Major League Baseball

Little Leaguer winds up with Wise ball

Published Jun. 27, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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New York Yankees outfielder Dewayne Wise's fake catch became a lesson in fair play for a 7-year-old fan who went home with the ball.

Little Leaguer Ben Pikor found himself at the center of a Big League storm after he went home with the baseball that was supposed to be in Wise's glove.

After two adults at Tuesday night's Yankees game, won 6-4 by the Bombers, tried to help Wise pull off a successful foul-ball hoax, they ditched the incriminating evidence — by giving it to the kid.

"I thought I was in a dream," said Ben, a die-hard Yankees fan. "I like that the Yankees won. But I think the umpire made a bad call."

Ben was sitting with his mother along the third-base line when Wise tumbled in the stands in pursuit of a foul ball. An umpire said Wise made the catch, ending the eighth inning, though fan Vinnie Pellegrino was holding the ball.

Pellegrino and his pal Sal Azzariti gave the ball to Ben, who plays shortstop like his favorite player, Derek Jeter.

"When Wise came back out for the ninth inning we waved and shouted at him because the boy wanted him to sign the ball," Azzariti said.

"But I don't think he wanted him to come over. He gave us a little wave with his glove — and a wink."

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