Is Mailbox Baseball a Felony or Federal Offense in KY and IN?

I Wasn't Much of a Prankster, Except...

Growing up, I was never really into pranks. My senior class didn’t pull anything wild, like stealing the principal’s car and somehow getting it on the roof of the school, or anything out of a teen movie. Honestly, the worst thing I’ve probably ever done was leave a little “kitty surprise” under the handle of my best friend’s cheating boyfriend’s car. (Justice served.)

Classic Mailbox Baseball

One prank that’s been around forever is the classic mailbox baseball. You’ve probably seen it in movies: delinquents hanging out the side of a moving car, swinging a bat, and smashing mailboxes like it’s a sport. It shows up in Stand by Me, The Benchwarmers, and a few other films that treat it like a teenage rite of passage.

*Just a warning - there's some bad language in these clips.*

But, police are warning bored teenagers (and immature adults) that not only is Mailbox Baseball not okay, but you will face some pretty serious consequences if you do it and are caught.

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Is Mailbox Baseball a Misdemeanor or a Felony?

Oak Grove Police Dept in Oak Grove, KY, posted this to Facebook:

In the past 24 hours, we have observed an increase in incidents involving damaged mailboxes and the removal or destruction of mail. It is important to note that tampering with mail is not only a federal offense but also classified as a felony under Kentucky law (KRS 514.140).

We are requesting the community's assistance in reporting any suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Please be aware that individuals found in violation of this law will face legal consequences.

USPS does offer a service called “Informed Delivery”. This is a great way to keep track of mail planned for delivery to your home. This service will help you get ahead of mail theft by keeping you aware of what should be in your box.
https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm

For any concerns or reports, our dispatcher is available at 270-439-4602.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our community safe.

Under Indiana Code Title 35 § 35-43-1-2, damaging someone’s property, like, say, obliterating a mailbox, is called criminal mischief, and it's at least a Class B misdemeanor.

Mailbox Baseball is a Federal Offense

The United States Postal Service warned on its website that those responsible could face some serious jail time. "Those who are convicted of destruction of federal property could spend up to three years in jail and be fined up to $250,000."

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The Bottom Line

I get it; most people who’ve played mailbox baseball or stuck firecrackers in a mailbox probably didn’t read up on the legal consequences first. But, parents, it’s on us to have those talks with our kids before they make those dumb decisions. Peer pressure is real, and even the smartest teens can get caught up and do something reckless if their “friends” promise it’ll be the time of their lives.