Brighten Your Day

Boy Gives Up His Only Foul Ball So A Grandmother Can Finally Have Her First

September 15, 2025

For her 80th birthday, Donna Morey got a gift she’ll never forget—thanks to the kindness of a 9-year-old boy she had never met.

Credit: James Pennings

On September 10th, Morey was celebrating at a Phillies vs. Mets game with her family. Sitting near the third baseline, she had one wish: to finally bring home a foul ball after years of attending games.

That chance came in the fifth inning when young Phillies fan Jameson Pennings caught his very first game ball. He proudly tossed it back and forth with his dad, inspecting the scuffs like a prized treasure. But before the night ended, Jameson decided someone else needed it more.

Morey recalled how it happened: “I was really absolutely amazed because he overheard my daughter talk to the ball girl about next foul would she consider giving it to me for my birthday. All of a sudden, this boy says to his dad, ‘I want to give that lady my ball,’ and his father says, ‘Are you sure about this,’ and the little boy looked at the ball in his glove and says yeah. They got up from their seat, came right over to me and handed me the ball.”

It was a moment his dad captured beautifully in a heartfelt Facebook post:

“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. Jameson then learned she was hoping for a ball for her Mother who was in attendance and was celebrating her 80th birthday. With the game almost over Jameson put his head in his knees briefly, stood up and gave the ball to the Birthday Girl. After the game she came down, asked him to sign it and took pictures with him. We found out she had been attending Phillies games for quite some time and had never gotten a game ball. Sorry proud Dad moment!! Thank you Ball Girl Emily for seeing this and giving him the next/last ball that came your way!”

The touching gesture left Morey overwhelmed.

“I was just blessed to be at this one with him, really, I think it was meant to be,” she said.

And in a storybook ending, Jameson didn’t leave empty-handed—he received another foul ball in the final inning, courtesy of the Phillies’ ball girl, making the night unforgettable for both families.

His parents, Eve and James, say they couldn’t be prouder of their son’s decision to give up something so special.

“Me being his mom makes me kind of emotional because, oh my God, we’re doing something right and everybody saw it,” Eve said.

What started as an ordinary ballgame became a once-in-a-lifetime memory, proving that sometimes the best plays happen off the field.