Fan Appreciation Weekly: Zach

I decided. Since Fridays are usually slow and it's still the offseason, I thought I'd start paying tribute to some of the greatest, most hardcore fans in all of sport. It will kind of be like 'My Wish' on ESPN. I made my case for Husker fan/computer hacker James W. Conradt yesterday who remains a fugitive and still has Texas and Oklahoma in a state of emergency. I made my case for White Owl.

Today, I'm making a case for Phillie's fan Zach Hample. Although it's unlikely Zach could read a computer screen much less write fake articles like James and bang 22 year old college chicks like White Owl, it still doesn't mean he can't show his spirit and love for sport other ways. Zach is a Phillies fan and not only does he claim to have thousands of foul balls, he claims to have caught one in 454 consecutive games. Zach also claims that he can say 'toss me the ball' in 27 different languages.

"Now what's going to happen when the foul ball comes our way. What are you going to do?" - CBS reporter Steve Hartman.

"I'm going to knock over the camera. Elbow you in jaw. Jump up and start running like hell." - Zach.

This is 5 minutes of MUST SEE TV. MUST SEE TV.



If I ever go to a Phillies game, I am not sitting within 3 sections of this guy. I'd be buying 100 beers because the minute I sat down he would be diving into me for a foul ball. Did you see him tackle that old guy when trying to catch a batting practice ball? Right after that he says, "Yeah. Great. Way to use your elbows sir."

It doesn't mean that I'm not adding this kid to my growing list of fans I have to meet before I die. I'm just saying I won't sit anywhere near him. I just want to meet him, briefly.

"I wrote a book about getting balls." - Zach.

Fan Appreciation Day: Katy and Nikki

Since football season is rapidly approaching, I figured I better get going on the Fan Appreciation Weekly so it's now called Day instead of Weekly. If you'll recall we have White Owl, James W. Conradt, and Zach Hample who have all graced this list.

It's time to move a little closer to home. Here are two Nebraska fans from a bar called Fat Face Fenner's in Hermosa Beach, CA. It's kind of ironic because when I and a few friends were at that bar during the USC - Nebraska weekend, not only do I not remember a minute of it, but I'm pretty sure we can't go back - ever. At least I'll have this video to hold on to.

The producer of this video is aspiring film maker Ike Stranathan (a KU almun) who actually sent DXP this video the week after Nebraska gave up a measly 76 points to Kansas. Although it's been posted on DXP before, it's worthy again. The first girl on the video is Katy. Katy is actually a Nebraska alumn who I specifically remember (from the fraternity days) used to swim laps in our punch bowl during parties. Nonetheless, she's still a true fan and still likes to tip a few (or maybe more) drinks back once in awhile. The second girl is Nikki. The purpose Nikki serves is obvious here. Even if we give up 76 to Kansas, she still can keep our spirits up in her own special way.

(Warning! It's a close NSFW?? There are word and cleavage problems here.)



Bartender! Excuse me, but I am going to need 10 of what she is drinking and an hours worth of those motor boat things.

You know Nebraska fans are great when in California a KU alumn, who is an aspiring producer, decides to shoot a movie about you DURING a KU game. If you are embarrassed by the actions of these young ladies, don't be.

Just remind yourself you could always be a Missouri Tiger football fan...



Someone call security please.