As the softball sailed over the left-field fence at Stanford stadium, University of Hawai'i player Kate Robinson figured that was the last she would see of her first collegiate home-run ball.

But thanks to the thoughtfulness of an 8-year-old from Belmont, Calif., the ball found its way back to Hawai'i and onto Robinson's trophy display.

"I thought it was really nice, it was kind of cute that this little girl wanted to give it back," Robinson said. "It means a lot to me. It was my first home run."

Nani Friedman found Robinson's ball after it traveled over the fence and rolled into bushes under the scoreboard during UH's game against Stanford on March 24 at the Boyd & Jill Smith Family Stadium.

"I felt kind of happy," Nani said. "Every time I went to a baseball or softball game I wanted to catch but never did."

Later her father, Ira, searched the Internet to find out who hit the homer.

He discovered that it was hit by Robinson, a freshman from Kamehameha Schools, and saw it as a milestone event for her.

Ira discussed with Nani giving the ball to Kate, figuring "it would mean a lot to her."

Ira said it wasn't difficult convincing Nani to give up the ball. He said Nani didn't receive anything from her parents for her gesture.

"The reward is contained within the gesture," he said. "What she is getting is the pleasure and satisfaction of giving. The giving was not that hard once she understood what it meant to the other person."

"I couldn't make up my mind because it was special to me, but also a special ball to her," Nani said. "So I thought about it and finally decided I should give it to her."

The Friedman family, which was planning a trip to Hawai'i because Nani would be participating in a Keiki Hula competition, decided to e-mail the UH athletic department.

Nani also wrote a note to Robinson.

UH passed the message on to Robinson.

"It's nice that a girl would have it and think of me, do the research and find me and call me up," Robinson said.

The exchange took place at Queen Emma Park on Tuesday. Robinson gave Nani an autographed ball and lei in thanks.

"I felt kind of proud and happy," Nani said. "I felt good because it was the right thing to do and it was a real special ball to her."

Robinson added the ball to her collection, which includes a ball signed by the U.S. National Softball team, and a ball she saved from a game in which she struck out 15 batters. She also has balls from significant games throughout her career.

Ira said it was "meaningful to (Nani) that the ball was hit by a Hawai'i player" because of the appreciation the family has of Hawai'i and its culture.

Ira's wife, the former Jenny Dyer and now a doctor, is a 1980 Punahou School graduate.

Their daughter also has a Hawaiian name: Nani Makamae.