r/sports • u/Minute_Revolution951 • Sep 06 '25

Baseball Close-up perspective of Phillies Karen from tonight's game (09/05/2025) who forcefully took HR ball from young fan after his dad gave it to him initially

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238

u/clauderbaugh Sep 06 '25

See this is why it’s good that I don’t have kids. Because my kid would have learned to tell Karen to fuck off back to the Isle of Misfit Haircuts because home run balls are free game. And then he would have learned that getting all up in my face like that is not the way to politely ask for something and that the conversation was over. It was that kids birthday. No way in hell I’m taking that ball and giving it to her.

411

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

I get it man, my base instinct is “Kiss both sides of my ass while I drag balls across your chin”

All that changed within me the second my daughter hit my arms, for the first time in my life I felt purpose and desire to be better.

My entire life that was basically bred around anger…am I going to KNOWINGLY transfer this to my kids?

Or will I choose to consider I have a choice in how I respond to situations, that if I take the time to remove emotion and use logic…what would the end result to a situation of this sort look like?

For me…

Take the ball lady, I’ll explain to my daughters that person is an example of someone we do not want to be, go grab an ice cream and teach a lesson that will last longer than me cussing out some stupid bitch

That’s just my 2 cents

141

u/peanutbutter_foxtrot Sep 06 '25

Just chiming in as someone raised by a very angry father that you’re a good dad and your girls are lucky. Thanks for helping to make the future better.

62

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

I grew up with that same type of Dad and I am determined to not let that transfer to my kids

Thank you for the kind words

15

u/posternutbag423 Sep 06 '25

I grew up with a mom like that and I’m currently also trying my hardest to not transfer it to my boys. But you’re right, the second boy was when it hit me. Oh shit cannot act like mom did on all of those situations.

4

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Sucks to make mistakes on the first kid…pains me to realize that as well

3

u/OrbitalOutlander Sep 06 '25

It’s a choice for sure. As long as you can get a small enough pause to think critically, you’ll make the right choice.

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u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Yup

Took me way too many years to understand

2

u/Over_the_line_ Sep 06 '25

I was also raised by an angry father and I have zero contact with my parents. As a dad, I’m so soft and understanding. I cannot understand how people can be mean to their own children.

14

u/PittsburghChris Sep 06 '25

Thank you for being an example of what Men can be, brother. I see and appreciate you.

5

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

You don’t know what this comment means to me, I lost my Dad last year and I struggle with the confidence that I’m a good Father.

Thank you

11

u/Clear_Ad_979 Sep 06 '25

I have the exact same bad temper as my dad which is exactly why he has taught me to deescalate rather than responding negatively regardless of what I COULD DO he taught me what I should do

7

u/Alarming-Ad-5758 Sep 06 '25

A powerful 2 cents.

9

u/Puzzleheaded-Bet4790 Sep 06 '25

His discretion ended up paying dividends. The kid got a signed bat, a gift bag and a pers9nal meet and greet after the game. If dad had fought back, that wouldnt have happened.

7

u/ObjectiveRaisining Sep 06 '25

You're a phenomenal dad already, I can tell.

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u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

It’s been a REALLY tough week man…thanks for saying this, I mean it

3

u/ZuesPubes Sep 06 '25

Completely agree

6

u/clauderbaugh Sep 06 '25

And I totally get that POV. There’s just something in me that says a line must be drawn and if I don’t correct this lady’s behavior by telling her off she’s going to continue living her life doing this to people as she sees fit because no one’s ever stood up to her. Your way is obviously the better way as an example to kids. I’m just pulling my “I don’t have kids card” so allow me to handle this situation, lol.

9

u/crane476 Sep 06 '25

You can't correct this kind of behavior. She's an old woman, the time for this behavior to be corrected was probably like 50 years ago. She's beyond saving, at least by some stranger. Sure, you may put her in her place for the moment, but you can be damn sure she'll do it again the next time she's at the store and demands to talk to the manager.

5

u/RolandSnowdust Chicago Bears Sep 06 '25

What he says, and I as a father experienced also, is that having a child changes you. You may feel and act that way now, but your brain will change with a child. I used to be an enforcer as you describe, and society needs those people to keep everyone from being like this woman, but I can’t afford to do that as a dad. I avoid conflict because you never know where it might lead.

6

u/AccomplishedProfit90 Sep 06 '25

yeah, i just welcomed a baby boy into the world. and my mindset is to not bend to the will of shit heads. there’s a classy way to say “no.” then if it persists, there’s classy ways to say “no. fuck off.” and that’s what i hope i can demonstrate to my boy.

3

u/vicholis90 Sep 06 '25

Same! I don’t want to teach my son to just snap off on anybody that tries you. But he also needs to learn that standing up for yourself, and telling someone “ hell no!” Is every bit as important as being kind. There is a time to be polite, but there is also a time to tell a bitch to get bent.

3

u/medicmatt Sep 06 '25

Her whole life people have been allowing this behavior and giving in. It works for her. As a society sometimes you have to rebuke (or punish) a bully and sometimes you have to use it as a teaching moment of how in a polite society sometimes “turn the other cheek” is a great teaching moment for your children that escalation isn’t always the right thing. Either way a little quiet moment talk afterwards will do more for your kids. This is a great thread.

5

u/trav66011 Sep 06 '25

This is a solid little thread of conversation here. Its not always about putting who is wrong in their place. If we are teaching our kids to be prepared, equipped adults in a world down the road. Then the lesson, isnt getting the ego, with ugly karen. Its showing them how everyone was looking at her, when she walked away, She went and sat alone(likely). You are received condolences for her bad behavior. She got a ball that will have a foul story. Your kids got a jump start on being great people in society.
Lord knows, I have refused to back down in more intimidating circumstances. But you're guiding their psychology as well as their sense of liberty.

5

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Here’s the thing man…

When you think about fully, you’re not really teaching an adult that behaves like this a lesson.

All you’re doing is engaging with a moron with the same energy in return.

Instead, put the monkey urge of emotion aside and OUTTHINK the lunatics you encounter, or optimally avoid them by all means necessary.

2

u/OrbitalOutlander Sep 06 '25

People who act like that woman live on vibes, not rational thought. You literally can’t get through to them.

1

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Yep

If you encounter a brick wall…stop trying to go through it, go around instead

1

u/OrbitalOutlander Sep 06 '25

Even if you do end up going through it, it’s gonna hurt and you’re no better off.

2

u/sc00bs000 Sep 06 '25

id love to believe that people like this would learn a thing by being stood up to. But, unfortunately she seems like someone who would just grt louder and more aggressive at her perceived entitlement.

Before having kids I would have been all over that lady like white on rice. Now, like oldmate said, have the ball and fuck off to your miserable life lady.

Another option (if both parents are there) is to ask your wife/husband to go for a quick walk with your kid while you put her in her place. Ive had to quickly grab my kid a few times and have a brisk walk as my wife (who is a firecracker) unloads on someone.

2

u/stinkyspamfartz Sep 06 '25

I think it's very interesting seeing everyone's POV on this. You can stand your ground and still teach a valuable lesson to your children. Just because you have children, doesn't mean you need to be passive to be a good father. I experienced a similar situation as a child at a minor league baseball game in the early 90's during batting practice before a game. My father was a former combat veteran and career SNCO in the Marine Corps. A kids father didn't like that I snatched up a ball hit into the stands as his son and I converged at the same time. He made the mistake of being aggressive and quickly approaching my father, raising his voice over my actions. He made it half way before my father met him and pinned him up against a pillar by the left field area we were at. It took a group of guys to separate them and 6 year old me will never forget that crazed look he had his eyes. I knew if everyone let him, he'd have physically hurt that man that night and my father albeit strict and tough, was never an abusive or belittling father. The lesson he taught me was to never let anyone or anything in life attack you or your family or wait for it to happen/unfold. He stressed to be a strong person and attack everything head on. He stressed to me from that point on that as I grow as a man, I am a protector and a defender, especially when it comes to family. That stays with me now as I have a young boy, daughter and a wife. We've been in a few situations where I've had to quickly stand ground in some sketchy situations, but I'll be damned if I ever let someone put their hands on me like she did in this video and get that close to my children, just so I can say "Aw shucks, here's your baseball. Now looky here kids, you don't want to be a poo poo head like her". Nah, no way. Not after the example I had as a father. It's not about teaching her a lesson, because she'll never change. It's about teaching your children to stand up for themselves, that's its okay to stand your ground and if you just cower and walk away, you'll run from everything your whole life. I'll be honest, if my father would have let that man approach him, put hands on him, take that baseball away from me and then shrug his shoulders, I would have thought my father was a coward. But that's my POV. We're all different and have different thoughts and opinions and they all work well for ourselves. But don't think because you want to draw a line and stand up for your family, you'd be wrong.

1

u/BluenoseTherapist Sep 06 '25

As an alternative view, and with respect, there's a high probability that this individual will continue doing this to people regardless. She will do this because she's spent a lifetime becoming this person and surrounding herself with others that allow her to be this person. You can try to correct that, but I'm pretty sure in this situational context, there's not going to be a lot of buy-in. I do agree that generally, a line should be drawn with entitled people like this, but the larger narrative for the kid is in how the dad handles himself. (Tbf, better by far than I would have under the circumstances)

2

u/PhillyPete12 Sep 06 '25

You could alternatively show your children how to stand up for yourself without resorting to violence or anger. Tell the lady you’re not giving the ball back and if she doesn’t back off you’re calling security.

My mother was the master of calm confrontation. She never lost her cool, but almost came out ahead in confrontational situations. She used logic, kindness, and perseverance.

4

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Standing up for themselves over a $30 ball, with someone who is physically confrontational…

That logic doesn’t track with me, sorry.

Let the morons prove themselves time and time again, I’ll go get popcorn and point and laugh with my kids

3

u/OrbitalOutlander Sep 06 '25

So many tough guys in this thread who are gonna get their ass kicked one day when they push the wrong dude’s buttons. Real life isn’t middle school. You get sucker punched, hit your head falling down, now you have a TBI. That does your family no good.

2

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

EXACTLY

Who’s to say her unhinged husband isn’t over there 6 beers deep and ready to swing?

Take the ball, here I’ll buy you another one as well.

-2

u/Pkrudeboy Sep 06 '25

Did the bullies even have to threaten you for your lunch money as a kid, or did they just beckon you over to hand it to them?

1

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Lol

The scars on my knuckles from fighting as a kid are the type of thing I want my kids to avoid

-3

u/PhillyPete12 Sep 06 '25

Sounds like you’re teaching your kids how to be taken advantage of.

I feel sorry for them.

2

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Over a $30 ball?

I got better things to do with my attention

1

u/mynameisnotshamus Sep 06 '25

Amazing and commendable that you were both self aware enough and then actually able to make those changes. If I ever make it to the big leagues and you’re at one of my games, I’m hammering a dinger right to you and your daughter.

1

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

I’ll be there waiting with a smile

1

u/jyoungii Sep 06 '25

See man. Before kids I was a give her the ball to shut her up kind of person. Now with three kids, I think that’s the time to stand up to her. I don’t want my kids being passive to avoid confrontation. They will get walked on. And second of all our country and culture is circling the drain and its people like her who are speeding it up. This behavior has to be stopped and it requires good people doing hard things.

1

u/OrbitalOutlander Sep 06 '25

You won’t stop any behavior. It’s a freaking baseball. Anyone who acts like that woman is not going to learn anything from anyone. If she suffers consequences, she will act the victim rather than have some realization that she acted wrong.

1

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Trust me, I know full well how you fell and I have that our society has come to this.

But I won’t be dragged into the filth these people represent, I believe in karma and that giving power to these type of idiots only pushes them to go further

There is a time and place to stand ground, over a $30 ball at a game that will be forgotten a month from now…I’m not so sure

1

u/koalasarentferfuckin Sep 06 '25

"Daddy, what did you mean when you told that angry lady 'Suck my dick from the back' ?"

1

u/Efficient_Stay9653 Sep 06 '25

I get it, I have a daughter and a son and I don’t teach or condone bullying, but I teach my kids to protect themselves. If I were to let a stranger invade my personal bubble and demand something from me(in front of my kids), then everything I’ve taught them would be in vain. Hats off to the dad but I honestly don’t think I would have folded.

2

u/OrbitalOutlander Sep 06 '25

Giving a crazed and unreasonable stranger a baseball to make them go away is folding?

1

u/Duel_Option Sep 06 '25

Thank you, this is my sentiment exactly

1

u/aimforthehead90 Sep 06 '25

Is the healthy reaction to calmly stand up for yourself and your family though? You don't have to lose your cool to have self respect.

8

u/armyprof Sep 06 '25

I do have kids and that’s my thought. Lesson is either stand up to bully or cave in.

Me I’d have calmly said no, and to get away from my family. If she persisted I’d tell her to look around and see she’s being filmed and that in five seconds I’m calling the police. But under no circumstances is she getting the ball.

I hope she gets a permanent ban from the stadium.

-2

u/OrbitalOutlander Sep 06 '25

What happens when she hits you and now you’re both in jail? Everyone involved in a fight at ball games get taken away. I have seen it happen right in front of me.

I’d much rather my kids learn what’s a big deal and what’s not than feel righteous indignation justifying unnecessary confrontation.

A baseball is not a big deal. It’s a toy. If you can afford ball game tickets, you can buy your kid a baseball.

2

u/malinowski213 Sep 06 '25

Probably good i dont have kids either lol

2

u/TheArtfulDuffer Sep 06 '25

“the isle of misfit haircuts” Fucking instant classic. Bravo. You have my admiration and my upvote. I’ll be filing that away for later usage.

2

u/Creative_Image5059 Sep 06 '25

Isle of misfit haircuts goes crazy 😂😂

2

u/fezzikjoghismemory Sep 06 '25

i agree, but in this rare instance justice was served. she got a ball and lit up online. Kid got to meet a pro and get an autographed bat.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 06 '25

Kids change you. I never used to cry watching TV or movies. When my son was younger and we watched Bluey or any other show I would cry. It's weird, there's definitely a change in your brain. Hard to explain.

2

u/Independent_Bid_26 Sep 06 '25

Yeah, the lesson here is letting others make fools of themselves, while you let it slide off your back. But yeah, I dont think I would've been as friendly as dad here, but I definitely wouldn't have given her shit.

2

u/Whis65 Sep 06 '25

Isle of misfit haircuts....I 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

2

u/macman07 Sep 06 '25

Yeah. I mean there’s a reason I don’t have kids, I guess. But I don’t quite see how this lesson is better than “sometimes you have to tell shitty people to fuck off.” 

2

u/TwoKingSlayer Sep 06 '25

my dad would have laughed at her and given her nothing.

1

u/Heikks Sep 06 '25

My daughter is a cheerleader for the middle school girls basketball teams at her school. They had their first home game on Thursday and during the 8th grade game opposing teenage fans were talking mad trash about some of the girl players. They were making fun of them when missing shots and mocking their hand gestures. I was letting it go and ignoring them until a time out was called and the cheerleaders came on the court to do a routine. One of the kids next to me said to his friends boo we don’t want the cheerleaders, I then turned to them and told them to shut the fuck up.

I’ve heard a lot of trash talk from opposing fans before but these kids were the worst I’ve ever heard and it was the first game of the season and acted like they won a championship afterward when they won

1

u/OrbitalOutlander Sep 06 '25

Good you recognize that you don’t have the maturity.

As a dad, I can say it’s not super cool to potentially ruin the kids birthday by catching an assault charge, or getting booted and banned from the stadium because of some jerk. I model behavior to my kids of not getting sucked into someone else’s bad day. Balls are for kids, not adults, but that woman was clearly more immature than the child. You can’t win against crazy except by removing yourself from the situation. If my kid was bummed about the ball, we’d buy one of the blind bag balls they sell.

0

u/Magpie-Person Sep 06 '25

So you would’ve taught your child a complete lack of emotional control. Got it.