A heartwarming moment unfolded during a Philadelphia Phillies versus New York Mets game on September 10, 2025, when a nine-year-old boy named Jameson Pennings selflessly gave away his first foul ball to a grandmother celebrating her 80th birthday. The touching act took place at Citizens Bank Park, where Donna Morey was attending the game with her family.
Morey had long wished to catch a foul ball after years of watching her favorite team play. As the game progressed, her hope was ignited when young Jameson caught a foul ball in the fifth inning. He delightedly tossed it back and forth with his father, sharing in the excitement of his first game ball, until he overheard a conversation nearby.
Morey’s daughter had been speaking to the ball girl about the possibility of receiving a foul ball for her mother’s milestone birthday. Jameson, upon hearing this, turned to his father and expressed his desire to give the ball to Morey. His father, initially surprised, encouraged his son to follow through with his generous impulse.
“He looked at the ball in his glove and said, ‘Yeah,’” Morey recalled. “They got up from their seat, came right over to me and handed me the ball.” This moment, captured in a heartfelt Facebook post by Jameson’s father, highlighted a beautiful exchange of kindness at the game.
In the post, Jameson’s father wrote, “We had bought seats next to the ball girl, specifically to get a game ball. I believe it was the top of the 5th and finally little man got a ball… his first game ball! In the bottom of the 9th, a wonderful woman asked if she could squeak through to speak to the ball girl.” The story continued with Jameson’s emotional gift, marking a significant moment not just for Morey but for both families involved.
Overwhelmed by the gesture, Morey expressed her gratitude, stating, “I was just blessed to be at this one with him, really, I think it was meant to be.” The night became even more memorable when, in a delightful turn of events, Jameson received another foul ball in the final inning, courtesy of the Phillies’ ball girl, Emily.
Jameson’s parents, Eve and James Pennings, beamed with pride over their son’s decision. Eve remarked, “Me being his mom makes me kind of emotional because, oh my God, we’re doing something right and everybody saw it.”
This extraordinary act of kindness transformed what began as an ordinary ballgame into a cherished memory for both families. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most significant plays take place off the field.
