The champions of the Little League World Series from El Segundo were celebrated on Tuesday evening at Dodger Stadium.
During a pregame ceremony, the team was introduced. Louis Lappe had the opportunity to speak and said, “It’s a dream come true for every kid, and I lived it,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Lappe’s home run at the start of the final inning secured a 6-5 victory for El Segundo and the championship against the all-star team from Pabao Little League in Willemstad, Curacao. The game took place in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The 6-foot-1-inch Lappe even managed to get an autograph from Mookie Betts, one of the Dodgers’ outfielders, and remarked to The Times, “I’m taller than him, which is crazy.” Betts is listed as 5 feet, 9 inches tall.
The team was greeted by Dodgers’ rookie outfielder James Outman, who exclaimed, “What’s up champions?” according to The Times.
Manager Danny Boehle expressed his admiration for the team, stating to KCAL, “These kids deserve all the credit in the world.”
Boehle also said, “They worked hard to get there. I don’t think they fully grasp the magnitude of their achievement. I believe that in about 10 years, when we have a reunion, they will realize how special it is and how difficult it is to come together, form a family, win everything, and bring it home.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the team granted interviews to media outlets from all over the country at their home field.
The team returned to their hometown on Monday and were greeted with a hero’s welcome. Hundreds of people lined Main Street in El Segundo, and a parade to celebrate the victory is scheduled to take place on September 10.
The El Segundo team arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and were immediately met by reporters and television cameras. After collecting their belongings, they embarked on a short drive to El Segundo, where they received a spirited welcome on Main Street.
Speaking at the airport, Boehle stated, “We’ve been on the road for a long time, and these boys are eager to come home and celebrate with their families. We are extremely pleased with the outcome and how these guys represented the city of El Segundo, the state of California, and the United States of America.”
Boehle’s emotions overwhelmed him as he spoke about the team’s resilience. He said, “Once it fully sinks in, it will become even more emotional for me… It’s unbelievable, historic, and monumental. The memories that these kids and coaches will have will last a lifetime.”
El Segundo faced numerous challenges to become the fourth team from Los Angeles County to win the Little League World Series. At the start of the World Series, several players fell ill with a stomach virus. After losing their second game, they had to win three consecutive games in three days to reach the U.S. championship game.
In the U.S. championship game, El Segundo avenged their earlier loss and secured a 6-1 victory over Needville Little League from Texas.
Throughout the summer, El Segundo had an impressive record of 20-2 in five tournaments. Their only other loss came against Sherman Oaks Little League in the championship series of the Southern California State Tournament. However, they managed to win the rematch later that day.
Willemstad, the team from Curacao, suffered another defeat in the championship game for the second consecutive year. In total, Curacao has reached the championship game five times through the Pabao Little League, with one victory in 2004 and several losses in 2005, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Prior to El Segundo’s victory, the previous Los Angeles County teams to win the Little League World Series were Granada Hills National Little League in 1963 and Long Beach Little League in 1992 and 1993.
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