Big Bash fans will need to be on their toes early if they want to take home a unique souvenir from this season’s game, with the league introducing the ‘Keep the Ball’ initiative.

Inspired by Major League Baseball, where fans can keep balls hit into the stands, any ball that is hit or bounces into the crowd in the first over of each inning can be kept by whoever manages to pouch it.

The league will use sponsored Westpac balls for the first over of each innings, with umpires to carry spare balls out to the field to ensure game time is not lost.

A new ball is to be introduced at the start of the second over, which will remain in play for the rest of each innings to ensure consistency.

Big Bash boss Alistair Dobson said he hoped the scheme could help drive a deeper connection with fans and

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