Game-time souvenir

On those rare and wonderful occasions during my childhood when my family would attend a Braves game at the old ballpark, we sat so high in the cheap seats that Aaron, Alou and Carty looked the size of ants. So a treasured game ball making a trek to our seats never reached beyond my imagination.

In 222, however, a glove is always on the left hand if a left-handed hitter is at the plate. A couple of seasons ago Michael Bourn and Chipper Jones provided foul balls within my reach.

Most recently (May 3, 2014), it was the Giants' "Kung Fu Panda" who sliced one my way.

Sitting just above the walkway, we greet vendors, fellow fans and others who pass by or come by to say "Hi."

But no guest is more welcomed than an official, mud-rubbed MLB baseball that touches nothing but air from bat to glove.