Jebavy Smashes Home Run; Teammates Holding Ball for Ransom
Published on June 30, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
KEIZER, Ore. - During his second at bat as a Salem-Keizer Volcano, Ronnie Jebavy crushed a home run out of left field in Hillsboro on Thursday.
"On my first day out, I just wanted to get a hit out of the way, to put my mind at ease. To have it be a home run felt unbelievable," said Jebavy. "I was praying (the ball) would stay fair, because it looked like it was heading for foul territory."
In the tradition of the sport, it's customary for the hitter to receive his home run ball if it happens to be caught. Jebavy figured someone in the outfield had retrieved it when it was hit; little did he know, his teammates who were warming up in the bullpen at the time, snagged his ball.
Eric Sim, a right-handed reliever from British Columbia, was inspired by the Cleveland Indians ransom list that was written out for teammate Brandon Moss, after Moss hit a homer at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Moss's teammates requested various Apple products for the return of his home run ball.
"I saw that (the Indian's bullpen) had taken a home run ball for ransom and I thought we could do a minor league version of that," said Sim.
A ransom list appeared on Volcanoes social media early Friday morning, as ten of Jebavy's teammates made various requests. Demands range from a chocolate Easter bunny, to beef jerky and string cheese. If the demands are met, Jebavy, a fifth-round draft out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will have his ball returned to him unscathed.
"I'm definitely happy they have it," he said. "I didn't think I'd get it back."
"We don't have a timeline for the demands to be met," said Sim, who has faith in Jebavy. "He'll do it. This is serious. This is happening. Because some items, like the chocolate Easter bunny might be hard to find, there may be some negotiating."
"I'm happy their requests were made at a low price," said Jebavy. "I want to get my ball back, but I have to wait on a paycheck or two first," he added with a laugh.
Northwest League Stories from June 30, 2015
- Jebavy Smashes Home Run; Teammates Holding Ball for Ransom - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
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- Volcanoes Outlast Indians in Wild One - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
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