R.I. Little League Coach: 'You Had the Whole State Jumping'

After Rhode Island’s heartbreaking loss to Illinois in Monday’s Little League World Series elimination game, coach David Belisle told his players they have nothing to be ashamed about.

The squad from Cumberland fell to a team from Chicago, 8-7.

After the final out, Belisle gathered his players around and delivered a powerful speech.

“Look at the score,” he said. “It came to the last out. We didn’t quit. That’s us boys, that’s us.

“What you provided for a town in Cumberland ... You had the whole place jumping. You had the whole state jumping. You had New England jumping. You had ESPN jumping. Want to know why? They like fighters. They like sportsmen. They like guys who don’t quit. They like guys who play the game the right way.

“You’ve given me the most precious moment of my athletic and coaching career and I’ve been coaching a long time. A long time. I’m getting to be an old man. I need memories like this.

“You’re the boys of summer.”

Here’s Belisle’s full speech: