In Fallas' Notes column today, we see a change in policy within the organization:
If you can catch it, it's yours.
The Astros no longer will require that fans return bats that enter the seating area, a seemingly frequent happening this season.
Outfielder Hunter Pence had one of his bats land behind the visitors dugout Tuesday, and security personnel, who were just doing their job, were booed mercilessly by fans as they retrieved the bat. Players like to keep bats they use during games.
The memo to players came the next day.
However, if you return a bat the mezzanine level, you will receive a mango sno-cone.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
