Making a career out of collecting home run balls in baseball? It sounds ridiculous, but a guy named Zack Hample is living his dream doing that. However, things took a sharp turn for baseball’s “most hated fan” when a viral tweet claimed MLB had officially banned him from all ballparks. Sure, Zack Hample is no stranger to fan backlash—but did MLB really step in this time? As always, it’s wise to take viral rumors with a healthy pinch of salt.
Why? Because the viral tweet has nothing true about it. It’s fabricated!
MLB has not banned Zack Hample from ballparks, despite what those viral social media posts might have you believe. The rumor started with a fake press release riddled with typos, an odd mention of the current MLB-ESPN contract, and an April 24, 2024, release date—plenty of red flags to call its legitimacy into question. Still, it’s easy to get duped when the hoax comes from an X account sporting a blue checkmark and the same profile picture as a popular podcast.
“Talkin’ Baseball” and “Talkin’ Basabell” are a little different. Read the name of that parody account again.
MLB has officially banned notorious ballhawk Zack Hample from attending games for the rest of the season.
(Per @MLB) pic.twitter.com/4LIx2LKCNW
— Talkin’ Basabell (@TalkinBasabell_) April 10, 2025
Zack Hample, long known for stirring up ball-catching controversies, found himself at the center of drama once again during Tuesday’s game between the Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays. In the second inning, umpires reviewed Kyren Paris’ home run to see if Hample had reached over the wall and prevented Rays outfielder Christopher Morel from making the catch. Although the review cleared him of any fan interference, it reignited the ongoing calls from fans demanding that Hample be banned from ballparks.
Collecting the home run balls might be your dream, but disrupting a fielder mid-game for that? Doesn’t feel very respectful, does it? That’s what the infamous ball collector did, crossing the fine line between fandom and going frenzy. But it is unlikely that Hample will be banned by MLB any time soon, no matter what the fans think about him. The 47-year-old knows what it takes to collect more than 12,000 balls, including some historical pieces.
With Hample officially cleared of any interference, you can bet he’ll be back prowling the stands in no time. As for fans hoping MLB will ban him? Well, they’ll have to keep waiting. For now, Hample has only stolen the spotlight from Tuesday’s game, a night that should’ve been all about Kyren Paris.
Kyren Paris: The new star in the town
The Rays may have edged out a 5–4 win, but make no mistake; Kyren Paris stole the show. With two jaw-dropping home runs, Paris lit up the night and showed the baseball world he’s ready for the big stage. It didn’t take much: one 375-foot blast and another late-inning bomb were all he needed to announce his arrival with authority. Not even a brush with controversy, thanks to a dubious assist from Zack Hample, could dim the spotlight on Paris. His second homer in the eighth inning sealed the deal, wiping away any whispers of interference and putting his raw power and precision on full display.
So yes, regardless of the acts by Hample, the Steinbrenner Field witnessed the arrival of a new star in the business.
The 23-year-old has been consistently dominating the scoreboard this season. As of now, he has scored 5 homers in his 12 games this season, second only to the veteran Mike Trout. 4 homers came just from his last 3 games, raising his batting average to a formidable .440. These figures show his growing dominance and potential influence on the team’s success. Yet, will this be enough to lift his team to first in the AL West?
Paris’s breakout performance shows he’s got the tools to be a major force for the team with raw power, sharp technique, and a coolness beyond his years. But one thing’s for sure: Hample won’t be getting his hands on this kind of greatness anytime soon.
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