Wrigley Field Gives Fan Rousing Applause for Snagging Sal Frelick's Bat Stuck in Netting

One of many exciting moments in the Brewers' 8-7 win over the Cubs on Thursday afternoon.
A fan helped out Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick in the top of the sixth by grabbing his bat that was stuck in the netting.
A fan helped out Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick in the top of the sixth by grabbing his bat that was stuck in the netting. / Marquee Sports

A fan came to the rescue Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field when Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick needed some assistance.

In the top of the sixth inning, Frelick swung hard at 1-0 offering from Chicago Cubs righthander Chris Flexen, and his bat soared into the netting behind home plate. A fan, sitting in the front row wearing khaki pants and a polo shirt, didn't waste a moment. He climbed onto the netting and quickly grabbed the bat.

The security team at Wrigley Field didn't like it. After the fan came down with the bat, Wrigley Field security spoke with him and appeared to plan to eject him from the game. But after a few minutes, the fan was allowed back into his seat, receiving a stirring applause from the other 41,077 fans in Chicago.

The fan didn't get to keep the bat, but according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Curt Hogg, Frelick gave him a game-used bat signed with the message, "Nice climb."

The Cubs, who trailed 8-3 at the time of the fan's heroics in the netting, stormed back to make it a one-run game in the eight inning, but fell 8-7. The Cubs and Brewers are now separated by 5.5 games in the NL Central standings.


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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.