A Cleveland Guardians fan disregarded an unwritten rule at Progressive Field on Monday, April 27 by taking a home run ball from an 11-year-old girl named Evelyn.
During the bottom of the fifth inning of the Guardians’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Daniel Schneemann hit his fourth homer of the season. The fly ball scored David Fry and put Cleveland ahead 2-0 before landing in the stands where Evelyn was positioned to grab it.
Quinn took the ball from the girl. A video of the incident went viral online, drawing widespread criticism.
In response, Quinn appeared on a local television broadcast to apologize directly to Evelyn, her brother, and her parents. He acknowledged that his scramble for the home run ball was a bad decision and admitted that multiple choices he made afterward worsened the situation.
Quinn confirmed that the baseball was returned to Evelyn, though not as quickly as it should have been. The Cleveland Guardians also provided signed baseballs to Evelyn and her brother following the incident.
Evelyn publicly thanked Quinn for returning the ball and expressed forgiveness. Her mother had previously stated on social media that the ball was returned by the end of the game.
