Young fan forced to turn over historic home run ball hit by Phillies star

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) -- A young fan caught a historic home run ball Thursday night at Landshark Stadium, but she was forced to turn it over to a Philadelphia Phillies employee.

Phillies star slugger Ryan Howard put out his 200th career shot against the Florida Marlins. "Ryan Howard hits one real deep and real far."

Jennifer Valdivia was the lucky fan who caught the piece of history. "It was behind my sister's chair so I jumped on my grandpa and sister, and then I got it and everyone was offering me money and everything," she said.

But, shortly after Howard circled the bases, that's when things took a turn. "I met the manager and then he's like, 'Oh, can we have the ball?'" said Valdivia.

The 12-year-old said she was intimated by a Phillies employee to hand over the ball after she was escorted downstairs by security.

She agreed to hand it over when she was promised a signed Howard ball, not the home run ball, and a meet and greet after the game. But, that never happened. "We were supposedly meeting him but instead the Phillies manager gave it to me and that's it."

The big deal behind the ball? Howard hit his 200th homer faster than anyone in major league baseball history.

Jennifer's mom was angry after reading about the record in the paper. "I'm very upset about it because they took her like a fool, just lying to her," said Delfa Vanegas.

When Barry Bonds broke the home run record in August of 2007, there was a legal fight for that ball. A judge ruled in favor of the fan.

Jennifer said she wants what she thinks is rightfully hers, the home run ball. However, the Phillies said this was all a miscommunication. "Apparently, because there is a misunderstanding we want to make sure that the young girl gets to meet Ryan when the club goes back to Florida," said Scott Palmer of Phillies Public Relations.

Valdivia said all she wants is Howard's home run ball. She said she's not upset with the Florida Marlins or the organization. She also said she will go back to a game at the stadium but not if they are playing the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies said they'd be happy to introduce Jennifer to Ryan Howard when they come back to town in September. Jennifer says she'll consider it.

The Phillies have not said if they will actually give back the ball.

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