Sports

Cleveland Guardians Fan Returns HR Ball To Young Girl After Online Lashing

by

MLB.TV


A Cleveland Guardians fan went viral on Monday night after prying a home run ball from the hands of a young girl. He was quickly shamed into returning it by viewers online.

The fan has since deleted social media, though the girl’s mother provided an update on the situation via Facebook. The visiting team made sure to right the wrong.

“Cleveland Mom Here,” she wrote after the fact. “You all watched the man steal the ball from my daughter. You know my son went to ask him for the ball, which was so brave. I just have to say thank you to Tampa for broadcasting it, when the Cleveland broadcast cut to puppies rather than show the man stealing the ball from a child.

“I cannot thank (Rays reporter) Ryan (Bass) and Tampa enough for making things right. Thank you all for looking out for ALL young baseball fans. It is top notch sportsmanship. My daughter and I cried happy tears. I am so proud of my kids for how they handled tonight, and so proud of Tampa and its fans for standing up for my child.

“The pressure resulted in the man giving her the home run ball back 4-5 innings later towards the end of the game. It wasn’t the same, but we appreciated him doing the right thing… I may be Ohio Grown and forever Cleveland (Jose!!!!) but I will be a Tampa fan on principle alone.”

Cleveland Guardians fan shamed into ditching HR ball.

The play came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Cleveland slugger Daniel Schneemann smacked an opposite field home run to left.

A Guardians fan unsuccessfully attempted to make the catch. The ball ricocheted to a nearby section and under the feet of a young patron.

The fan that initially dropped the home run ball then raced up a short flight of steps to reclaim what he believed was his. It was a bad look.

The young girl was visibly upset. The girl’s brother asked for the ball back, according to the mom, but was rejected. The poor optics sparked an immediate reaction online.

Viewers ripped the Cleveland Guardians fan to shreds. He eventually gave the ball back.

He has since left social media.

The Rays came to the rescue.

Tampa Reporter Ryan Bass quickly jumped in to right the wrong. He gave the little girl a game ball after having the home run swiped from her grasp.

Her brother would also walk away with a ball after the shamed fan returned the home run ball “4-5 innings” later.