Minor Leaguer nearly dives over fence for insane home run catch

For a moment there, things were looking great for Steven Vogt. The Triple-A Sacramento River Cats catcher hit a gorgeous shot over the Raley Field fence on Friday -- too bad Las Vegas 51s (as in Area 51: aren't Minor League team names the best?) outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis wasn't in the mood to give up a run.

To snag the ball, Nieuwenhuis leapt halfway over the wall in a movement that could qualify as a new Olympic gymnastics event.

The announcer's reaction is priceless: "And it is gone! Or no, did he catch it? He did catch it!"

It's hard to imagine a more dramatic way to cost someone a homer, short of traveling back in time to tell his third-grade self to forget baseball and try out for the football team instead.

Las Vegas, the Mets' Triple-A farm team, ultimately lost the game 3-0 to the Oakland-affiliated River Cats. Nieuwenhius, who started in three games for the Amazins this season, probably owes Vogt a a beer. Or at least a hug.

-- Molly Fitzpatrick / MLB.com