Dave Niehaus’ son catches foul ball on Father’s Day

The son of late Hall-of-Fame Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus believes it was more than just a strange coincidence he caught a foul ball at the Father’s Day game.

Andy Niehaus told 97.3 KIRO FM’s Dori Monson Show he had just handed his son a blue cotton candy, when he noticed everyone stand up around him.

“I look up and a ball is coming right at my head. So I just reached up and grabbed it and bowed,” Niehaus said.

While he’s probably been to more games than the average Mariners fan and has seats in a foul ball zone, Niehaus said Sunday’s ball was only the second one he’s ever caught.

“The first one was at the Kingdome. This is the first Safeco Field one,” he said.

This is the first year Niehaus’ father, Dave, has not been behind the mic at a Mariners game since 1977, but Andy Niehaus said he definitely felt his dad’s presence at the stadium.

“The ironic thing is, I had visited his grave about an hour earlier before the game, dropped some flowers off, said a few words to dad, and wished him a Happy Father’s Day. He gave me a gift. That’s the way I look at it,” Niehaus said.

He said he’s not really a spiritual man, but he’s noticed a lot of little things happen since his father passed in November.

“I’m changing now,” Niehaus half-jokingly told Monson.