The Little League team from California (a State which I have grown to hate) won the LLWS yesterday, beating the team from Japan 2-1.

Throughout the tournament, I've been following the kids from Japan, and I'd grown to like them.

I watched several Japanese batters take a called third strike, step out of the batter's box and give a quick, polite, little bow to the umpire (the kid might have been thinking "Revered sir, I may disagree with your judgement on that call, but, I respect your authority to do so.") 

Then, between innings, the Japanese kids would huddle up with their coach on the sidelines for instructions. Before the coach ever arrived at the huddle, each kid had removed his cap and was standing respectfully awaiting his coach. 

In their dugout the kids were still 12 and 13 year-old boys, slapping high fives and shouting encouragement to their teammates in the field. 

My heart went out to them in their loss yesterday.

Losing makes you stronger, and they should hold their heads high. A fun series to watch.