At a Philadelphia Phillies game earlier this month, one young fan turned a routine souvenir into a memory that melted hearts across the ballpark.
Nine-year-old Jameson Pennings had his dream come true on September 10th when he snagged a coveted foul ball during the Phillies’ matchup against the New York Mets. Sitting along the third-base line with his parents, James and Eve, Jameson clutched the ball with pure excitement. “He kept asking if that was the exact spot where the bat hit,” his dad recalled.
For many kids, a foul ball is a once-in-a-lifetime keepsake. Jameson’s parents assumed he would treasure it forever. But by the ninth inning, Jameson’s “forever” turned into an unforgettable act of kindness.
Earlier in the game, Jameson had overheard a woman trying to get a ball for her mother, Donna Morey, who was at Citizens Bank Park celebrating her 80th birthday. Realizing how slim her chances were, Jameson made a decision beyond his years.
He walked over and handed Donna his prized foul ball.
“I was stunned,” Donna said. “I couldn’t believe it. I asked him, ‘Why are you giving it to me?’”
Jameson’s answer was simple: “She’s way older, she can’t come to many more games, but I can go to more and get more balls.”
The gesture left Donna emotional. “It symbolizes goodness in this world,” she said, holding the ball tightly.
For Jameson, the joy wasn’t in keeping the souvenir but in giving it away. “I’ll leave feeling really good about myself,” he said with a smile. “So does it really matter that I left without a ball?”
In a sport where foul balls are often fought over, Jameson’s selfless moment stood out as a reminder that kindness is the greatest win of all.
