I never knew the Reds gave out "Honorary Contracts" for catching foul balls, but perhaps that's because I never caught one. As many games as I went to at Crosley Field, I never, ever, even came close to shagging one. Below is what Randy taught me today, and his story: "I lived in Crescent Springs for a couple of years growing up. My dad used to take me to the Reds games at Crosley and Riverfront. On June 19, 1970, my dad caught a foul ball several rows up from the third base dugout hit by Maury Wills. Immediately after catching the ball, an usher came down and took my name and address (my dad told him I caught the ball). A few weeks later, I received an Honorary Contract for the Reds complete with my name, date and signed by then General Manager Bob Howsam. I guess they must have given them out to everyone who caught a foul ball in those days. I still have the ball and certificate which I treasure and will hand down to my son. My dad said that it was advertised back then that the Reds would give you the certificate for a caught ball. That's the kicker. It had to be caught on the fly. If it hit the stands, or was dropped, then you weren't eligible for the certificate. He said that many of his friends used to go to the games just to try and get a caught ball and the certificate. Nobody else he knew ever got one, so I guess they were somewhat rare. I guess I feel lucky to have it even though I didn't actually catch it. I still remember it like yesterday. I used to always take my mit to the games because at the time I played Little League. When that foul ball was hit, it went straight up, way up there. I saw it coming down and covered my head. My dad was seated to my left and was eating popcorn at the time and palmed it with his right hand right over my head. I remember others around us clapping and he handed me the ball when the usher came down. I'm sure his hand hurt like hell but he never said anything. " Randy, Temecula, California Click on Certificate to Zoom!