What on earth makkes a "former youth minister", or anyone, do something like this?

[faithinkarma]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5224652/

ARLINGTON, Texas - A 4-year-old boy who lost a foul ball to a not-so-grown-up adult is getting a windfall worthy of a game-winning home run hitter.

A man sitting behind Nick O’Brien at a Texas Rangers baseball game Sunday knocked the boy against the seats as he dived to get a foul ball. Fans started chanting “Give him the ball!” but the man wouldn’t give it up.

“I couldn’t believe someone would do something like that to a 4-year-old boy,” said Nick’s mother, Edie O’Brien.

O’Brien said she swatted the man with a cardboard fan and called him a jerk, among other names. “I said, ‘You trampled a 4-year-old boy to get this ball,’ and he said, ‘Oh, well,”’ she told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, adding that the man seemed proud he got the ball.

Video shows Nick was standing up as the man dived across the boy’s seat to grab the ball at Nick’s feet. The man’s leg strikes the boy, and the boy is jostled a second time as the man stands up with the ball and appears to exchange words with the mother.

Nick wasn’t hurt, but fan outrage mushroomed, and even Rangers announcer Tom Grieve voiced his disapproval on TV, calling the man “the biggest jerk in this park.” The man and a woman with him left before the game was over.

Meanwhile, the Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals quickly made sure Nick got souvenirs of his own — two bats and four baseballs, including one signed by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, a former Ranger.

Cardinals outfielder Reggie Sanders came out between innings to give Nick a bat and ball. “In my heart, I thought I should do something,” said Sanders. “It’s all about the kids.”

The man who took the foul ball has not responded publicly to the criticism, but The Dallas Morning News identified him as Matt Starr, a married, 28-year-old landscaper and former youth minister.

Starr is “not the bad guy he’s been made out to be,” said Rick DuBose, senior pastor of the Sachse Assembly of God Church. “He probably got a little aggressive and did something he regrets. But that’s not Matt. He’s a good kid, a good young man.”

On “Good Morning America,” host Charles Gibson gave the O’Briens more souvenirs Wednesday — this time from the New York Mets. The family got tickets to Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Indians.

“Wow,” Nick responded


Honest to Pete, I saw this on TV this morning and had trouble believing my eyes. I just keep wondering how this guy could sit there ignoring the taunts of the crowd, apparently firm in his conviction that he had done nothing wrong. What possible pleasure is he ever going to get from that ball, knowing he won it by being bigger than a 4 year old? Has the world gone nuts?

 

[Eeyore1954]

Wowzers ... this man redefines the words stubborn, rude and classless. Oh well, I hope he enjoys the ball and his 15 minutes of infamy.

 

[beattyfamily]

I know! I saw this footage the other day and couldn't believe my eyes. What a looser! You could say he got caught up in the heat of the moment but he then should have realized the error of his ways and given the boy the ball. He didn't. He's a JERK!

I just read that the boy got a bunch of balls and bats afterwards and was on Good Morning America where he got more gifts from the Mets and tickets to their game.

That man must be so embarrassed now, or at least I hope he is.

 

[dmadman43]

I saw this, too. What a moron that guy was. Dude! You're 28 years old and never had a baseball before???? Sheesh!!! I'm sure you could afford to buy one in the team shop. The fact that he didn't even THINK to give the ball to the kid after the fans reaction is just crazy! I'm sure he feels great now, knowing the kid has souveniers up the wazoo! You enjoy that foul ball there, pal! I guess in retrospect as far as the kid is concerned, the jerk did a good thing!

 

[cynsaun]

He did make a huge idiot of himself!

And, boy didn't the little kid make out! Good for him!

I am glad to see the players respond to this. So often sports figures get so caught up in being who they are and how much they make, they forget about the fans. It gave me a little bit of respect for the players and teams!

 

[piglet too]

I really hate it that there are "adults" out there who would do that. Good for that little boy that he is getting so much more out of it too.

We are going to a game next week, great seats three rows up, and I told my husband that if we get any foul balls and there are little kids close by that he WILL give it to them! He agreed, but I know OUR kids will be dissapointed that they don't get it (they will be at home.)

 

[liznboys]

He needs to come forward and apologize, and give that 4 yr old that stupid ball (as a gesture)! What a dumb thing he did...

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I'm glad they named him publicly on the news sites. he will forever be known as the loser who shoved a four year old to get a baseball.

I hope he serves as an example to other obnoxious people.

I can't even wrap my mind around behaving like this guy...

 

[Lanshark]

Maybe he and the "Cubs Fan" can get seats next to each other.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Maybe he needs to go pray about it?

He does sound like a jerk.

 

[monkeyboy]

I think the only thing worse than this would be something like...hitting a person with a bat while they were sausage racing

 

[Beth76]

I just heard this on the radio. I didn't watch the game and I haven't seen it replayed on TV either. I'm just glad it didn't happen here in STL.

 

[Az Pirates]

Unfortunately I think it happens all too often. My 8 yr. old was shoved out of the way by a man - probably in his 20's - who was trying to get a foul ball at a game a week or so ago.
Was not caught on camera - but the guy was a real jerk!

I don't understand what the big deal is. I've seen people topple over seats and dive on the ground - that's gotta hurt! Is that little ball worth all that?

There are some really great people out there too. Last season a teenage kid sitting by us caught a ball and brought it over and gave it to my son - when I asked him if he was sure he wanted to give it up he said he knew it would mean a lot more to a little kid who he could tell was a huge baseball fan than it would to him. I was really impressed!

 

[Pin Wizard]

I hope the jerk loses the ball!!!

 

[piglet too]

Originally posted by Az Pirates

There are some really great people out there too. Last season a teenage kid sitting by us caught a ball and brought it over and gave it to my son - when I asked him if he was sure he wanted to give it up he said he knew it would mean a lot more to a little kid who he could tell was a huge baseball fan than it would to him. I was really impressed!

Now that is what it is supposed to be like! What a great kid, hope mine will be the same when they grow up.

That reminds me of a baseball player for a minor league team that we saw a few years ago. He stayed for over an hour after the game, not even going to get his shower yet, signing balls and such for the kids. His Dad was talking to us and told us that his son recalled the hurt he felt when some Pro player ignored him, and vowed to never be like that. This guy even bought balls to use for those kids who did not have one. He would not give the balls to adults either.

 

[southernclass]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5224652/

ARLINGTON, Texas - A 4-year-old boy who lost a foul ball to a not-so-grown-up adult is getting a windfall worthy of a game-winning home run hitter.

A man sitting behind Nick O’Brien at a Texas Rangers baseball game Sunday knocked the boy against the seats as he dived to get a foul ball. Fans started chanting “Give him the ball!” but the man wouldn’t give it up.

“I couldn’t believe someone would do something like that to a 4-year-old boy,” said Nick’s mother, Edie O’Brien.

O’Brien said she swatted the man with a cardboard fan and called him a jerk, among other names. “I said, ‘You trampled a 4-year-old boy to get this ball,’ and he said, ‘Oh, well,”’ she told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, adding that the man seemed proud he got the ball.

You should try going to Mardi Gras!! It is the most pathetic display of greed and stupidity I have ever witnessed in my life.

I will never celebrate that holiday ever again.

Video shows Nick was standing up as the man dived across the boy’s seat to grab the ball at Nick’s feet. The man’s leg strikes the boy, and the boy is jostled a second time as the man stands up with the ball and appears to exchange words with the mother.

Nick wasn’t hurt, but fan outrage mushroomed, and even Rangers announcer Tom Grieve voiced his disapproval on TV, calling the man “the biggest jerk in this park.” The man and a woman with him left before the game was over.

Meanwhile, the Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals quickly made sure Nick got souvenirs of his own — two bats and four baseballs, including one signed by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, a former Ranger.

Cardinals outfielder Reggie Sanders came out between innings to give Nick a bat and ball. “In my heart, I thought I should do something,” said Sanders. “It’s all about the kids.”

The man who took the foul ball has not responded publicly to the criticism, but The Dallas Morning News identified him as Matt Starr, a married, 28-year-old landscaper and former youth minister.

Starr is “not the bad guy he’s been made out to be,” said Rick DuBose, senior pastor of the Sachse Assembly of God Church. “He probably got a little aggressive and did something he regrets. But that’s not Matt. He’s a good kid, a good young man.”

On “Good Morning America,” host Charles Gibson gave the O’Briens more souvenirs Wednesday — this time from the New York Mets. The family got tickets to Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Indians.

“Wow,” Nick responded


Honest to Pete, I saw this on TV this morning and had trouble believing my eyes. I just keep wondering how this guy could sit there ignoring the taunts of the crowd, apparently firm in his conviction that he had done nothing wrong. What possible pleasure is he ever going to get from that ball, knowing he won it by being bigger than a 4 year old? Has the world gone nuts?

 

[goofy4tink]

Even my 10 y/o dd commented on this one. She said it was the same as the lady that shoved in front of her at WDW, on Main St. to grab something a CM was handing her(dd, not the lady!!). Dd said..."Well, I guess he needed that ball a whole lot more than the boy did." I say that's probably why he's a 'former' youth minister. Found out he doesn't like kids!!!

 

[spagheddie]

I just took my soon to be 2 yr old DS to his first Phillies game and told him that if a ball came near us it's every man for himself. I been going to games too darn long to not have caught a foul ball and if one came near me, well I'll do anything that it takes. If he happens to get a little roughed up so be it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Originally posted by spagheddie
I just took my soon to be 2 yr old DS to his first Phillies game and told him that if a ball came near us it's every man for himself. I been going to games too darn long to not have caught a foul ball and if one came near me, well I'll do anything that it takes. If he happens to get a little roughed up so be it.

Don't mean to be argumentative here, but you should better hope you don't have to 'get past' either my dh or ds on your way to that ball!!!! Manners rule, not being roughed up by adults. Nice things to teach your child!!! The end does not justify the means! It's no wonder kids sports has become what it has.

 

[m&m's mom]

I think (hope, he was not serious!
Now if we are talking about the Thanksgiving sale at Wal-Mart - well, that's a differnet story!
j/k