The kid who lost his home run ball to the so called Phillies Karen has now spoken out and his words show how upsetting the moment was. It all started at Friday night’s game in Florida between the Phillies and the Marlins when Harrison Bader hit one into the stands.
A dad grabbed the ball and gave it to his son before a woman stormed in and demanded it. She yelled at the father until he pulled it back out of his son’s glove and handed it over.
The woman was booed loudly by the fans around her and word of the stunt spread fast online. Many compared it to a recent case at the US Open when a child had a hat taken from him by an adult.
The dad, Drew Feltwell, told local news that this was meant to be part of his son Lincoln’s 10th birthday week. He said: “We’re just trying to make this week about him. I felt like super dad putting that ball in his glove and giving him a hug.” He said the woman shouted “that’s my ball” and he was still in disbelief she came down demanding it like that.
Feltwell said he gave it up because he wanted to show his son how to de escalate things. He explained: “Just trying to set an example of how to de-escalate a situation in front of my son, I guess.” He admitted he regrets it now, saying: “Putting the ball in his glove and then taking it back out killed me.”
The stadium staff and players tried to make it right. Marlins staff gave Lincoln a bag of team gear and later on Harrison Bader came to meet him and handed him a signed bat. Lincoln said: “I wasn’t very happy that we had to give it to her, but we can’t win. She was going to get it anyways.” He added that meeting Bader was fun and gave him something to smile about after such a letdown.
Feltwell ended by saying he would respect the woman if she stepped up and gave the ball back. He added: “I hope that ball means a lot to her.”
