Members of Venezuela comforted Dominican Republic pitcher Edward Uceta after he gave up a walk-off hit. (Screen shot via Deadspin)

A tremendous display of sportsmanship occurred during Venezuela’s 3-2 walk-off win over the Dominican Republic during the Little League World Series on Monday. Just minutes after giving up a walk-off hit, Edward Uceta of the D.R. was consoled by opposing coaches and players while still on the mound.





As you can see, the Dominican Republic held a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two men on base, Omar Romero hit a triple to bring home both the tying run and the go-ahead run to win the game.

Immediately after the play, Uceta collapses on the pitcher’s mound. As some of the members of the Venezuelan team are celebrating, a few of the coaches notice Uceta sobbing on the ground. They go over to him, pick him up, offer words of encouragement and hug him. Uceta also received a hug from one of Venezuela’s star players during the post-game handshake line.

It was a touching moment that reinforces what Little League should be all about. These are just kids out there playing on the biggest stage. Emotions can run high. It’s promising to see relationships and empathy can triumph over a silly game of baseball.

Following the game, Dominican Republic manager Jose Cordero told ESPN he appreciated Venezuela’s sportsmanship and talked about his admiration for his pitcher.

“We’re all Latino, we’re brothers,” Dominican Republic manager Jose Cordero said of Venezuela’s sportsmanship. “[Uceta] has a very big heart,” Cordero said. “If I talk too much about him, I start to tear up.”

Given some of the people who lurk in internet comments section, we imagine there will be some “typical millennials” responses. Don’t be that person. These are kids, not grown adults. No one is saying Zach Britton needs to be hugged by members of the New York Yankees if he blows a save.

Not only that, but the Little League World Series is partially about these players coming together and creating friendships. Two players from different countries communicating with each other despite a language barrier is a significant moment.

The coolest thing I've seen today: players from the DR and South Dakota having a conversation w/ @Google translate. #MLBLittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/qUyVZPgr44 — bob holtzman (@Bob_Holtzman) August 20, 2017





If these kids represent the future of the game, baseball is going to be just fine.

(BLS H/N: Deadspin)

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

The StewPod: A baseball podcast by Yahoo Sports

Subscribe via iTunes or via RSS feed

– – – – – – –

Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik

More from Yahoo Sports:

• Was hit that took out Odell Beckham dirty?

• Baseball stunned by Ian Kinsler’s fine for ump fight

• Mayweather goes ‘insane’ over Bieber social media act

• Browns stage largest anthem protest yet

