The sad state of the society at large takes yet another hit as the family of a 12 year old girl who was lucky enough to catch Philadelphia Phillies First Baseman, Ryan Howards 200th career home run ball, sued to have the ball returned to them. This, nearly three months after the home run was hit and on that day, young Jennifer Valdivia was escorted to the Phillies clubhouse where the home run ball was exchanged for a ball, autographed by Howard.
I have a few problems with this:
- Where were Jennifers mother and/or father on that day to decide not to trade the ball back, which they would have been well within their rights to do. I have a very hard time believing a 12 year old girl was escorted to the clubhouse without a parent being present.
- The illusion of some massive payday from an eBay auction or the like. We’re not talking about a Hank Aaron record breaking home run ball or anything similar.
- Most importantly, its extremely disappointing to see a parent or parents willing to teach their child that it’s ok not to take responsibility for your decisions or actions.
Bottom line, if you didn’t want to give the ball back, you shouldn’t have. Now, you come off as greedy and money hungry. If, by chance, that isn’t your intentions, it doesn’t change the impression you’ve given people.
