After fans Ambar Roman and Alexis Valenzuela celebrated Roman’s grab of P/DH Shohei Ohtani’s first home run as a Dodger on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, the young couple was “immediately surrounded by security guards and escorted underneath the stands,” where Roman was convinced to give up the ball, according to Bill Plaschke of the L.A. TIMES. Valenzuela said, “It started out so good. Then it ended in a hustle.” Roman was “persuaded to surrender the potentially lucrative piece of memorabilia” for an autographed bat, an autographed ball and two autographed caps. Roman said that she was told if she wanted to keep the ball -- potentially worth six-figures -- the Dodgers “would not authenticate it, and the ball would be worthless.” Roman said that she was told she had to “negotiate the exchange on the spot,” without input from her husband, who was asked to remain at the other end of a hallway. The couple said that their evening ended with the Dodgers “failing to escort them to their car as promised.” With so many fans hanging around staring at them with new souvenirs in tow, they felt compelled to “shed their Dodgers gear so they could anonymously leave Chavez Ravine in peace.” Roman said the Dodgers “shouldn’t have been so pressuring.” The Dodgers would not comment on the specifics of the couple’s account, but the team reconnected with Roman and arranged for the couple to return for another game during which they will receive more valuable authenticated memorabilia. The Dodgers also said that they are “going to review their procedures involving fans who catch milestone balls” (L.A. TIMES, 4/5).
TRYING TO MAKE IT RIGHT: In N.Y., Ryan Glasspiegel noted the Athletic reported Friday that the team has “attempted to smooth things over” by offering Roman and her husband club seats and “an on-field experience” on her birthday next Friday when the Dodgers host the Padres. Roman: “I for sure appreciate them reaching out to me. ... I appreciate that I’m going to get to meet everyone. Not just [Ohtani]” (N.Y. POST, 4/5).
