What are the odds of this? Witt Jr. hits foul ball to Witt Sr.
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Bobby Witt Sr. enjoyed a productive 16-year career as a Major League pitcher, but he never once got to participate in a certain baseball rite of passage: catching a foul ball as a fan in the stands.
That changed Tuesday night, when Witt wound up with a foul ball during the Royals-Rangers game at Globe Life Field. But it was no ordinary snag.
Witt¡¯s first foul ball? It was from his son, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. During the ninth inning Tuesday, Witt Jr. sliced a ball down the first-base line. It bounded into a suite, right to -- who else -- his father.
It was just one special moment in a standout series for Witt Jr., a Colleyville, Texas, native facing the team his father played for from 1986-92 and 1995-98. The Royals shortstop went 6-for-13 in the three-game series, scoring three runs and driving in two more. He stole four bases in the series and made an impressive sliding grab to save a run in extra innings Tuesday night.
Witt Jr.¡¯s performance close to home won¡¯t be forgotten by his family, but they¡¯ll never forget how his foul ball ended up in the hands of his father either. After the game, Witt Jr. wrote the date on the baseball along with a special message: ¡°Hit by Bobby Witt Jr. Caught by Bobby Witt Sr.¡±
The words commemorate an unforgettable moment for father and son.
¡°Just a really cool thing,¡± Witt Jr. said.