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SPORTS ZONE 2: Big Values For Little Leaguers

For Little Leaguers throughout the world, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, represents the pinnacle of success, and the chance for immortality, of a sort.

Little League baseball is a sport currently participated in by eleven and twelve year-olds in over forty different countries. Each year, the best of the best around the world coverage on the small suburb of Williamsport, PA, for a nearly two-week competition to decide which Little League team is the best.

For most of the players, this will be their crowning achievement in sports, albeit at an early age. Indeed, very few Little Leaguers go on to play professional baseball; nonetheless, on the field, everyone puts forth their best effort. In a way, they're playing for their country; in a way, they're playing for themselves. Be it win or loss, however, Little Leaguers are perhaps best known for their sportsmanship. A quality not lost upon either of this year's Little League World Series teams.

For the third time in the last five years, a team sent by Japan would win the title; indeed, they were masterful throughout the tournament, never losing a game, and blowing-out most of their opponents. Although the US representing team, Boynton Beach, Florida, would lose the game 10-1, they didn't lose their spirits.

Tradition among the Japanese teams, the final out of the game brought the entire bench rushing towards center field, intent on a cordial bow to the stately plaque of Howard J. Lamade (for whom the current Little League Sports Complex is dedicated) and a victory lap around the field. Seemingly undeterred by their loss, the Boynton Beach team so too rushed headlong to center field, joining the Japanese team in their victory lap.

In a way, the display was a nexus of the principles Little League (the organization) values; in a more touching, more personal, way, the camaraderie displayed by the two teams put the preceeding game into stark perspective: it was, after all, only a game... and even the biggest game in the world couldn't tear a friendship apart.

From these Little Leaguers the world can learn a lot. Despite their differences, despite the competition and the glory, despite their parents and fans--despite it all--the two teams took that victory lap together, and thus made the final score all that more insignificant.

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Read SPORTS ZONE 1: Wambach Wows at WUSA Final