Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

[Misfit]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

Most guys will give you a signed bat, ball, photo, whatever in a trade for the ball. If somehow the guy got into the Hall, that signed bat (especially if it said something in regards to catching the home run) would likely be just as valuable as the ball itself. Signing a contract for a ball disgusts me, that's just low. The ball will likely never be sold, so there probably isn't any money attached to it anyways. There's no need for red tape and official law documents over this kind of thing and if we ever reach that day I'm giving up on baseball.

That said, it would be nice if there was some unofficial code of etiquette where this stuff is concerned. I can say with full confidence, if it were me I'd just give him the ball and whatever he wanted to give me in return (if anything) is his call. If I had a kid or something with me I'd probably try to get the kid into the clubhouse to meet the guy or something but that would be the extent of it. I think it should be considered poor etiquette to request autographs/equipment of other players. Asking for something in exchange from the actual player seems fine to me, same for tickets, but asking for both is getting a bit greedy.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

Most guys will give you a signed bat, ball, photo, whatever in a trade for the ball. If somehow the guy got into the Hall, that signed bat (especially if it said something in regards to catching the home run) would likely be just as valuable as the ball itself. Signing a contract for a ball disgusts me, that's just low. The ball will likely never be sold, so there probably isn't any money attached to it anyways. There's no need for red tape and official law documents over this kind of thing and if we ever reach that day I'm giving up on baseball.

That said, it would be nice if there was some unofficial code of etiquette where this stuff is concerned. I can say with full confidence, if it were me I'd just give him the ball and whatever he wanted to give me in return (if anything) is his call. If I had a kid or something with me I'd probably try to get the kid into the clubhouse to meet the guy or something but that would be the extent of it. I think it should be considered poor etiquette to request autographs/equipment of other players. Asking for something in exchange from the actual player seems fine to me, same for tickets, but asking for both is getting a bit greedy.

Disagree on a number of points....

1. If this guy makes the Hall, the bat isn't going to be worth nearly as much as that ball. He'll probably sign hundreds, thousands of bats, but that will be the only ball he hit out for his fist homer.

2. Again, supply & demand. The ball is going to be a rare item in circulation. The scarcity of its availability is going to place it high value.

3. How is a contract low? Fan gets nothing if its just another HR, player gets a keepsake from his career. W/out a lawsuit or controversy later. I don't see a problem.

4. Asking to receive free what the player receives free isn't being greedy.

[Misfit]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

That ball will likely never be in circulation, its value will be only to the individual that hit it. Unless he falls on hard times, I can't see him selling it. The only way it goes into the market is if the player dies and how often does something like that go into circulation after a death? Not very. Less than 1% of all players who play MLB make the HoF. I don't know what the percentage is for those players first homerun balls making to market is, but I bet its pretty low making the liklihood of that ball caught ever commanding even a dollar incalcuably low. For a fan to go into an office, have lawyers present, and go through all of the other legal processes to sign a document giving him some entitlement to the ball in the event of its sale is a ridiculous notion. A signed bat acknowleging the occurrence ("Thanks for catching my first home run") will seperate it from any other piece of autographed memoribilia the player ever signs and give it its own unique value.

Clearly, your opinion of greed differs from mine. I don't think people should attend ballgames with the idea of making a profit. If you happen to catch a home run ball, great, enjoy the experience. To hold up a player for ransom seems low to me, just because that item has more value to the player than it likely will the person who caught it. I'm aware that I'm likely in the minority here in that I wouldn't expect or demand anything in exchange for such a ball. The way I see it, it's his home run ball, I just happen to catch it. I have no problem with people requesting a trade, but I do think they come across as greedy when they start listing off items they want as they are clearly just trying to take advantage of the situation. And to ask for something from another player on the team is just poor taste. The people who catch it and instantly wonder how they can profit from it strike me as ambulance chasers and I think that's a sad outlook to have.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

The only reason a ball like that is rarely in circulation is because usually the one who places the most snetimental value on it owns it. Namely the player. If anyone else ever had something similar, it would be auctioned off every other week.

Once more, the player wasn't held up for ransom. What the fan asked for, Coghlan didn't have to spend a dime for. You're exaggerating the situation like Coghlan is.

[Misfit]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

Once more, the player wasn't held up for ransom. What the fan asked for, Coghlan didn't have to spend a dime for. You're exaggerating the situation like Coghlan is.

I'm not talking about the Coghlan story.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

I'm not talking about the Coghlan story.

We are in a thread about the Coghlan ball, but you are not talking about Coghlan.

Oy vey.

[Misfit]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

We are in a thread about the Coghlan ball, but you are not talking about Coghlan.

Oy vey.

The topic of conversation also included general fan confrontations with players after catching a home run ball and I posted my thoughts on the subject. Is there something confusing about that for you?

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

The Marlins bullpen called me over and I spoke with Bullpen Coach Steve Foster. Mr. Foster informed me that the ball was Chris Coghlan's first career home run. He offered me another baseball in exchange. I respectfully declined. With over 775 career baseballs snagged, I didn't need another ball. He asked me what I was looking to get. I informed him I would like a couple of bats. Especially, one by the player who hit the ball.

Just give the damn ball back.

What a joke.

And... to prove how much of a loser this guy is... here's a extra special quote on his hobby...

..some people choose to sell drugs to kids. Some people choose to abuse drugs, themselves. Some people choose to get all liquored up and drive their vehicles. Some people choose to be abusive to their wives and kids. Some people choose to rob, steal and cheat. Some people take the lives of others.

Some people choose to snag baseballs at the ballpark.

Really? Get over yourself.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

The topic of conversation also included general fan confrontations with players after catching a home run ball and I posted my thoughts on the subject. Is there something confusing about that for you?

I went back & looked. No one had any comments about "general fan confrontations". All comments were directly about this fan & Coghlan.

[Misfit]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

I went back & looked. No one had any comments about "general fan confrontations". All comments were directly about this fan & Coghlan.

The initial comment that spurred my post was in regards to the subject of fans signing contracts before giving up these balls. That's something that can be applied to any like situation, not just this one particular case. Furthermore, if you wish to get my take on the situation you need only read my posts. Though I never specifically addressed the Coughlin situation, it can be inferred quite easily. In case you cannot come up with it, I don't have a problem with the guy asking for a photo, bat, tickets, whatever and do have an issue with the Ramirez bat request. I also don't like it when people try to maxmize whatever they can. I am making no exaggerations of anything, merely stating my point of view. I chose not to go into detail over this one particular instance because it is a case of he-said/he-said and there's no value in trying to form a conclusion based on that. If you're incapable of applying my posts to a broader spectrum then I'm afraid I can't help you and I have nothing further to say on the subject.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

The initial comment that spurred my post was in regards to the subject of fans signing contracts before giving up these balls. That's something that can be applied to any like situation, not just this one particular case. Furthermore, if you wish to get my take on the situation you need only read my posts. Though I never specifically addressed the Coughlin situation, it can be inferred quite easily. In case you cannot come up with it, I don't have a problem with the guy asking for a photo, bat, tickets, whatever and do have an issue with the Ramirez bat request. I also don't like it when people try to maxmize whatever they can. I am making no exaggerations of anything, merely stating my point of view. I chose not to go into detail over this one particular instance because it is a case of he-said/he-said and there's no value in trying to form a conclusion based on that. If you're incapable of applying my posts to a broader spectrum then I'm afraid I can't help you and I have nothing further to say on the subject.

Nothing in the context ever said anyone's comments were expanding their scope. Just admit it. You're just making a long-winded post to keep from confronting the fact you were wrong.

[TheLetterZ]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

Just give the damn ball back.

What a joke.

And... to prove how much of a loser this guy is... here's a extra special quote on his hobby...



Really? Get over yourself.

Says the general manager of the California Kodiaks and Pearl Harbor Whatevers, and the Commissioner of the NCFA.

[Misfit]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

Nothing in the context ever said anyone's comments were expanding their scope. Just admit it. You're just making a long-winded post to keep from confronting the fact you were wrong.

Apparently you do not know how a discussion forum works, and again, I can't help you with that. I chose to look at the big picture, based on someone's comment, and I see no reason to continue to defend my position of where I chose to go with my responses since no defense is needed.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

Apparently you do not know how a discussion forum works, and again, I can't help you with that. I chose to look at the big picture, based on someone's comment, and I see no reason to continue to defend my position of where I chose to go with my responses since no defense is needed.

I didn't ask for your help. For someone who sees no need to defend himself or has nothing else to say on the subject, you sure post alot.

Like you said, you chose to expand the convo. Not anyone else. Your own words just showed you were wrong & took the conversation out of context & off tangent. This entire leg of this thread stems from you being to insecure to admit a mistake. Like I always say, "no one claims to be perfect, but hardly anyone admits to a mistake."

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Chris Coghlan's "Ransom Ball"

Color me stupid. I thought this was a comparison of Chris Coghlan to Cody Ransom.