Borderline theft!

So Computer Boy, Skate Kid and I went to see the hometown Lansing Lugnuts play the dreaded Peoria River Bandits today.

There were two rather lengthy rain delays which between them probably lasted around 2 1/2 hours. It is fun being at the ballpark so we hung around. Most people did not though and for the final 2-3 innings, there were probably less than 100 people in the park.

Anyway, late in this game, a Lugnut batter hits a foul ball out of the stadium and it lands in an untended grassy area on the property of a closed business which could have been an auto repair place. The property is unfenced and the ball sat in a small area of grass about 10-15 feet onto the property just off the public sidewalk.

Because there are so few people in the park and because of where I was sitting, I think I was the only person who saw where this baseball ended up. There is almost no foot traffic on this sidewalk and not likely to be any either as the parking lots are on the other side of the stadium. I do what anybody would do and make a mental note that the boys and I are going to make a detour over there after the game on the way to the car and pick up this ball. I keep an eye on it for a few innings but I am not too worried as again there is very little if any foot traffic on this particular sidewalk.

After a few innings of casually watching this lot, I see SOME GUY WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK! Oh, come on now! Why now?! Maybe he won't see it. He's probably not even a baseball fan! He would be at the game if he was. Right? The grass is kind of long. I give this thing a 50/50 chance as the ball is close enough to catch somebody's eye if they were looking that way but he could easily miss it or not even care.

Well anyway, this guy approaches the lot. Looks over. STOPS! Ugggh! And picks up the ball and walks away.

Give me a break!

Let me tell you something.

TRESPASSING IS NOT A VICTIMLESS CRIME!

On the plus side, Skate Kid did catch a hot dog from the hot dog cannon.*

*As an added bonus, there is a note on the wrapper advising that you can exchange the dog for a fresh one at the concession stand which we did. We are not animals you know.