Every year it seems the Little League Baseball World Series shows us something that reminds us what sports is really all about, and this year is no exception.

Losing a close 8-7 game to a team from Illinois, Rhode Island Coach Dave Belisle gathered his team and reminded them of all they have achieved, and why they should be grateful.

And then he asks them for a hug. I forgot what happened after that because I was crying too hard.

To sum up what Belisle told his young charges, here are some excerpts:

Heads up high. Heads up high. I’ve gotta see your eyes, guys. There’s no disappointment in your effort — in the whole tournament, the whole season. It’s been an incredible journey.

“We fought. Look at the score – 8-7, 12-10 in hits. We came to the last out. We didn’t quit. That’s us! Boys, that’s us!

“The only reason why I’ll probably end up shedding a tear is that this is the last time I’m going to coach you guys. But I’m going to bring back with me, the coaching staff is going to bring back, you guys are going to bring back that no one other team can provide – that’s pride. Pride.

“You’re going to take that for the rest of your lives, what you provided for the town of Cumberland. You had the whole place jumping, right? You had the whole state jumping. You had New England jumping. You had ESPN jumping. OK?

“You want to know why? They like fighters. They like sportsmen. They like guys who don’t quit. They like guys who play the game the right way. If everyone would play baseball like the Cumberland Americans, this would be the greatest game.

“The lessons you guys have learned along the journey, you’re never going to forget. We’re going to have some more fun. We have two more days of fun. When you walk around this ballpark in the next couple of days, they’re going to look at you and say: 'Hey, you guys were awesome!’

“Everybody has said: You guys are awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Absolutely awesome."

And here's Belisle firing up his team when they fell behind in the game.

 

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