Zach Hample, the infamous baseball collector and YouTuber, found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after an incident at the Angels-Rays game on Tuesday.
Hample, known for claiming to have collected over 12,000 baseballs from Major League games, has long been a controversial figure in the baseball world.
His methods for obtaining baseballs have raised eyebrows, including a widely criticized moment where he allegedly took a ball meant for a child during a Colorado Rockies game.
While Hample’s actions have sparked debate before, his latest controversy seemingly irked many fans, except perhaps for a few Angels supporters.
The incident occurred in the top of the second inning, when Kyren Paris launched a fly ball to deep left field.
The ball appeared to be on a direct path toward Rays outfielder Christopher Morel, who positioned himself to make the catch. However, before Morel could secure the ball, Hample, seated in the stands above him, reached out and made the catch himself.
The play immediately caught the attention of social media users, who quickly began criticizing Hample’s actions.
Despite the outcry, the Rays decided to challenge the play for fan interference after Paris’ two-run blast. However, the umpires upheld the catch, ruling that Hample was within his rights to snare the ball.
Still, Morel, known for his remarkable ability to rob home runs, had been in position to make another spectacular play.
The Angels took a 2-0 lead as a result of the play, and they ultimately held on to win 4-3. The Rays, now 4-6 on the season, continue to struggle out of the gate, a far cry from the 99-63 record they posted two years ago.
That standout season now feels like a distant memory, especially given the talent the team has lost since then. Despite the rough start, however, there is still time for Tampa Bay to turn things around.
In the aftermath of the game, the debate over Hample’s catch and his approach to collecting baseballs rages on, with many questioning whether his actions undermine the integrity of fan interactions.
Where do you stand on the whole Zach Hample debate? … Is he a hero or villain???
