Special homecoming welcomes Little League champs back to RI

CUMBERLAND, RI (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The cheers were deafening and the Cumberland Americans deserved it.

The team's coach Dave Belisle was trying to tell them that they were special in a pep talk that went viral, and Friday the team experienced a touching homecoming in Cumberland, RI. The team won the Little League championships and were greeted by dozens at Diamond Park when they returned to their hometown after a heartbreaking loss at the Worlds Series to Illinois.

"I'm 74 years old and I never thought I'd see this. I'm very happy and I'm happy for him," one of the player's grandmother said.

"They saw a bunch of young boys provide something that maybe everybody needed. A little bit of energy. I little bit of youth in their step," Belisle said.

But it was Belisle that provided the speech that uplifted millions and after the Americans 8-7 loss, his words going viral. He says his team is full of "guys who play the game the right way."

Player Sean Meers said, "I had a little bit of tears going and chills going through my body. It was just great. One of the best coaches I'll ever have in my life."

Another player, Nick Croteau, said Belisle was an inspirational speaker and made the team proud.

Belisile said he didn't know the mic was on to capture the speech, "because that speech was meant for them," he said, referring to his team.

He went on to say that it's the other coaches, parents and of course the players that deserve the praise.

All the Americans' coaches were asked to stay-on with the Cumberland Youth League and Belisle says he's looking forward to teaching the older boys, since this is the last season he's eligible to coach the Little League players.

Cox Media Group