If it was a record breaking home run ball I could understand it. He would still be a complete ass and deserve a beating in the parking lot, but I could understand it. Publicly stealing a $50 ball from a kid I just don’t understand.
So ethics has a price?
Nope. I just understand people who act like asses for money. I understand what motivates them, just like I understand what motivates most muggers and thieves. I don't like it or agree with it, I just understand it.
Avarice is one of the seven deadly sins. People have done terrible things for love of money or wealth for all of history. Adults acting like spoiled brats for practice balls that you can buy at any Wal-Mart is a relatively new phenomenon. Kids will be kids, adults should not.