Heads Up!

With a sharp crack of the bat a ball is propelled into the grandstands and baseball fans find themselves in the game, literally!

The Pittsburgh Pirates were taking on the Tampa Bay Rays during a recent Grapefruit League spring training game at McKechnie Field when this hard ball went wayward.

Many foul balls have graced the fans in the stands. Some alert fans resort to cover, defending themselves with arms wrapped around their heads. Some watch with stoic bravery daring the ball to come their way. And then there are the armchair outfielders, prepared with glove in hand, as they think nothing about diving over three or four unwilling participants to make a spectacular catch.

But regardless who ultimately ends up with the prized ball, there is a resounding cheer from the crowd as the lucky backseat outfielder waves the ball in the air in triumph, all without spilling a drop of beer or a Cracker Jack.

After all spring training is good practice for both player and fan.

-Grant Jefferies