It all starts with a single phone call, asking if I would like to join my friend Quinn and his family, in two days, to a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game. Without even talking about it with my parents first I instantly reply, “Absolutely,” and rush to my room with extraordinary excitement. Since I haven’t been to a professional baseball game in a couple of years, you would imagine any nine year old boy to be that excited. As soon as I get to my room I start looking for a Brewers cap, some Brewers clothes to wear, and of course my baseball glove. Ever since I was little, I dreamed of the day that I would be the one to catch a foul ball at a baseball game, and in two days it is possible that my dream will come true.
After a night of no sleep, whatsoever, I struggle to get myself up to go to golf class. In golf class we have the opportunity to learn correct golfing skills and to have fun with kids of our age. But truly the best part of it is waking up and golfing at a new golf course every day and slightly just goofing around, too. That kid who goofs around the most is Quinn. As we board the bus to go golfing, Quinn hands me my ticket for the game. The first thing I notice is the seating. On the second level right behind home plate, the best foul ball territory in all of Miller Park.
Quinn said, “It was the best we could get.”
But I replied, “They are perfect.”
Then after we just teed off, Quinn was already trying to figure out what time we will arrive at the game, and if we’ll go see them take batting practice, but all I was worried about was catching that foul ball.

All of a sudden, Quinn says, “So are you looking forward to catching a foul ball,” finally something worth talking about.

I reply, “Of course I’m looking forward to it,” then just then I knew what was going to happen.

“How about a bet,” Quinn blurted out, “loser pays the winner twenty dollars.” I had no choice but to accept. So all the rest of the day, all I could think about was how in the world will I get that foul ball and that twenty dollars.

The next day started off normally like any other day. I get up and my parents have a big breakfast on the stove. My dad’s sausages and hash browns, and my mom’s scrambled eggs. After breakfast I lie on the couch, bored out of my mind. The Brewers game wasn't until 5:10 so I had at least eight or nine hours to spare. So I take a blazing hot shower and get dressed, not knowing that I have all the clothes on that I am going to wear for the game, and a couple minutes pass before I hear some news on Sportscenter.
“If the Brewers pull off a win tonight, they are in the lead of the Central Division,” the announcer says, “and if Ryan Braun can pull off a homer tonight he will be in the top three for most home run hits this season.” After hearing that I realize how important this game really is, for the Brewers and for me. So all I can do is wait for three o’clock for Quinn and his dad to pick me up.
As soon as Quinn and his dad pull into the driveway, I run out without even saying goodbye to my parents. But later while we are on our way to Miller Park we pass all these people that are all dressed up for the game. I would have never thought that there would be so many people packed into the parking lot at Miller Park. But it is all worth it when you step out of your car, and you smell that amazing smell of brats being grilled and meats being smoked. Honestly, Miller Park is probably the best place to tailgate in America. Right away we start marching into the fantastic stadium of Miller Park.
Before we head up to our seats we stop down right by the dugout to try to get some merchandise signed by pro-baseball players. But it looked like their batting practice was already over so unfortunately we were out of luck. But as soon as we were going to head up to our seats, Brewers left fielder, Ryan Braun, came out to take some swings. I ran down in a flash to see if he would be willing to sign a baseball for me, but he just shook his head. But most good baseball players rarely sign baseballs because they see it as distractions to their game. So after we realized Ryan was not going to sign anything we got a couple of snacks and headed up to those second level seats right behind home plate.
The game started off good for the Brewers, but not for me. I had no luck. They came out strong in the bottom of the second and had a 6-0 lead by the fifth, but it looked like I would not be getting that foul ball for a while. So we decided to go to the bathroom, you know, since the game was a blowout. Without even thinking about the possibilities that could happen while we left. It turns out while we were gone a foul ball flew in the air and landed right in my seat. When I got back I didn't believe it but it turns out the guy sitting two seats down from me picked up the foul and started telling me all about what I just missed.
“What, you're telling me that a foul ball landed right here,” pointing to the scuffed up spot on my seat. The man nodded.
“Wow, I am having the worst luck ever today,” I said to my friend Quinn.
“Who knows, maybe it will happen again,” Quinn replied.
So it turns out the whole game was just frustrating trying to get over the fact that I missed the chance to catch that foul ball. Next time I will definitely think twice about leaving to go to the bathroom in the middle of the game. After the Brewers 7-3 win we just wanted to try one more time to see if anybody was down by the dugout and would sign something. And sure enough, Ryan Braun was there. I bolt down the bleachers with a ton of other kids who wanted his autograph and I whip my Sharpie out of my backpack. But it turns out that there were at least twenty-five kids there and I was in the way back of the bunch. So I try to squeeze into the pile but it was no use, so I just start walking up the bleachers with disappointment.
Then I hear this shouting voice behind me saying, “Hey, Kid.” I keep heading up the bleachers without looking back.
“Hey, you walking up there.”
“Yeah,” I say and as I turn around Ryan Braun throws me an autographed baseball. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was almost slow motion when he tossed the ball up to me. I caught it and looked at the ball, and sure enough it was legit. A Ryan Braun autographed baseball.
My dream had came true, except it wasn't a foul ball, it was an autographed baseball instead. So on my way home that night I realized something, that I was looking forward to catching a foul ball, but I ended up getting more than I bargained for.