Just Give the Kid a Ball!

      In the game of baseball there are certain unwritten rules that the players follow.  A certain etiquette that makes the game great and provides added respect and admiration for the men on the field.  Whether they win or lose they can say that they played the game the way that it was meant to be played, and can hold their heads high knowing this.  The same is true for the fans when they purchase a ticket and attend a game.  They are also subjected to a set of unwritten rules that the "true" fans of the game would follow.  Some examples of these rules include but are not limited to; not interfering with the game being played, not heckling the players about their personal lives, and older fans giving  a ball tossed into the stands to a crying toddler sitting next to them.  The last rule mentioned seems like common sense to most adults, but sadly common sense is not very common in this world that we live in.
   During the eighth inning of Wednesday's game between the Yankees and Rangers a foul ball was picked up by Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland and tossed into the stands toward a young fan in an adult's arms.  The ball landed on the ground and was scooped up by the fan sitting next to them.  Instead of giving the ball to the child he handed it to the woman sitting to his right.  This prompted the young fan to burst into tears when he realized that the ball was not going to be his.  Then the seemingly innocent story became worse.  The fan with the souvenir ball simply ignored the crying child and proceeded to take photos of his lady friend with the ball.  Michael Kay, the Yankees play-by-play announcer became understandably angry at what he had just witnessed and even pointed out the total lack of compassion to the viewers at home.  Kay used the descriptive words awful, cold, and oblivious to describe what was happening.  Then someone from the Texas dugout saw the child crying and tossed another ball into the stands which immediately put a smile on his face.  As this was happening, however, the couple next to them leaned in to kiss each other completely oblivious to what was going on.
   The story ended well for the crying child because he too went home with a souvenir, but what about the adults sitting next to him.  They didn't break any posted stadium rules, but morally they should be ashamed of themselves.  As was stated earlier there are certain unwritten rules that are associated with attending a ballgame, and if there was a kangaroo court for fans these two people would without doubt be found guilty and fined.  Just give the kid a ball!  When Moreland tossed the ball into the stands it was probably meant for the child anyway, as is usually the case when players look into the stands for someone to give a ball to.  Getting a baseball at a ballgame is understandably an exciting experience but the fact that these adults didn't feel even a little obligated to share that experience with a child is just ridiculous and selfish.  That would make the child's night, and he would walk away from that game with a memory that will last forever.  The two fans felt the need to, as Michael Kay pointed out, actually rub it in the kids face by taking pictures and laughing as the child looked on and cried. 
   To be fair to the couple, however, they stated that they were just caught up in the moment and even took the time to speak to the adults with the toddler.  They said that they have children of their own and would never do anything to intentionally hurt a child.  It is certainly understandable to be caught up in the moment, but how could someone be that "caught up" to completely ignore the situation.  I would hate to be driving next to these people the next time that they get "caught up" in a moment because I might just end up in a ditch.