San Francisco Giants fan catches a home run ball with his bare hand- while holding his baby daughter

A Major League Baseball fan made the catch of his life by snagging a home run ball out of mid-air with his bare hand while holding his baby girl in his other arm on Friday night in San Diego.

The epic catch was caught on camera during a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Padres, on the latter’s home turf in Southern California.

The skillful gloveless grab was made by Chris Rice, sporting a #24 Willie Mays Giants jersey, with his daughter Roya quietly nestled in his left arm the entire time.

Afterward, Chris got yet another surprise during a spontaneous meet and greet with Pablo ‘Kung Fu Panda’ Sandoval, who scored the homer while visiting Petco Park.

San Francisco Giants fan Chris Rice made the catch of his life by snagging a home run ball hit by Pablo Sandoval out of mid-air with his bare hand while holding his baby girl with his other arm (shown) on Friday night in San Diego’s Petco Park as the Giants played the Padres

San Diego outfielder Wil Myers tried to make the catch, but it sailed right over his head and outstretched arm and into the stands. Chris, however, had no problem snagging the ball out of the air and then celebrated with his arm held high, 'fist bumping' the crowd around him who were all quite impressed with the feat

San Diego outfielder Wil Myers tried to make the catch, but it sailed right over his head and outstretched arm and into the stands. Chris, however, had no problem snagging the ball out of the air and then celebrated with his arm held high, ‘fist bumping’ the crowd around him who were all quite impressed with the feat

Afterward, Chris, his wife Neda and their daughter Roya (pictured together) met with the visiting team, including Giants' manager Bruce Bochy and Sandoval himself

Afterward, Chris, his wife Neda and their daughter Roya (pictured together) met with the visiting team, including Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy and Sandoval himself

The high drive to left field was coming right at Chris and his little girl, with his wife Neda standing beside him.

San Diego outfielder Wil Myers tried to make the catch, but it sailed right over his head and outstretched arm and into the stands.

Chris, however, had no problem snagging the ball out of the air and then celebrated with his arm held high, ‘fist bumping’ the crowd around him who were all quite impressed with the feat. 

Afterward, the family met with the visiting team, including Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy and Sandoval himself.

‘Nice work,’ Bochy told Chris, who replied, ‘I appreciate that. Thank you, sir.’

Bochy joked, ‘We’ve got a spot in the outfield for you!’

Bochy joked to Chris: 'We've got a spot in the outfield for you!' as the father held baby Roya

Bochy joked to Chris: ‘We’ve got a spot in the outfield for you!’ as the father held baby Roya

Bochy then asked Neda: ‘Where were you when he caught the ball?’

‘I was right next to him, but I was watching,’ Neda said as she gestured to show she was cowering to avoid potentially getting hit by the ball.

‘So you were protecting everybody?’ Bochy said to Chris. 

‘Yeah,’ Chris said with a chuckle. ‘I feel bad for the guy in front of me that brought his glove.’

‘It just didn’t look like he was gonna get it up in time and so when the ball’s screaming right at you it’s either catch it or knock it out of the way, and not let it hit her,’ he said, gesturing to Roya, who was still snuggled in his arm.

When it came time to talk with Sandoval (back to camera), the MLB star was all smiles while holding Roya. Chris offered him the home run ball but Sandoval said: 'No, that's yours'

When it came time to talk with Sandoval (back to camera), the MLB star was all smiles while holding Roya. Chris offered him the home run ball but Sandoval said: ‘No, that’s yours’

'She really likes you,' Neda could be heard saying from off camera while Roya looked over at Sandoval, after he handed her back to her dad. 'She knows it was your ball'

‘She really likes you,’ Neda could be heard saying from off camera while Roya looked over at Sandoval, after he handed her back to her dad. ‘She knows it was your ball’ 

Sandoval then did one better and signed a bat and gave it to Chris, who was shocked by the gesture. Sandoval (left) is pictured smiling at baby Roya (center), who is being held by Chris

Sandoval then did one better and signed a bat and gave it to Chris, who was shocked by the gesture. Sandoval (left) is pictured smiling at baby Roya (center), who is being held by Chris

When it came time to talk with Sandoval, the MLB star was all smiles while holding Roya. Chris offered him the home run ball but Sandoval said: ‘No, that’s yours.’ 

‘She really likes you,’ Neda could be heard saying from off camera while Roya looked over at Sandoval, after he handed her back to her dad. ‘She knows it was your ball.’ 

Sandoval then did one better and signed a bat and gave it to Chris, who was shocked by the gesture.

‘That is awesome,’ Chris said. ‘That is absolutely awesome.’ 

It was a great night for Chris, Neda, Roya and all Giants fans. The traveling team bested the home team by a score of 2-to-1. 

It was a great night for Chris, Neda, Roya (shown together on the field at Petco Park) and all Giants fans as the traveling team bested the home team by a score of 2-to-1

It was a great night for Chris, Neda, Roya (shown together on the field at Petco Park) and all Giants fans as the traveling team bested the home team by a score of 2-to-1



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