SOMEWHERE IN FENWAY PARK — Zack Hample is certain. After all, he is the best. No doubt about that. On a Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park, the cloudy remnants of a mid-June thunderstorm gliding past the Citgo sign, Hample will catch his 6,000th career baseball. Guaranteed.

The tally includes foul balls and home runs caught during games and batting practice, but most come via “toss-ups” from players. Only Major League Baseball games count. Hawking at minor league stadiums is too easy. He never interferes with a child.