Sports content should be funny and smart, not angry and dumb
El Segundo welcomes the Little League World Series champions
In a parade fit for the big leagues, thousands of people lined Main Street in El Segundo on Monday to welcome the 2023 Little League World Series champions.
The El Segundo Little League 12U All-Stars defeated Curacao 6-5 in Sunday’s championship game with a dramatic walk-off home run in the bottom of the 6th inning.
“It’s a dream come true,” one player told KTLA as they arrived at LAX Monday afternoon. “It’s very exciting … a great achievement in our lifetime.”
“It’s good to be home. We’ve been on the road for a long time,” said coach Danny Boehle. “It’s been an amazing journey. They finished the mission they started three years ago, and I love them all.â€
Street in El Segundo, California to celebrate the Little League World Series championship team. August 28, 2023. (KTLA)
Thousands lined Main Street in El Segundo, California to celebrate the Little League World Series championship team. August 28, 2023. (KTLA)
Little League World Series champions El Segundo U12 All-Stars return to LAX. August 28, 2023. (KTLA)
El Segundo, Calif.’s Louis Lappe, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo walk-off home run against Curacao’s Jay-Dlynn Wiel during the sixth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday , August 27, 2023. California won 6-5. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
El Segundo, California’s Louis Lappe, right center, celebrates with manager Danny Bole, left center, and teammates after hitting a solo walk-off home run against Curacao’s Jay-Dlynn Wiel during in the sixth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023. California won 6-5. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
El Segundo, Calif.’s Louis Lappe, center, celebrates with Crew O’Connor (21), Jaxon Kalish (22), Max Baker (13), Brody Brooks (14) and Ollie Parks, right, after their 6-1 win over Needville, Texas during the United States Championship baseball game of the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
El Segundo, Calif., fans cheer on the team against Needville, Texas, during the second inning of the U.S. championship baseball game of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo / Tom E. Puskar)
El Segundo, Calif. poses with the championship banner after winning 6-1 against Needville, Texas during the United States Championship baseball game of the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo /Tom E. Puskar )
Louis Lappe (19) of El Segundo, Calif. celebrates with teammates on the way home in the dugout after his three-run home run against Needville, Texas, during the fifth inning of the US championship baseball game of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Louis Lappe of El Segundo, Calif. delivers during the first inning of the United States Championship baseball game against Needville, Texas in the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo /Gene J. Puskar)
El Segundo, Calif.’s Brody Brooks (14) celebrates after hitting a solo home run off Needville, Texas’ DJ Jablonski in the first inning of the United States Championship baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa. , Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
A sign welcomes the 2023 LLWS champions El Segundo 12U All-Stars. August 28, 2023. (KTLA)
It was the first trip to the final for the team from El Segundo, a city of about 16,000 people just south of Los Angeles International Airport.
“The memories of these kids as well as their coaches will last a lifetime,” Boehle said. “I think they’ll get it in about ten to 15 years from now, and understand what they’re doing.”
California’s eight titles are the most of any US state.
Curacao, a small island off the coast of Venezuela with only 150,000 residents, has represented the international side of the championship bracket the last three times non-US teams have competed – in 2019 , 2022 and this year – but something is missing each time.
There will be no tournament in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 tournament will be limited to American teams due to travel restrictions.
Both California and Curacao lost during the tournament and had to work their way through the elimination bracket to the final.
