Long Beach Little Leaguers Win Title Again
Pinch-hitter Jeremy Hess hit a two-out, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the sixth inning Saturday as the Long Beach All-Stars became the first U.S. team to win back-to-back Little League World Series titles with a 3-2 victory over Panama.
Before an announced crowd of 40,000 and a national television audience, Hess, 12, lined an 0-and-1 pitch from reliever Abel Navarro into right-center field, scoring pinch-runner Charlie Hayes.
The victory was vindication in the eyes of many fans from the Long Beach area, who numbered about 150 here on a hot and steamy central Pennsylvania afternoon. Last year, the All-Stars were defeated by the Philippines, 15-4, in the World Series championship game. Three weeks later, the Philippines team was stripped of its title for using overage players and Long Beach was named champion.
“These kids got what they deserved this time,” said Bob McKittrick, the Little League district administrator from Long Beach.
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