On Friday night, I attended my 21st Royals game of the season at Kauffman Stadium. With a 3-1 victory, my record improved to 10-11 for the season at the K.
Ironically, according to my MLB Ballpark app, it was also the ninth-straight loss I have seen from the White Sox in my history of tracking games, as I also saw two Chicago losses at Rate Field earlier this summer (against the Rangers and Giants, respectively, in Section 108, as I have been in their “Class Pic” post twice, including this one on a Friday night game on June 28th against the Giants).
In addition to seeing my third-straight win in person at the K (I was on quite the losing streak for a while), I was also able to experience a pretty unique moment for a baseball fan. I caught a foul ball on the fly in the bottom of the ninth inning off the bat of White Sox catcher Edgar Quero.
My wife and I are in section 418, which is the lower level of the upper decks, right above the press box. We have been season ticket holders in that section since 2022. It’s tough to get foul balls because we’re a bit in “no man’s land” in terms of direction. A lot of foul balls will go in sections to our left or right, but it’s a lot harder for them to go into our section due to the direct angle right behind home plate.
For a fly ball to come to our section, it typically has to be a lefty, and there has to be a high-velocity pitcher on the mound. The combo of Quero and Royals closer Carlos Estevez made a foul ball in our section a reality.
As one can see in the photo in my BSky post, I always keep score at every game I attend at Kauffman in my Bob Carpenter scorebook (Carpenter is a play-by-play man for the Nationals and will be retiring after this season). Doing score not only keeps me in the game, but also keeps me away from my cell phone and social media, which distracts me from the ballpark experience.
Keeping score is a very “zen” experience for me (similar to how it is for my friend Mike, who wrote this article years ago about keeping score), as it is something that helps me relax, not just during the game, but maybe after a difficult day or week. Thankfully, my wife is very supportive of this, even if it means we aren’t talking a whole lot during a baseball game (she knows how to keep score when I need to use the restroom).
Anyways, I was deep into my scorekeeping, especially in the ninth with Estevez trying to close out a two-run lead with the heart of the White Sox order up (including Lenyn Sosa, who was responsible for Chicago’s lone run). After striking out White Sox rookie sensation Colson Montgomery, looking for the first out, Estevez and Quero engaged in a battle with two strikes, which led to the foul ball in my section on the seventh pitch of the at-bat.
Looking at the trajectory of the ball, I knew it was coming to me and me alone, as it was too high for the person in front of us (another couple of season ticket holders). I ended up putting my book to the side on the concrete steps, but without thinking, I kept my mechanical pencil in my hand. I stood up, dug in my feet, and with two hands, caught the ball cleanly like a coach getting a warm-up ball from his players before the start of the inning.
Two thoughts came to my mind when the ball was up: It’s coming to you, and don’t drop it in front of the 20,829 people at the K that night.
Luckily, I didn’t choke. I caught the ball cleanly on the fly without the slightest bobble, much to the elation of my wife and me.
I didn’t give the ball away to a kiddo, as some are prone to do (my friend, through text, called me “Zach Hample” for not doing so). However, I have waited 38 years for a foul ball. If I’m lucky enough to get another one, I’d be happy to give it to a young baseball fan next to me.
This one, however? It will stay with me and, in case, with the pitcher, hitter, and date marked on the glass case.
Remembering Our Friend in Section 418
Being a season ticket holder helps you develop all kinds of relationships that connect you with people from all walks of life, all through that bond of Kansas City Royals baseball.
One of those relationships is with one’s section usher.
In our first two years, we had Nancy as our usher.
Nancy, a retired teacher, got along with us immediately because my wife and I both worked in education. In addition to talking to her each game before things filled up (we always got to our section early), we also exchanged gifts with each other. On the last game of the year, we gave her a gift, typically KC earrings from a Made in KC store. Before our marriage, she gave us a $100 gift card to McCormick and Schmick’s.
Nancy retired after the 2023 season, and in her place came Shawn.
Shawn was a big-hearted and kind person whom we connected with immediately. In addition to being a friendly and thorough usher, he was also an immense baseball fan. He talked about growing up a Cubs fan and how he loved both the Royals and Cubs passionately (which made last season’s series against the Cubs at the K a tough one). He was also always good for a sharp quip after a loss or rough game, but in a way that felt playful, positive, and not mean-spirited toward the team or players.
For two years, we got to know Shawn well. On Tuesday’s game against the Nationals, we talked to him about his new grandbaby, whom he was babysitting during the days before heading to the stadium to usher.
Little did we know that it would be his last game, as we noticed his jersey and a picture of him hanging in section 418 before Friday’s game.
A new usher had told us about his passing away unexpectedly on Thursday night due to a health complication. After we sat down, the usher in 419, who recognized us, came over and talked to us about his passing. She mentioned how shocking the news was, and how grateful they all were for the Royals creating the jersey and allowing his memory to be recognized in that section for that evening.
I know some people may be religious, and some may not. However, the game had a different spirit to it on Friday night.
The Royals won 3-1, with Salvador Perez hitting an atypical opposite-field home run.
Estevez had extra pop in his stuff, as evidenced by his three strikeouts and excellent metrics from Friday’s save.
And lastly, Matt Quatraro got fired up and ejected after a brutal non-call at second base. Shawn always advocated and cheered on spirited managing and playing, and one couldn’t help but feel like the spirit of Shawn may have nudged Q to get more fired up than usual.
And lastly, the foul ball, right to our section, right to me. It was like Shawn was Al from Angels in the Outfield, pushing that foul ball of Quero’s bat right to us, to me.
I can’t help but feel like that was one last gift from Shawn to us in Section 418, after nearly two years of him being a gift to all of us. After the game, my wife and I took a photo with Shawn’s picture and the foul ball to commemorate the moment.
Without a doubt, that Royals win was for Shawn. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if win happened due to some help from Shawn above, in some Angels in the Outfield fashion.
Friday night may have just been a typical win in the box score to some, especially with the Royals the favorite over a 44-77 White Sox team entering the game.
For us, in Section 418, it was a bit more personal and special. It was the kind of game that honored a phenomenal usher and person’s memory and will forever be positively burned in our collective psyches.
Baseball is more than a game. Friday night’s win over the White Sox was a classic example of that.
What a lovely post! Congrats, also, on the foul ball!
Thank you so much! Appreciate the feedback!
Section 419 here – didn’t know you had a blog, but was looking up info on Shawn and came upon your blog. Very well said – Shawn was a great guy and we’ll miss him dearly. Jake
Hey Jake! Thanks for finding this blog and the comment! I agree. Shawn was awesome and he will be missed. Thanks for reaching out and see you at a game soon!