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Major League Baseball is adding an exciting twist to the 2011 MLB Home Run Derby, putting balls made partially of 24-karat gold leather into play for the 10th, and final, out of each batter's turn at the plate. The balls will contain a panel created from gold-infused leather, making for one valuable keepsake. Home runs hit in the final out of an at-bat will also raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of America: Each gold ball home run will result in an $18,000 donation to the charity.
Here's the details for the gold balls, courtesy of MLB.com.
They were crafted by Rawlings and Gold Sport Collectibles with an MSRP of $149.99 each, providing a particularly valuable keepsake for any fan who is lucky enough to snag one in the Chase Field stands.
So limited edition balls worth much more than the memory that comes with catching a home run will be sent soaring into the crowded stands at Chase Field? I see no way this could backfire at all. I'm sure the crowds will politely yield to the person in the path of the ball-flight with no problems at all.
Yeah, this is going to be ugly. While the idea is nice, I'm not sure the execution will result in the intended effect, unless that effect is a free-for-all melee that includes kicking, scratching and, perhaps, hay-makers.
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