You’ve probably seen the highlight by now. A kid from Florida drops a bunt, the ball rolls toward the pitcher, and then—chaos. Pure, unadulterated Little League chaos.
Florida had never won it all. Not once. In eight previous trips to the final game, teams from the Sunshine State came home with silver. But on a humid Sunday in South Williamsport, the 2024 Little League World Series winner finally emerged from Lake Mary, Florida. They didn't do it with a 300-foot bomb or a 80-mph fastball. Honestly, they did it with a bunt that went sideways in the best way possible.
Lake Mary Little League took down Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei, with a 2-1 score in eight innings. It was a grinder. A defensive masterclass. And yeah, it was maybe the wildest ending we've seen at Lamade Stadium in a generation.
How Lake Mary Became the 2024 Little League World Series Winner
Most people thought Chinese Taipei was going to steamroll their way to another title. They looked unbeatable early on. They had the history, the pitching depth, and that clinical efficiency that makes Asia-Pacific teams so terrifying in August.
But Florida had this "never say die" energy.
They actually lost a game earlier in the bracket to Texas (Boerne Little League). Most teams fold after a loss like that. It’s hard to climb back through the elimination bracket. But Lake Mary just kept winning. They played seven games in total during the tournament—a record for a champion—proving that they were basically the toughest kids on the block.
The Championship Game Breakdown
The final was a pitcher's duel that felt more like a chess match. Chinese Taipei jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Hu Yen-Chun laced a single. For five innings, that lead felt like a mountain. Florida was getting runners on, but they couldn't bring them home. It was frustrating to watch, frankly. They left runners at third base in three straight innings.
Then came the bottom of the sixth.
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Florida was down to their last three outs. Lathan Norton got on. Then, DeMarcos Mieses—everyone calls him DJ—delivered a bloop single that tied the game. The crowd in Pennsylvania went absolutely nuclear.
That Final, Chaotic Bunt
We went to extra innings. In Little League, that means the "ghost runner" starts on second base. In the top of the 8th, Florida's defense held firm. They didn't let Chinese Taipei score.
Bottom of the 8th. Hunter Alexander is at the plate. He gets the signal to bunt. He lays it down perfectly toward the right side. The pitcher, Chiu Wei-Che, scoops it up. He turns to throw to first, but there’s a problem.
Nobody was covering the bag.
The second baseman had crashed. The first baseman had crashed. The shortstop was covering second. The ball sailed into right field, Lathan Norton rounded third, and the celebration was on. It was a heartbreaking mistake for Chinese Taipei, but a moment of pure instinctual brilliance for Florida.
Why This Win for Florida Matters
Before this, Florida was 0-8 in championship games. Think about that. Decades of great baseball players coming out of Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, and they always fell just short.
The 2024 Little League World Series winner didn't just win a trophy; they killed a "curse" that had been hanging over the state since the tournament began in 1947.
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What's even cooler is how they handled the win. After the initial dogpile, the Lake Mary players and coaches didn't just celebrate. They went over to the Chinese Taipei kids, who were understandably devastated, and offered hugs and high fives. Coach Jonathan Anderson was seen comforting the opposing second baseman. It was a class act. It reminded everyone that even though these kids play like pros, they’re still just 12-year-olds who love the game.
Key Players Who Carried the Weight
- Jacob Bibaud: He was a rock on the mound. After giving up that early run, he settled in and kept one of the best offenses in the world off balance for four innings.
- DeMarcos "DJ" Mieses: The kid has ice in his veins. His RBI double (technically a bloop single/double depending on who you ask) in the sixth saved the season.
- Lathan Norton: He seemed to be involved in every big play, eventually scoring the winning run on the error.
- Hunter Alexander: The "Bunt King." It takes guts to lay one down with the world watching.
The Road to the Title
Lake Mary’s journey wasn't a fluke. They went 13-0 through the Florida State and Southeast Regional tournaments. They outscored opponents by ridiculous margins.
When they got to Williamsport, they faced adversity immediately. That loss to Texas forced them to play nearly every day. They had to manage pitch counts like big-league managers. They had to deal with rain delays and the pressure of being on ESPN every night.
They finished the summer with a 20-1 total record. That’s dominance.
Misconceptions About the Final Play
A lot of casual fans on social media tried to claim Florida "stole" the game on a mistake.
That's kinda nonsense.
In baseball, pressure causes mistakes. Florida put the ball in play. They forced the defense to make a decision. If Hunter doesn't lay down that bunt, we might still be playing that game. It was a tactical choice that paid off. You play to win, and Lake Mary played the game the right way—small ball and all.
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Lessons from Lake Mary’s Victory
If you're a coach or a parent, there’s a lot to take away from the 2024 Little League World Series winner.
First, the elimination bracket isn't a death sentence. It builds character. Lake Mary was battle-tested by the time they hit the final. They had already played "must-win" games for four days straight.
Second, defense and pitching win championships. You hear it all the time, but holding Chinese Taipei to one run over eight innings is a feat that shouldn't be overlooked. Florida's coaching staff, led by Jonathan Anderson, managed those kids perfectly.
Finally, stay humble. The way Florida celebrated with their opponents instead of just at them is why people are still talking about this team.
What's Next for the Champs?
The parade in Lake Mary was huge. The kids got to go to Disney World. Some of them are probably already looking toward high school ball.
But for the rest of us, the 2024 tournament will be remembered for that bunt. The "Bunt Heard 'Round the World." It was the perfect ending to a summer where a group of kids from Central Florida proved that grit, sportsmanship, and a little bit of chaos can make history.
Actionable Insights for Youth Baseball:
- Practice the Small Stuff: Florida won on a bunt and a baserunning play. Don't just swing for the fences in practice.
- Conditioning Matters: Playing 7 games in 12 days is grueling. These kids were fit and focused until the final pitch.
- Mental Resilience: After losing to Texas, the team could have quit. Focus on the next pitch, not the last game.
- Sportsmanship First: Winning is great, but the way you treat the opponent defines your legacy. Take a page from Coach Anderson's book.