A 10-year-old Phillies fan got a birthday surprise he didn’t expect when a home run ball meant for him was claimed by a woman who quickly became known online as the “Phillies Karen.”
Lincoln Feltwell’s father, Drew, managed to grab the ball during Friday’s Phillies-Marlins game, hoping to give his son a birthday gift he’d remember.
Instead, the family was caught up in a viral confrontation that has captured attention across the U.S.
Lincoln Shares His Disappointment
“I wasn’t very happy that we had to give it to her, but we can’t win,” Lincoln told NBC 10 Philadelphia. “She was going to get it anyways.”
Despite the disappointment, Lincoln’s day ended on a brighter note.
After the game, he got to meet Harrison Bader, the Phillies player who hit the home run. The MLB star gave Lincoln a bat as a consolation for the lost ball.
“I’m happy I got to get something else. It was very, very fun getting to meet Bader,” Lincoln said.
‘Phillies Karen’ Remains Unidentified
The woman at the center of the incident has remained unidentified, even as social media users scrambled to figure out who she was.
One woman even had to publicly deny being the culprit after a case of mistaken identity flooded her Facebook with angry messages.
Drew Feltwell emphasized that he wanted the situation to de-escalate and didn’t wish any lasting harm on the woman.
“She brought that on herself,” he said. “I don’t want her life ruined, but she brought that on.
She’s going to pay for that, and it is not by hand. I don’t wish any harm on her. Maybe she was in the moment. I’m not going to defend her.”
A Father’s Perspective on De-Escalation
During the heated exchange, Drew said his main priority was setting an example for his son.
“Just trying to set an example of how to de-escalate a situation in front of my son, I guess,” he told NBC 10.
Although Drew ultimately handed the ball over, he admitted feeling conflicted.
“I thought I had accomplished this great thing,” he said. “But she just wouldn’t stop.”
The Viral Moment
The confrontation, captured by FanDuel Sports Network Florida cameras, showed the woman yelling at Drew and flipping off the crowd in Miami.
She insisted the ball belonged to her, while Drew tried to explain that his son had caught it.
Eventually, he gave the baseball to her, despite Lincoln’s disappointment.
Drew reflected on the mix of emotions the night brought: “I felt like super dad putting that ball in his glove and giving him a hug.
Putting the ball in his glove and then taking it back out killed me.”
Community Support and Consolation
Even amid the frustration, the Feltwell family appreciated the kindness of others at the game.
“We ended up having a good night because of good people,” Drew said. The Marlins also provided a gift bag to the family as a gesture of goodwill.
Part of a Larger Trend
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time fan disputes have gone viral in American sports.
Similar incidents have occurred at New York Mets games and at the US Open, where a man famously snatched a tennis pro’s hat that had been intended for a young fan.
The “Phillies Karen” incident serves as a reminder of how quickly small moments at sporting events can capture national attention—and how parents often have to navigate the tricky balance of protecting their kids and keeping their cool.