Phillies Fan Pleads for Calm After Home Run Ball Dispute
Drew Feltwell, a devoted Philadelphia Phillies fan, has asked the public to stop harassing a woman involved in a heated confrontation over a home run ball at a recent game.
Tense Moment at LoanDepot Park
The incident happened on September 5 at LoanDepot Park during the Phillies’ matchup against the Miami Marlins. In the fourth inning, Feltwell caught a home run ball hit by Harrison Bader and passed it to his young son. Shortly after, an unknown woman approached them, demanding the ball. To avoid further conflict, Feltwell handed the ball to her and guided her away.
The encounter was captured on video and quickly circulated online, sparking criticism of the woman. Feltwell, however, urged people not to escalate the situation:
“Please don’t take things too far. The internet has already affected her enough,” he said in an interview with USA TODAY Sports.
A Positive Turn for the Young Fan
Despite the tense moment, Feltwell’s son ended up with a happy ending. The Miami Marlins provided him with a goodie bag and a baseball, and he also had the opportunity to meet Harrison Bader, who gifted him a signed bat.
Similar Incident at the US Open
A similar event unfolded recently at the US Open tennis tournament. After Kamil Majchrzak defeated Karen Khachanov, he attempted to give his cap to a young fan. Piotr Szczerek, a Polish executive nearby, took the cap instead and gave it to a woman, despite the boy’s visible disappointment.
Szczerek later apologized on Facebook, explaining:
“I believed the cap was intended for me, specifically for my sons, who had asked for autographs earlier. I now realize it seemed like I took a souvenir from a child, which was never my intention. I sincerely regret disappointing the boy and the fans.”
Majchrzak later met the boy, offered a US Open gift bag, and took photos, ensuring a positive resolution to the situation.