Most Awesome Ball Girl/Boy Moments in History

Ball boys and ball girls are the unsung heroes of sports.

Protecting bullpen catchers, making a young fan's day or even just making sure the game runs smoothly—these selfless souls are an imperative part of sports.

These are not just plays—these are instances of awesomeness. A ball person makes a big play, or gets a girl’s phone number, or just generally acts like a stud.

Let’s look at a few moments that these young ambassadors of sport are not soon to forget.

I was going to give a dishonorable mention to a kid who mistakenly fielded a fair ball, but you know what, I think he’s suffered enough.

Brewers Diving Stop

I love that this Milwaukee Brewers ball boy is wearing what look to be basketball shorts.

That’s so Midwest, Milwaukee.

The good news is, you don’t need to wear baseball pants to make diving grabs down the line. 

Tennis Hustle

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

This play might not look ultra awesome on the surface, but it is dedication like this that keeps the competition moving. And we can all appreciate that.

A ball girl at the 2014 U.S. Open shows that just because you’re not competing, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a big play.

And it doesn’t mean you can’t hustle. 

Padres' Lisa

Remember when Brent Musburger talked about how hot—sorry, beautiful—Katherine Webb was on air?

Well this is sort of like that.

Except Musburger is being played by Dick Enberg, and Webb is being played by Lisa, the San Diego Padres ball girl.

Lisa made a sweet grab on a foul ball during a 2012 game against the Texas Rangers.

Enberg was impressed, and the phrase “hubba hubba” was used. 

Enberg's commentary? Not awesome. Lisa's grab? Awesome.

Just Hanging Around

Sometimes ball boys are recognized for making great plays.

Not this guy. No, this guy deserves recognition for just kickin' it with Novak Djokovic during a rain delay at the French Open—like it ain’t no thing.

The crowd dug it. So did I.

Twins Leaping Catch

Good reflexes, good hops—this kid’s got it all.

In a 2013 game against the Minnesota Twins, Alexei Ramirez sliced a foul ball down the left field line.

But the ball boy would not be denied.

He also did it while wearing a polo and khakis—I’m not sure that’s relevant, but it seemed worth noting.

Ball Boy Disses Ronaldo

For some reason, I find this video of a ball boy just fully dissing Cristiano Ronaldo to be awesome.

Atletico Madrid led Ronaldo’s Real Madrid 2-1 when this happened.

The boy was immediately replaced, and the commentators thought he was disgraceful.

Not the most mature, certainly, but something about it still feels sort of great.

Predicting the Future

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

In an August 2014 game against the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost had a decision to make.

Luckily, the bat boy made it for him.

Trailing 1-0 in the ninth inning, the ball boy said something to Yost.

Yost told reporters after the game, "The bat boy who never says anything turns around and says, 'Esky is going to get a hit and Gordo's taking him in the fountain.' I said, 'OK. Sounds like a pretty good plan.'"

Well, turns out the ball boy was right, and the Royals won the game 2-1, walk-off style.

Diving into the Stands

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

This Miami Marlins ball boy thinks he’s Derek Jeter.

He snared a Ruben Tejada foul ball during a 2014 game against the New York Mets and had to fall into the stands to do it.

Solid.

Australian Open Catch

As casually as Roger Federer swatted this ball to the sidelines is exactly how not casually the ball boy caught it.

In a semifinal match between Federer and Rafael Nadal, the ball boy stole the show, if only for a moment.

Quick like a cat, that one.

Protecting the Bullpen

J. Meric/Getty Images

A ball boy is basically like a bodyguard.

In 2012, the Oakland Athletics were visiting the Tampa Bay Rays, and Cliff Pennington ripped a foul ball into right field.

Now, Tropicana Field has those unprotected, on-the-field bullpens, so it was good this kid was there.

The bullpen catcher would’ve taken a shot to the back of the head if not for these ball boy heroics.

Ball Boy Gets Digits

Kevin Fennell has some skills. And he’s smooth with the ladies on top of it.

Apparently at a game in 2010, the ball boy for the Oakland Athletics gave several baseballs to the same girl in the stands.

The final ball included a message asking for her phone number, and she must’ve given it to him because they reportedly began texting after that (h/t Deadspin).

Score.

Auburn Speed

My ball boy’s wicked fast!

My ball boy is actually Jake Longenecker, equipment manager for Auburn Tigers football team.

When Aurburn played Arkansas in August 2014, Auburn wide receiver Melvin Ray caught a pass and sprinted up the sidelines for a touchdown.

And who was right with him the whole way but Longenecker, who perhaps was trying to show Gus Malzahn what he can do?

Fearless in Tampa

In a 2013 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay’s ball boy made the play of the game.

In fact, while members of the home team—you know, professional athletes—cowered in fear, the ball boy was the one who stepped up to make a slick grab down the right field line.

When the Rays tried to congratulate him, he just calmly went back to his chair. No big deal.

Red Lightning

Frankie Grizzle-Malgrat, affectionately called “Red Lightning,” is the ball boy for Florida State University’s football team.

Red Lightning is the helping hand that lifts a player after a hard hit, he is the burst of energy that celebrates after a score—Red Lightning is FSU’s biggest fan.

On his future as ball boy, Grizzle-Malgrat told Laken Litman of USA Today:

"

I'm going to do this as long as I can until the good Lord tells me I can’t do it anymore. This is like a dream for me. It’s what I always wanted to do. I always wanted to be a part of a Florida State football team, so this is just a dream.

"

Ball Girl Scores on Serena

In 2012, Serena and Venus Williams played an exhibition match in South Africa.

During a break in the action, the ball girl was able to use Venus’ racket to hit back and forth with Serena for a few minutes.

This would be cool enough in and of itself, but when she got one past the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion—now that was awesome.