Dad had promised Willie that when he was big enough, and when he could get tickets, he would take him to a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Willie loved the Yankees and asked his dad every week if they were going to the game. Finally at dinner one night dad said, "Willie, I have two tickets to the Yankee game this weekend. Do you want to go?" "Oh yeah!", said Willie, "You bet". Dad added, "Ava, I know you really like baseball too, but we will do something special together. Is that OK?" "OK dad", Ava answered, "OK, I'll stay home with mom".

Willie loved baseball. He always had his baseball glove with him whenever he went out to play.

He and dad played catch as much as

they could. Sometimes their dog, Jo-Jo, would jump up and try to catch the ball. Willie thought to himself, "I'm going to bring my glove to the baseball game and maybe I'll catch a foul ball". He remembered seeing a little boy catch one at a game he and his dad were watching on TV.

On Sunday afternoon dad and Willie left for the game. Mom packed sandwiches and drinks for them, but she knew Willie would also want a hot dog, pretzel and soda at the stadium.

Dad would make sure he did hot eat too much junk. Mom and Ava waved as they pulled away.

There was a lot of traffic that day because everybody wanted to see the

Yankees play and it was a beautiful day.

But, Willie didn't care. He was just

happy to be going to the game with his

dad. All the way to the stadium he was asking dad about the players, who was pitching, and did he think he could catch a foul ball.

Dad told him as much as he knew about the players. And, he didn't want

Willie to get discouraged about catching a foul ball so he said to him with a

smile, "You never know Willie. A foul ball might get hit into our section right into your glove." It wasn't a lie, but dad knew that is wasn't likely to happen. He had been to dozens of games and never got a foul ball before. He also told Willie to be careful if one was hit their way because the big kids and grown men would be running for it. They could knock him down. He wasn't sure if Willie even heard him.

They got to the stadium, went through the line and made their way to their seats. They were pretty good, but in the second level and there usually weren't many foul balls hit in that area. Willie was beaming with excitement and anticipation. He wished he could just run on to the field and around the bases like the real players did. He thought to himself, "Some day, some day".

Nothing much happened the first few innings except for Willie having a hot dog, pretzel, soda and popcorn. Dad had to slow him down. there were a lot of innings left. And, so far, not even one foul ball in their area. Then it happened!

The batter swung and hit a high

pop-up that drifted toward their

section. Willie could see it in the sky and screamed, "Look dad, a foul

ball. I'm gonna get it." And before his dad could stop him Willie was running through the stands towards the ball.

But, the other fans in the stands near them saw the ball coming also. And, they all started to run for it. Big kids, men and even some little kids like Willie. Will was accidentally bumped and fell to the ground.

There were so many people around that he just rolled under the seat to be safe.

A few seconds later he heard a loud roar

as the man who got the ball raised it over

his head to show everyone.