What are the odds of catching a foul ball at a Major League Baseball game?

I have caught a few foul balls during MLB games, and without invading any seats for which I did not pay, scrumming with anybody under the seats, or begging for anyone else's souvenir.

The most important factors are:
1. Buy your seat on an aisle. This increases the square footage accessible to you many times over.
2. Take a glove and wear it whenever there's a batter in the box.
3. Keep your eye on the ball. You won't catch anything if you try to locate the ball only after the people around you react.

This question is tough to answer because there are so many different factors that can dramatically change your odds. First, where in the ballpark are you sitting? Are you actively moving around, changing position as batters change from right to left handed? Did you bring any aids with you such as a fishing net? Are you able to get by the security guards?

Zack Hample's odds of catching a foul ball are pretty good. As of today, he's caught 2,714 foul balls, and he's only 28 years old. As of Oct. 18th 1999, he had 1,517. If you do the math, he's averaged 200/year for the last 6 years.

EDIT: I apologize for not clarifying that the number of foul balls Hample has caught includes pre-game batting practice fouls.

http://www.zackhample.com/Default.htm

'Describing his art as “half skill, half luck” Zack has developed a formula, the end result of which is walking away from nearly every ball game with at least one baseball. So, what’s the trick? “Movement and location,” says Zack. Playing the odds and switching seats for left handed and right handed batters is his main focus. “Second level loge over home plate, shaded slightly towards third seems to be the best spot,” he confesses. As an endless skeptic, I questioned how he got past security and into the various sections he alternated between in each ballpark. He described this aspect as “a constant struggle.” “Some guards are on a real power trip; they think it’s their life-long duty to stop people from entering their section. I got to know a few, though, and the others I just sneak past.”

http://www.zackhample.com/books_reviews_articles36.htm

I can't give you the odds but if you goto this site http://www.lulu.com/content/4567090 you will find a great book with all the pointers, tips and everything else you need that will help you get baseballs, autographs and much more at baseball games!!

Dave

Good if your in the right part of the stadium.

it depends where you are. If u are at Yankee stadium the odds will be a lot lower then if you were down in Miami at a Marlins game.

Zack does not CATCH the balls that he gets. Zack begs for the balls so he is not someone that you can use on this.

There is another guy that has caught or chased down 2800+ balls. Major League Ballhawk John Witt.

Of those 2800 he claims that over 80% have been caught by him.

If you do your homework and follow some simply rules you can get a ball at almost every game you go to!

Both Zack and John offer opportunities to go to games with them and learn the tips and tricks.

http://www.majorleagueballhawk.mlblogs.com
http://zachhample.com

I would say the number of pitches in a game (18x9) on average.....divided by the number of people in the foul lane stands (somewhere in the hundreds)...kind like getting a royal flush during a Texas hold em Game....;)

The odds of catching a baseball (whether foul ball or homerun) at a major league baseball game is 1:563.