He Splintered that ball! (A true story)

[MARKHUARD]

The sports headlines will report that the Braves beat the Pirates by a 5-4 score Saturday night, the game winning hit coming on a bases loaded single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. However, the true hero of this game was our very own Splinter.

Jeep, Splinter and I were in attendance at Turner Field for this midsummer's game. While Francouer's ninth inning single captured the win for the home team, it was a play in the top of the sixth inning that captured the hearts of the crowd and coined the phrase "He Splintered that ball!".

With a runner on first and nobody out in the top of the 6th, National League batting champion Freddy Sanchez strode to the batter's box to do battle with Atlanta southpaw Chuck James. The young lefthander reared back and fired the baseball towards home plate. Sanchez swung and put good wood on the ball but he was under it and just a tad late. The foul ball shot into the sky, angling towards the stands behind the Braves dugout at the first base bag. As the ball came spinning back to earth and gaining in velocity, it appeared that no fan would catch the ball and someone might possibly get hurt when a former third baseman regained the grace and speed of his youth if only for this one night.

Without hesitation, the Splinter lept to his feet, extended his left hand high into the night air and snagged the ball off Sanchez's bat - barehanded and without so much as a flinch. The crowd on the first base side of Turner Field erupted in applause and fans showered the Splinter with praise. Although neither Jeep nor I saw it, a fan sitting beside us said she saw Sanchez pull on his cap in admiration as he knocked the dirt from his cleats. (OK, that part didn't happen but everything else did including the roar of the crowd when Splinter speared the ball with just one hand.)

Later in the game, there were other foul balls to the crowd as well as plays made in the field but none were the equal of the sizzling catch made in the top of the 6th inning off the bat off the defending NL batting champion. It was said by one fan later in the game after a ball was muffed, "Boy, he sure didn't Splinter that one, did he?"

Whenever you attend a baseball game from now on, whether in tee ball or the major leagues or anywhere in between, and you hear someone in the crowd yell "Wow! He Splintered that ball!", you'll know where it came from and how it started: none other than SOM's own maker of Web Gems, the Splinter.

So now you know...the rest of the story. Good day! :D

[Jeepdriver]

I can verify that the above is all true. :D

[FRANKMANSUETO]

This just goes to prove my point. Whether is 1 or 2, Splinter is good with BALLS in his hands. :lol:

[the splinter]

Thank you Beach for the kind and well written account of the event.

Let me just say this. Beach is the nicest and most generous gentleman this side of Las Vegas Bobby. He provided us with great seats and a great conversation through out the game(30 minute rain delay included). He also displayed Marine like qualities as he did his best to insure that no man was left behind. He insisted that Jeep and I enter the game on time as he waited for Hawk until the second inning before he finaly relented and joined us at our seats.

Big ups to Jeep as well. This dude will travel at the drop of a hat. He made a Herculian effort( a 5 hour round trip on a Saturday afternoon/late night ) to join us at the game...I'm glad he did. This guy knows baseball(Beach too!).

Great game, great time, great company all the way around.

Ah Frank, I am at my best when my balls are resting on your chin.

[visick]

Nice going Jim. :lol: