Peachtree City advances to the United States Championship on Saturday

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. - The Little League team from Peachtree City has made it to the United States Championship Game scheduled for Saturday.

It has been an impressive run in the World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Since last Friday, they have strung together some amazing come-from-behind victories to the delight of fans across metro Atlanta.

They were watching Thursday night at Mike & C's Family Sports Grill along Highway 74. The establishment is just a long toss away from the field where the Little League team from Peachtree City play. Many of them go to school right up the road at Rising Starr Middle School. So, it was packed with fans of all ages on the edge of their seats watching yet another come-from-behind victory.

“We're a bunch of old guys that play rec basketball and beat up on most of the young guys we play,” said Pete Palmer who lives in Peachtree City.

“[We're] rooting [for] our friend Eric Peete,” said Larry Shaffer. “His son Tai Peete is the #7 and he's also the starting pitcher tonight.”

The group of men plays on a recreational team called Old School. Palmer said they are proud of the hometown team and their teammate's son.

“We lost in the playoffs because his dad Eric couldn't play with us because he was at the Little League World Series, but we understand why. He's there supporting Tai. It's awesome to watch Tai. Tai's been coming to our basketball games forever, so it's really fun to watch him on TV.”

There’s consensus that these 12 and 13-year-boys are blessed with the ability to stay calm, to have fun and haven’t let the pressure get to them, not even when they’ve been behind, which seems to be like every game so far.

FOX 5’s Doug Evans spoke to Matt Manetti in Williamsport whose son Cole is on the team before Thursday night’s game.

Evans: “Matt how are the boys holding up?

Manetti: “They are holding up well. Loose as ever. Great chemistry among the boys. They’ve become best friends.”

“Down deep they are a great group of kids. They were in here not long ago right before going up there to Pennsylvania. Fantastic parents. Come in here at least two or three times a week. Wonderful families,” said Daniel Roberts, owner Mike and C’s.

“I am extremely impressed. Their composure, their toughness, and their grit has really shown by how they have stayed in a lot of games and come from behind. I am really proud of them,” said fan Henry Howington.

“What has it been like here in Peachtree City? I think the whole community has rallied around the team and it has been great to see everyone supporting them,” said fan Kaite Worthington. 

They are selling t-shirts here to help the families with the cost of participating in the three-week event.

“These 12-year olds are very resilient kids.  Unbelievable, what they have accomplished.  Every table in here it’s a constant conversation piece for sure,” said Roberts.

“We feel it for sure. We are excited. We are very grateful to all the people back home supporting us. We appreciate it,” said Manetti.

The team came from a 3-2 deficit to move past State Island, New York. The final score was 7-3.

The team is scheduled to play the team from Honolulu on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. for the U.S. Championship. The winner there moves on to play in the World Championship on Sunday at 3 p.m.