Aimee
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — It was difficult to tell who had more fun Sunday at the championship game of the Little League World Series, South Korea’s players or its supporters.
Cheerleaders in ceremonial topcoats waved ornate fans. Between innings, spectators danced in unison to music from artists as varied as Elvis Presley, Pharrell Williams and the Ramones. The players also danced beforehand, but they quickly grew serious in purpose.
After an absence of 29 years from the youth Series, South Korea defeated Jackie Robinson West of Chicago, 8-4, for its third title, each coming without a defeat in the tournament.
South Korea took an 8-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth and final inning, when Chicago finally hit the ball out of the infield. Starting pitcher Hwang Jae-yeong retired the first six batters he faced — four by strikeout — but then felt a twinge in his elbow and was relieved after allowing an infield single. Still, the Koreans did not lack for depth.
Choi Hae-chan moved from first base to the mound, bringing along an explosive fastball and a powerful swing. He and his teammate Sin Dong-wan homered as South Korea put the game beyond reach in the late innings. Chicago had been resilient through the Series and rallied in the bottom of the sixth on Sunday, but there were too many runs to make up against a poised and skilled opponent.
