Philadelphia fans voiced their disapproval of notorious baseball collector Zack Hample at the recent MLB All-Star Game, booing him as he added two more balls to his extensive collection. Hample, who claims to have amassed over 13,000 foul balls and home runs from MLB parks, was seen being showered with boos after making a catch in the fifth inning of the American League's 4-0 victory.
One fan was observed getting out of his seat to boo directly at Hample, offering a performative 'thumbs down.' The incident occurred at Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies faithful were noted for booing a wide range of rivals, from All-Stars to mascots.
Hample, an author and YouTuber, has faced criticism for his methods for years. Online commentary on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) frequently targets his ball-hawking pursuits, with one user stating, 'People paying good money to have this lunatic climb over them for a foul ball.' Despite the criticism, Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports has referred to Hample as 'one of the great misunderstood geniuses of our generation.' Hample has consistently denied pushing past others for balls, though he has admitted to reaching in front of people when younger. He asserts that he no longer engages in such behavior. He has also faced accusations of fan interference, including an incident in 2025 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. During a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels, Hample reached over the outfield wall to catch a fly ball hit by Kyren Paris, which was ruled a home run. While umpires reviewed the play via video, they did not find sufficient evidence of fan interference to overturn the call, and the Rays lost the game 4-3.
Hample has gained recognition for his ball-catching prowess, appearing on NBC's 'The Tonight Show' and writing books on the subject. In 2013, he famously caught two home runs in a single game. Two years later, he secured Alex Rodriguez's 3,000th hit, a home run.
Regarding Rodriguez's 3,000th hit, Hample initially kept the ball despite pleas from the Yankees organization. He told reporters at the time that his intention was not to give it back, contrasting his stance with the fan who returned Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit. Hample stated that players like Rodriguez, having earned substantial wealth, did not need a favor from a fan. He considered returning the ball if the Yankees made a suitable offer, specifically for items related to his baseball collection. Ultimately, Hample gifted the ball to Rodriguez, and the Yankees donated $150,000 to the charity Pitch In For Baseball, which Hample supports.
