The 63rd Little League World Series

When Little Leaguers play a World Series, it's really a world series, with eight international teams represented in the 16-team field. The 63rd Little League World Series championship game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pa. saw a US team from San Diego suburb Chula Vista take on the Asia Pacific champ from Taoyuan, Taiwan. The American kids prevailed in an emotional tournament with plenty of highs and lows that proved that, contrary to what Tom Hanks' character famously claimed in the movie "A League of Their Own," there IS crying in baseball. There's also more joy and enthusiasm than we usually see in an entire season of a professional sport. ( 28 photos total)

Chiba City, Japan's Kenya Kawashima yells to teammates as he stands on first base after being hit by a pitch against Maracaibo, Venezuela during a Little League World Series pool baseball game August 24 in South Williamsport, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Urbandale, Iowa batter Ross Kramer reacts as he his hit in the back by a wild pitch August 21. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Vancouver, British Columbia's Anthony Cusati rounds third after hitting a solo home run against Reynosa, Mexico August 22. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) #

Peabody, Mass. teammates J.J. Layton (left) and Matt Correale kneel during a pitching change in a 12-run sixth inning by Chula Vista, Calif. August 23. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) #

Willemstad, Curacao's Richendly Bicentini (right) scores the winning run while beating the tag by Chiba City, Japan catcher Takayuki Tsuchiya August 23. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar) #

Maracaibo, Venezuela's Ender Chaparro (left) tags out Chiba City, Japan's Naoto Ogura on a steal attempt at second base August 24. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Maracaibo, Venezuela's Edgar D'Empaire reacts on the field after the team's loss to Chiba City, Japan August 24. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Staten Island, N.Y. pitcher Michael Rapaglia (left) has a conference on the mound with catcher James Morisano against Urbandale, Iowa August 24. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) #

Ramstein AFB, Germany's Matt Zembraski celebrates with teammates as he crosses the plate after hitting a two-run home run August 25. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Reynosa, Mexico's Oscar Norguera dives for a throw as Taoyuan, Taiwan's Yu Chieh Kao safely steals second base August 25. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Taoyuan, Taiwan's Wen Hua Sung ducks as he gets hit on the helmet from teammate Chung Yao Chang after Sung hit a solo home run August 25. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Chiba City, Japan's Kenya Kawashima fields the ball against Reynosa, Mexico August 26. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Chiba City, Japan's Kouki Kimura cries as he goes to congratulate and shake hands with the Reynosa, Mexico team after Japan's 6-0 loss August 26. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Edmund Americaan of Curacao pitches against Taoyuan, Taiwan in the international semifinal August 27. (Larry French/Getty Images) #

Warner Robins, Ga.'s Hunter Phillips dives but can't come up with the catch on a line drive against Chula Vista, Calif. August 27. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) #

Warner Robins Ga.'s Jake Farrell flies after beating the tag by Chula Vista, Calif.'s Isiah Armenta in the US semifinal August 27. (REUTERS/Tim Shaffer) #

Chula Vista, Calif. players celebrate after defeating Warner Robins, Ga. in the U.S. semifinal August 27. (REUTERS/Tim Shaffer) #

Third baseman Agustin Montoya of Reynosa, Mexico is ready for a play against Taoyuan, Taiwan in the international final . (Larry French/Getty Images) #

Taoyuan, Taiwan players pose with umpire Michael T. Martin between innings August 29. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Reynosa, Mexico players wave their caps to their fans after the game against Taoyuan, Taiwan in the International final August 29. (Larry French/Getty Images) #

Chula Vista, Calif.'s Nick Conlin scores on a wild pitch in the championship game against Taoyuan, Taiwan August 30. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Taoyuan, Taiwan batter Yuan Ting Tai lies on the ground after getting hit by a pitch against Chula Vista, Calif. in the championship game August 30. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

The mascot of Little League World Series, Dugout, dances with an umpire during a break during the championship game August 30. (Larry French/Getty Images) #

Taoyuan, Taiwan players (left to right) Po Chuan Pan Kuan Sheng Huang and Yu Chieh Kao react after losing to Chula Vista, Calif. in the championship game August 30. (REUTERS/Tim Shaffer) #

Taoyuan, Taiwan players gather dirt from the mound after the loss against Chula Vista, Calif. August 30. (Larry French/Getty Images) #

The Chula Vista, Calif. team celebrates their championship August 30. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) #

Chula Vista, Calif.'s Daniel Porras Jr. gets a hug from Andy Rios (right) as they celebrate the team's 6-3 championship victory over Taoyuan, Taiwan August 30. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar) #

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The 63rd Little League World Series