For those of you who are unfamiliar with the name, Zach Hample is a notorious "ball hawk." He apparently thinks this is some sort of talent and has written a book (multiple books?) on the subject. Hample claims to have caught more than 9,000 baseballs at more than 50 Major League parks. What he doesn't detail in his book is that his "talent" involves knocking people, including children, over during batting practice so he can catch as many balls as possible. Basically, he isn't lucky. He's not that random fan sitting in the stands who has a foul ball come directly to him.
Anyway, this isn't the first time Hample has worked his way into the news. He caught A-Rod's 3,000th hit last year, then held it hostage for a week before eventually giving it back to him in exchange for the Yankees making a donation to charity. Now, seeing as it was A-Rod, very few people had sympathy for him. But I think everyone would agree that Hample's behavior was nothing more than a shameless act of self-promotion.
Just when you thought this guy couldn't get any more despicable, he managed to prove us wrong. What he did on Sunday takes the cake. It was disrespectful to say the least, and there are many more choice adjectives that could be substituted. Nobody seemed to be amused, either. The prevailing sentiment was that this time, Hample had gone too far.
Fort Bragg is the largest active military base in the world, with more than 50,000 active duty personnel stationed there. The ballpark set up on the base held 12,500, which meant there would be at least 37,500 soldiers stationed on the base that wouldn't be able to attend. Soldiers had to enter a lottery for tickets, then, if they were lucky enough to get them, sign a waiver saying that they wouldn't sell them or give them away to civilians. The whole point of the game was for Major League Baseball to give back to our men and women in uniform.
Apparently that purpose was lost on Zach Hample. He just had to go. He offered $1,000 for tickets, then, when he found out that they weren't for sale, basically turned to the "help a brother out approach." He went so far as to create a Tinder profile requesting tickets. Somehow, this actually worked. Soldiers were allowed to bring a guest, so one offered Hample the opportunity to go because his girlfriend didn't want to. And evidently Hample was able to get on the base using just his driver's license, even though people with a Department of Defense ID are supposed to be the only ones with access.
As if that wasn't enough, Hample had to make sure everyone knew he was there. He posted tons of photos on his Twitter account from the game. He even took one with a ball (which I guess was one of the 11 he supposedly caught) with the special Fort Bragg Game logo on it, excitedly proclaiming that he can cross another ballpark off his list. Don't worry. He only kept the one ball. He gave away the other 10. And he donated $100 to a military charity for every ball he caught. That means he donated $1,100. Isn't he a great guy?!
Like I said, there were plenty of people that were none to pleased with Hample's actions. Someone pointed out that he took away a ticket (and a ball) from a soldier that otherwise might never have the opportunity to attend a Major League game. A Marlins fan known as "Marlins Man" emphasized the point that it was for military personnel and their families, of which Hample is neither, so he had no business being there. The Army's 82nd Airborne Division was perhaps the least amused group.
Hample apologized on Twitter, but that apology rings incredibly hollow. Partly because it seemed forced. Hample tried to explain himself, saying that his enthusiasm for the game "got the better of him." Except it comes off more as an excuse than anything else. I'm not even sure Hample knows how inappropriate his being there (and letting the world know about it) really was. Or if he even cares. What I am sure of, though, is that he doesn't regret going.
Sadly, we're giving Zach Hample exactly what he wants here. We're talking about him, and this is a guy who loves publicity. Whether it's good or bad doesn't seem to make a difference. (It's here where I go back to A-Rod. Remember his initial response, which was basically "f*** you," only to make himself look like the good guy after a couple days of criticism?) Plain and simple, Zach Hample craves the attention that he's once again being given.
There's currently an online petition asking for Hample to be banned from all Major League parks. It already has more than 3,500 signatures (mine included). I encourage you to add yours. Because after what was supposed to be a beautiful gesture of thanks from our nation's pastime to our nation's heroes, we're talking about this idiot instead. Enough is enough. We're all sick of hearing about Zach Hample.
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