The coach of Rhode Island’s Cumberland American Little League team gave an inspirational speech to his players Monday night after a loss to Jackie Robinson West of Chicago eliminated them from the Little League World Series.
David Belisle gathered the boys on the field and told them he wanted them to keep their heads up before delivering the motivational speech.
“It’s OK to cry because we’re not going to play baseball together any more. But we’re going to be friends forever. Friends forever,” he said. “I love you guys. I’m gonna love you forever. You’ve given me the most precious moment in my athletic and coaching career, and I’ve been coaching a long time – a looooong time. I’m getting to be an old man. I need memories like this, I need kids like this. You’re all my boys. You’re the boys of summer.”
