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Braves fan catches Lucas Duda's home run in popcorn bucket
If players are given the Gold Glove Award as recognition for their superior defensive skills, perhaps fans should be rewarded with golden buckets of popcorn when they make the highlight reels. That seems to be the most commonly used prop — well, aside from an actual glove — used to make spectacular catches in the stands.
To be perfectly honest, it's also the most visually appealing, especially when the bucket happens to be full and its contents explode from within.
That would be the exact scene that played out on Friday night in Atlanta. As one Braves fan in the right-field bleachers attempted to enjoy his mid-game snack, Lucas Duda of the Mets took aim and launched a mammoth two-run homer right in his direction. It appeared like the fan was still enjoying his last bite as it unfolded, yet without thinking twice he lined himself up and moved his bucket into position to make a fantastic catch.
He even used two hands to steady the bucket.
Strong fundamentals on display at Turner Field! From that fans, that is. The big league club would go on to lose 5-0.
It's almost like an instinctual reaction now. As if fans grew up practicing catching baseballs in popcorn buckets and come prepared for just that scenario. There's never any hesitation to sacrifice the snack, and rarely do we see the fans mess it up.
It's obviously a long way ahead of the fan who tries catching the ball while holding a beer, but could be losing ground to parents who catch the ball while holding a child. We've seen a number of those this season, and with each one the bar seems to be raised. In order to regain its healthy lead, the popcorn-eating fans may have to start going behind the back.
Consider that an unofficial challenge.
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is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
