In Chula Vista, a community of supporters rallied at 3N1 Sports Bar & Grill to watch the game and cheer on the team.
Fans were proud of Sweetwater Valley Little League for its run at the Little League World Series despite its elimination after a 12-2 loss to Phenix City, Alabama.
Many supporters kept a close eye on the scoreboard throughout the game, hoping for a different outcome.
“For them to win, for them to win it all and for James to hit a home run or a triple,†Emilio Inzunza said. “We're down three and it's the third inning.”
“Excited and nervous for the team because they’re down in the third inning 7-1,†Luca Gonzalez said.
“Disappointed but still got faith,” Bryson Marx said.
Although the team could not pull through, some expressed admiration for the journey that got the team this far.
“It's been really fun just watching a lot of people that I know go up and play on the big screen,” Clark Volkening said.
“When I see them play, I feel like I'm going to play against them one day and I feel like I'm going to be in Williamsport one day,” Arturo Lopez Jr said.
Instead of a win, the kids went home with something irreplaceable.
“Incredible memories that will last a lifetime,” Diana Godfrey said.
Ten percent of the proceeds from the watch party were donated to the players for travel expenses.
