Jackie Robinson Little Leaguers Honored At Dodgers Stadium

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted a huge party at the Stadium on Saturday, and everyone was invited. One of the many guests of honor on the eve of the final game of the regular season was the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars, the United States Little League World Series Champions.

The Jackie Robinson West Little Leaguers and their coaches all were honored before the game as the Chicago natives were seen sporting Dodgers hats and jerseys. The eleven, twelve and thirteen year olds took batting practice with the team, and talked to their favorite players like Carl Crawford and Hanley Ramirez.

“This is amazing. The boys, they truly deserve it and I’m just so happy for them. It’s something they’ll never forget. It’s a dream come true,” said Donita Butler, mother of one of the players.

“To see them make that childhood dream of meeting their favorite players, wearing a Dodgers jersey and being down there on the field is really exciting.” Said Bill Haley, the Director of Jackie Robinson West.

“It was real fun to see all of them. I met everybody. I got a glove from Hanley and a bat from Crawford,” said team MVP Marquis Jackson.

The all-African American team won the United States championship in August, but lost in the Little World Series final to South Korea 8-4. All of the boys are between the ages of 11 and 13, and have had a summer to remember.