The 2017 Little League World Series has been filled with highlights: a perfect game; dramatic, walk-off hits; big leaguers and Little Leaguers and a heartfelt moment of compassion between competitors. Here are some of the most memorable moments so far from Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Venezuelan team consoles star who ceded walk-off
Monday night's Little League World Series game between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic offered the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat and the type of sportsmanship found almost exclusively this time of year in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Dominican Republic Little Leaguer Edward Uceta has been the breakout star of this year's Little League World Series, but he took the loss Monday as his second pitch following a lengthy rain delay was hit for a triple by Omar Romero to give Venezuela a 3-2 walk-off win in the bottom of the sixth inning.
While the Venezuelan players celebrated the victory that moved them forward in the Little League World Series, Uceta collapsed face-down on the ground at the pitcher's mound.
Eschewing their own team's celebration, some of Venezuela's coaches and players went out to the mound to console the 4-foot-8 player. "Edward has a big heart. It was sad," Venezuela manager Alexander Ballesteros said after his team's win. "It could have happened to anyone. It could have happened to our own 'Little [Jose] Altuve' here, [Romero]."
After getting hugs from Venezuelan players, the visibly distraught Uceta joined the rest of his team in the customary postgame handshake line, where he received more hugs and consolation from Venezuela's players and coaches.
"We're all Latino, we're brothers," Dominican Republic manager Jose Cordero said of Venezuela's sportsmanship.
McCutchen impressed by Little Leaguer's HR
Every August, Williamsport, becomes the mecca for Little League baseball players from around the world who dream of playing professional baseball.
This year, those dreamers were treated to a taste of the real thing. The first MLB Little League Classic showcased divisional rivals the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates for a regular-season game at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. Before the game, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutcheon and other players spent time with the Little Leaguers at Lamade field. McCutcheon took in the action with players from the Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores Little League team from Michigan -- and obviously approved of this opposite field, two-run homer from Texas' Christian Mumphery that evened the score against Connecticut at 3-3.
Ravech's poem captures Williamsport's sights and sounds
"Batter Up!" by Karl Ravech paints images of what it is like to be at the Little League World Series. "The thrill at the Hill, every summer a smash hit, because the game won't allow you to quit!"
North Carolina pitchers toss combined perfect game
Chase Anderson, Matthew Matthijs and Carson Hardee celebrate after joining forces to throw a perfect game against South Dakota, the first at the Little League World Series since 2008.