Each year, the Little League® International Tournament showcases the Fun, Teamwork, and Integrity that is displayed in thousands of communities around the world, and during the 2024 Little League Softball® Southeast Region Tournament, those values were more prevalent than ever.
During the first round of the event, McLean (Va.) Little League and Hite Saunders Little League (Huntington, W.V.) were faced with a two-hour rain delay during the middle of their game, sending them to the dining hall where instead of continuing the competition they faced on the field, quickly turned that to playing games, making friends, and creating lifelong memories.
While Virginia took home the victory after the rain cleared and the teams returned to the field, the game concluded with a showing of sportsmanship that included hugs, handshakes, and high fives, further exemplifying Little League’s core value of integrity while showcasing the important friendships that can only be made in the Little League program. The following day, as Virginia took on Florida, the team from West Virginia came out to the stands to cheer on their new friends before taking the field for their own game.
With both teams holding a 1-1 record, Virginia took the field first against Georgia in the first game of the day, and after securing its win was promptly greeted with an excited congratulation by the West Virginia team in the left-field corner as they took the field against Tennessee.
That moment did not go unnoticed, however, as Virginia returned the favor after West Virginia’s come-from-behind victory, greeting them in the same manor down the left-field line after the win.
After both West Virginia and Virginia took home their victories on Tuesday, July 23, the two teams would once again match up against each other, this time taking the field on ESPN. While the competition will be played out on the field, and only one team will advance to the next round, the memories and friendships they have created thanks to the Little League Softball Southeast Region Tournament will be remembered forever.
Be sure to follow the action on ESPN at 11 a.m. ET to watch these two teams take the field, and follow along at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries. To learn more about the Little League Softball program, and find a league in your community, visit LittleLeague.org/Softball.