“I legitimately cannot believe it’s real”: Wiley Ballard thrashed for picking phone numbers of female fans at the Braves vs Blue Jays game

What was supposed to be a normal fan interaction went on to become another internet scandal. When the Atlanta Braves reporter, Wiley Ballard, was interviewing two female fans, he had no idea that a fun conversation would lead to fans slamming him all over social media.
What happened on the sidelines of the Atlanta Braves vs Toronto Blue Jays match? Why did the ever-so-professional Wiley Ballard become the center of internet hate? We have the tidbits here!
On April 14, 2025, when the Atlanta Braves were facing the Toronto Blue Jays at Toronto’s Rogers Center, the Braves’ broadcast team was playing another game on the sideline. The most professional reporter of the team, Wiley Ballard, was seen interviewing two female fans on the sidelines.
The interview started off as a fun interaction which then took a turn of events when Brandon Gaudin pushed Wiley to get the girls’ numbers.
“Okay, Wiley, you’ve got four innings to get the numbers,” said Gaudin, which seemed like some kind of insider bet.
Ultimately Ballard got their numbers, and it seemed like the end of a fun interaction. However, social media took it to another level. Various fans and reporters started bashing Wiley, stating that it was highly inappropriate.
Katie Feldman, the CBS MLB editor took to X to say,
“This is one of the most insanely inappropriate things I’ve ever seen. Like I legitimately cannot believe it’s real."

Another fan went on to say, “This is so unprofessional. Is this a club or live television of a MLB game. Yikes”

Another user went on to comment, “Incredibly unprofessional and should not be encouraged or celebrated. Imagine the reaction if a woman sideline reporter did this.”
While a majority of the internet baseball fans came out to bash Wiley Ballard, there were tons of supporters as well. The GA Sportscaster of the Year had lots of people coming in to support and defend him on “being unprofessional” comments and described how kind he actually is.
One fan went on to say, “He doesn't have bad-natured bone in his body” referring to how professional Ballard is.

Even Bill Shanks took to X and gave his statement on the scenario, calling Ballard a “fine journalist.”

However, fans still remain torn due to Ballard’s recent act. Though Wiley Ballard is a fine reporter, his recent act raises questions about what is acceptable in the world of journalism and where one should draw boundaries.
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