Is this Australiaâ€™s nicest kid?

Aussie outfielder Luke Hughes tried to make this kid's night by throwing him a souvenir baseball from the foul territory, but when the ball fell short and was picked up by a security guard, the young man's dream nearly didn't come true.

Good deed: 8-year-old Brendan hands 7-year-old Cooper his lucky baseball. Source: Supplied

IS THIS the nicest kid in Australia?

Eight-year-old Brendan (his surname has been withheld at the request of his family) made headlines today after footage caught him giving a baseball to a distraught youngster during the big game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Team Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday night.

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It all unfolded when a security guard handed the stray, foul ball to the eight-year-old. It appeared to be intended for seven-year-old Cooper Manning, who was also vying for the prized possession.

When the guard handed Brendan the ball, Manning threw an epic tantrum.

Luke Hughes throws the ball Cooper, but misses. Source: Supplied

"Hey mister, it's my ball!" Source: Supplied

It's his ... fans point to the little boy as he screams for the ball. Source: Supplied

Here you go ... Brendan shows sporting spirit and gives the ball over. Source: Supplied

Victory! Source: Supplied

Brendan's father, Doug, set the record straight this evening, telling news.com.au the ball was initially intended for him, but after Manning's public spat he gave it away.

"We were there as a complete family, there was seven of us," Doug said.

"It was a great night, we were having fun and the kids were enjoying it. We knew it was a bit of a spectacle and something unique.

"Initially what happened was [before the encounter with Manning] there was another foul ball hit and a little girl ran to get it. She was just about to get the ball when a man reached over and took it and the crowd was reacted, telling him to give it back."

According to Doug, the man threw the ball back but it landed in Doug's five-year-old son's lap, who duly returned the ball to little girl.

"I was telling my children that if another ball comes our way, talk to the security guard and ask for it, which they did.

"When the other ball came, the security guard was going to throw to the other boy [Manning] but because my son had been talking to the guard and he helped out the girl, he was inclined to give it to my son.

"My son has a lot of empathy, he just naturally handed the ball to the other kid.

"I thought it was great, I explained to them that if you were that child, wouldn't you want to get it back?

"It was really rewarding as a parent, we are very proud of Brendan, it was lovely."

Brendan's family are self-confessed baseball nuts. All five children play or have played, the eldest plays professionally, dad Doug coaches and Brendan has just finished the season for the under 10s Cronulla Sharks Baseball club in Sydney.

"We play catch together, we throw the ball together. I'd like to say [last night was] great parenting but he's demonstrated over a period of time he's a special boy.

"We had a wonderful night, it was great for baseball and very enjoyable.

And of Manning's tantrum?

"The mother was just appreciative and said thank you, the boy was obviously very ecstatic that he had the ball back.

"He was very anxious and excited about getting the ball.

"There's a life lesson here, do the right thing and you're better off as a result."