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Frankly Speaking: Sportsmanship in Little League

We can learn a lot from children if we're willing to pay attention.

We can learn a lot from children if we're willing to pay attention.

I learned a lot this weekend -- usually do whenever the Little League World Series takes center stage.

It's not so much what I see between the lines -- trust me, that's plenty good, especially those Hawaii pitchers, wow.

It's more about the smile, the hugs, the shouts of encouragement, the sheer joy of playing a kid's game -- they are kids, after all.

Another big takeaway -- the amazing displays of sportsmanship. Win or lose, the genuine show of respect for the opposing players and coaches.

Remember when Warner Robins beat Japan in 2007 -- the great pictures of the ecstatic winners taking time to console the heartbroken losers?

The same scene is played out seemingly every year when the World Series crowns its king.

The kids get it -- you play hard, you certainly compete to win, but when it's over, you step back and tip your hat or your headband or your helmet to the other guy, say, 'Well done,' and, 'Hey, let's share a Coke after the game.'

And I think there's a lesson we can probably all learn from that.

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