An Olympic Gold medal, the Superbowl’s Lombardi Trophy, a Fifa World Cup – which is the most coveted jewel in the sports world crown? In my opinion, the most difficult and prestigious of is none of these. The Little League World Series on the other hand, is utterly deserving of such a title.

First off, I rule out professional championships. If you are getting paid to play a game, you innocence, pure competitive nature and the ‘for the love of the game’ notion goes right out the window.

What about collegiate sports? They aren’t playing for money, but the amount of teams/schools competing somewhat lessens the prestige of a championship.

Patriotism is also factor in determining the best championship out there. The Olympics are a great example – competing and representing one’s country is one of the most self-satisfying feelings out there.

Olympians surely have it, deservingly. However, a world-class athlete can compete at a high level for years – having a career that spans twenty years. In other words, 5 shots at a gold medal.

The same could be said for soccer’s World Cup. Professional soccer careers often span twenty or more years, and with the same amount of time between World Cups as Olympics the same 5-opportunity theory remains.

In America, football is king. So common knowledge dictates that a Superbowl title must be the pinnacle of sports achievement. I would argue that undeserving teams (perhaps the Steelers in 2005) did not deserve the championship.

Again, the number of years a football player has the opportunity to win a Superbowl takes it out of consideration. While pro football careers rarely reach twenty years, ten or fifteen years is not out of the question for an upper echelon and resilient athlete.

Now, the Little League World Series is only open to Little League All-Star teams comprised of 11 and 12 year-olds. Translation – you’ve got two years to win or you’re out of the running.

Also, it differs from pro sports in that your salary doesn’t determine whom you play for, your location does. In the United States that means you play with your neighbor from down the block and the kid you got into a schoolyard tussle with last week, perhaps even your brother of all people!

You and your buddies are going to represent first, your town at Districts. Then if you win, you represent your district at State. If all goes well at State it’s time for regionals where you represent your region of the country at the World Series.

If the stars align, and you win the United States portion of the series it is time to represent your country against the winner of the rest of the world. One game, winner-take-all, and you have an opportunity to beat the rest of the world in the only year you are 12 and had the good fortune for your team to – first, have the talent, avoid injury and beat teams having the same luck you are.

 
And like Olympians and World Cup participants your have the prestige of representing your town, state, region and eventually country, just because you love the game.