Hypothetical: You catch someone\'s first HR ball
I was watching the Yankee game and Shelly Duncan just hit his first major league home run. It is common practice when someone hits a milestone HR that the team approaches the fan and trades them a 4 pack of tickets and a signed ball (or something like that) in return for the HR ball.
Obviously, the ball has an intrinsic value of $3-$5 to the person who caught it but the ball has a sentimental value of a lot more to the hitter (and therefore it is worthwhile for the team to trade something with little intrinsic value to them: an empty seat or an Arod signed ball, in return for the HR ball). From a negotiator's perspective there is an enormous range for a possible deal to be made.
My question to you is two parts:
1) If you caught Shelly Duncan's home run ball would you try to haggle with the team for more than they offer (ie. would you try to get season tickets or $5,000 for the ball)? Would you be willing to walk away from the deal and keep the ball if the team did not meet your demands?
2) What would make you more inclined to haggle rather than give up the ball? Would you drive a harder bargain if the ball was hit by the opposing team? If the player who hit it was a bonus baby? Would you be more willing to give the ball up if the player sprinted around the bases with a huge smile going from ear to ear (as duncan did)?
|