit even though they themselves are doing nothing.

[fanastro]

I was at a game in 2015 where Keuchel was pitching a gem. We were up 1-0 against the Rays when a Tampa player hit a foul ball to the first base side. Valbuena was playing first and in position to make the catch when some doofus in the stands tried to catch the ball with his baseball cap. That Rays batter then got on base and a run scored that inning, maybe two.

Anyways we were down by a run in the Ninth until the Rays pulled the infield in and a routine groundball from Gatticus became an RBI single. Correa drove in the winning run in extra so it worked out okay.... but just think, that dumbass Astro fan almost cost the team not just a game, but a playoff appearance.

[blcoach8]

Jun 29, 2018 13:11:50 GMT -6 Saint said:

Jun 29, 2018 13:04:58 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

I have never understood why people pay good money for tickets to a game and then sit  with their heads buried in their phone or some other gadget and have no idea what is happening on the field.  The worst are the ones in the high-priced seats behind home plate.

Or when they gossip the whole time about anything but baseball and don't have any real idea what's going on.

Or fans that obviously don't know the game or the players, but try to pretend they do when they talk to their seat neighbors.

Or females that take annoying selfies directly in front of you.

Or the ones that can't control their bladders and get up every inning causing you to have to get up constantly.

Or those that sneak down and take closer seats that you were also thinking of taking but they got there first.

Any opposing fan ever that feels like they deserve the ability to talk shit even though they themselves are doing nothing.

Nothing more irritating than to have your feet stepped on by people who just come to the game to drink beer and have no clue who is even on the team.