A Cleveland Guardians fan named Maxx Quinn was caught on video attempting to snatch a home run ball from an 11-year-old girl named Evelyn at Progressive Field during the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The incident occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning when Daniel Schneemann launched his fourth homer of the season, a fly ball that landed in the stands. Quinn intervened and took the ball from Evelyn, who was positioned to grab it.

Quinn later appeared on local television and apologized directly to Evelyn, her brother, and her parents for his actions. He acknowledged that the scramble for the home run ball was a poor decision and admitted that several choices made during the aftermath worsened the situation. The video clip of the incident quickly went viral online, drawing significant backlash.

Quinn returned the baseball to Evelyn after the game, though he admitted it did not happen as promptly as it should have. The Guardians team also provided signed baseballs to Evelyn and her brother as a gesture of goodwill following the incident. Evelyn publicly thanked Quinn for returning the ball and stated she had forgiven him. Her family confirmed the baseball was returned by the end of the game.

The incident underscores an unwritten rule at every ballpark in America: if a child is going after a foul ball or home run, adults are expected to step aside and allow the child to have it.