Curaçao’s memorable championship run
Curaçao made headlines at the 2026 Little League World Series with a championship run that featured more than impressive plays on the field. The team’s young players attracted attention throughout their time in Williamsport, with moments that showed the competition had a human side, too.
From a historic return to the tournament to an emotional finish, Curaçao’s journey gave fans plenty to remember. But one moment late in the championship game stood out and sparked widespread attention after the final out.
The championship game included a sportsmanship moment
With one out left in the sixth inning, Curaçao pitcher Steven Felix hit Nevada batter Hudson Cowley with a 2-0 pitch. After Cowley reached first base and received attention from medical personnel, Felix called timeout and went to check on him.
The moment occurred with Curaçao holding a nine-run lead. Play resumed after the check, and Curaçao recorded the final out shortly afterward.
Felix checked on an injured opponent
Felix’s decision came with Curaçao leading 11-2 and one out separating the team from the championship. The pitcher briefly stepped off the mound to check on Cowley before the game resumed.
Cowley had been hit by a pitch during the bottom of the sixth inning. Curaçao then completed the championship by retiring Nevada’s final batter.
Curaçao players built connections in Williamsport
Curaçao players interacted with fans throughout their World Series stay in Pennsylvania. Shardijon De Lanoi said the players signed baseballs when people asked and became friends with people who approached them.
His comments were reported after the championship game. The interactions took place during Curaçao’s run through the international bracket and championship game.
The team received support from American fans
Curaçao players received growing support from fans in the United States during the tournament. Manager Railison Gijsbertha said people from the United States were buying Curaçao merchandise, while De Lanoi said players signed baseballs and became friends with fans.
Those comments came after Curaçao defeated Nevada in the championship game. The support grew as Curaçao advanced through the tournament in Williamsport.
The team entered through a new route
Pariba Little League earned Curaçao’s spot by winning the country’s regional tournament in April. The 2026 season marked the first time Curaçao received direct entry to the International Bracket rather than qualifying through the previous regional arrangement.
Little League International announced the change before the season began. Curaçao was one of 10 international teams in the 2026 field.
Pariba returned to Williamsport
The 2026 tournament marked Pariba Little League’s fifth World Series appearance and its first since 2016. The league previously reached Williamsport in 2001, 2002, 2012 and 2016 before returning for this year’s tournament.
Pariba earned its 2026 place by winning a best-of-seven championship series over Pabao Little League. The league finished the regional tournament with a 5-3 record.
Curaçao reached the international final first
Curaçao defeated Japan 4-0 on August 29 to win the International Championship Game. That result advanced Pariba Little League to the World Series championship against the Mountain Region, which had won the United States Championship.
Curaçao scored 3 runs in the third inning against Japan. The team added another run before securing the international title.
Interesting fact: Little League serves about 2 million children worldwide. Its programs operate across all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 countries, making the World Series part of a much larger international youth-sports network.
The title game started with a deficit
Curaçao fell behind Nevada 2-0 in the second inning before responding with 2 runs in the same frame’s follow-up scoring sequence. The team then added 2 runs in the fourth, 4 in the fifth and 3 in the sixth to finish with an 11-2 victory.
The 11-run total was not Curaçao’s largest scoring total of the tournament; the team scored 12 runs against Latin America. Nevada’s 2 runs were the first runs Curaçao had allowed in the championship game.
Interesting fact: Little League introduced pitch-count limits to protect young pitchers’ arms. For players ages 11-12, the regular-season limit is 85 pitches per day, with mandatory rest depending on how many pitches they throw.
De Windt delivered a key offensive performance
Juriënsly De Windt drove in 3 runs during the championship game and also pitched 3 innings. His fifth-inning double cleared the bases, helping Curaçao extend its advantage during the decisive stretch of the game.
De Windt’s double came after Curaçao scored 2 runs in the third inning to tie the score at 2-2. He finished the championship as one of the team’s leading contributors.
De Lanoi returned from illness
Shardijon De Lanoi returned to the lineup after missing 2 games because he was sick. He drove in 3 runs against Nevada, including a 2-run single in the third inning that tied the championship game at 2-2.
De Lanoi’s return added another offensive option for Curaçao. He finished the championship game with 3 RBIs.
Curaçao finished the tournament undefeated
Curaçao completed the World Series with a 5-0 record. The team scored 34 runs across five games, allowed five runs, and overcame its only deficit of the tournament during the championship game.
Curaçao also recorded three shutouts during its championship run. The team did not hit a home run in any of its five World Series games.
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The championship ended a 22-year wait
Curaçao’s 2026 championship came 22 years after its first World Series title in 2004. Little League International had recorded 15 previous Curaçao appearances dating to 1980, along with four runner-up finishes before this year’s championship.
The 2026 title therefore became the program’s second championship. Curaçao’s first title also came against an American team, Conejo Valley of California.
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What do you think about Curaçao’s sportsmanship during the Little League World Series? Like this slideshow if you enjoyed the story, and leave a comment sharing your thoughts on the team’s memorable tournament run.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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