Birthday Surprise!

The tickets were bought weeks in advance, the arrangements made with family and it was all kept from Allen - until hours before when due to logistics and work he had to be told to meet us at Dodger Stadium. I was disappointed that we were unable to keep his birthday celebration a surprise, but then fate worked it's magic. On a soda run with Chelsea, a ball popped over the wall, whizzed by Allen's head and bounced at his feet. It didn't go unnoticed by another fan, but Allen was closer and scooped up the ball, without spilling his tray of drinks! (A fact that he is extremely proud of.) But this wasn't just any ordinary ball. It was a first major league home run for the Washington Nationals pitcher John Lannan. When Allen popped up with the ball some Dodger fans yelled, "Throw it back!" But Allen was thinking, no way. After returning to his seat, there was a lot of excitement over him getting his first major league ball, especially for his birthday. He mentioned he should probably contact the pitcher or send him the ball. But that wasn't necessary, a representative from the Dodgers tracked him down and said the Nationals wanted the ball. Always the negotiator he asked if he could get a ball from the Dodgers in exchange. That's when the attorneys stepped in, Chris sited a property law class where he had studied a case involving a Barry Bonds ball and Dustin was there to back him up. That poor guy knew he was in for it then. He promised Allen a ball with three of the current Dodger all stars signatures on it.