That Time An 11-Year-Old Spent The Night In Jail For Keeping A Foul Ball

(This post originally appeared on Inc.)

One of the greatest thrills for any kid (and let’s face it, many adults) is catching a foul ball at a baseball game. Believe it or not, it’s not impossible. Show up at the park early enough for batting practice or beg loud enough to a player warming up before the game, between innings or in the bullpen and there’s a chance you too could get a lucky souvenir to take home.

Unless, you’re Robert Cotter.

The 11-year-old Cotter caught a foul ball one day at a Philadelphia Phillies game and, like any fan, refused to give it back – even when team officials demanded. The consequences were severe. The team had the boy arrested, not only for keeping the property but also after accusing him of sneaking in to the game without paying for his ticket. Cotter was forced to spend an entire night in jail until being freed the next day when a sympathetic judge found that it was “entirely reasonable” that a kid could keep a foul ball at a baseball game. And besides, the judge noted, he made a really good catch.

Before you get outraged, take note: the incident happened at the now demolished Baker Bowl in 1923 and was retold in Bill Bryson’s great book “One Summer: America, 1927” and other books recounting the era. Ever since that incident major league baseball teams have allowed their fans to keep foul balls.

An 11-year-old being put in jail for keeping a foul ball sounds ridiculous today, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, too many businesses still act like the Phillies did back in 1923. They don’t let their customers take home a souvenir of their experience either. And it hurts them in the long run.

I learned this years ago when my young technology service company – which was still in a painful growth stage – had the opportunity to work with a client that could bring in hundreds of hours of much-needed chargeable time. But there was a catch.

The prospective client was still smarting from a bad experience with one of my competitors and asked me if I could rescue their project and carry on providing services.  I told them we were completely capable for the job, but, given their history, my assurances weren’t enough. When asked to kick in a few days of complimentary services on a smaller project with them so that we could prove our abilities I refused. Unfortunately, I lost the job to another firm that was more than willing to demonstrate their worth at no charge to the what would then turn into a long term client for them.

Like the Phillies, I’ve since learned the error of my ways. The cost of a free baseball is peanuts as compared to the happiness it provides to the lucky fans who get a souvenir. The cost of me providing a complimentary service – or your business giving away samples, demos, test products or just free stuff – is also peanuts over the long term. The return is a happy customer who has a good experience with your firm that hopefully continues a long term relationship.

So go ahead. Give a foul ball away, or whatever it is you make. Let your fans experience the joy of working with your company. If you’re good at what you do, they’ll be back for plenty more.