Little League World Series 2011: 5 Fun Facts About the Huntington Beach Team

Huntington Beach, California won the 2011 Little League World Series for the West Region on Sunday against Hamamatsu City, Japan 2-1 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Little League World Series Final usually doesn't disappoint and this one definitely lived up to the bill—Nick Pratto collected the game-winning RBI to defeat Japan in the sixth inning for the walk-off victory.

Here are five fun facts about the West Region and the Huntington Beach team.

5. West Region Has Won 2 of the Past 3 Little League World Series

Chula Vista, California won the 2009 Little League World Series with a 6-3 victory over Chinese Taipei. Huntington Beach, California is now the second team in three years to win the Little League World Series after their victory on Sunday over Hamamatsu City, Japan 2-1.

Does this mean that California is the best United States representative? Are the best teams coming from the state of California?

California now has seven Little League World Series championships, more than any other state.

You decide.

4. Huntington Beach Is First Team from Orange County to Win the Series

Huntington Beach, California is the first team from Orange County to win the Little League World Series.

Only one other team has made it to a Little League World Series final from Orange County and that was South Mission Viejo in 1997.

3. West Region Has Been in the Past 4 Little League World Series Finals

In 2008 it was Waipahu, Hawaii, in 2009 it was Chula Vista, California, in 2010 it was Waipahu, Hawaii and this year it was Huntington Beach, California.

The West Region has been dynamite ever since Thousand Oaks, California made the 2004 final.

This region has never been so tough to qualify than it has in the past few years. The last time it was this dominant was from 1991-1994 when they made four straight Little League World Series finals.

2. California Holds 7 Little League World Series Championships

California now holds the most Little League World Series Championships in the United States with seven.

After Huntington Beach, California's victory over Hamamatsu City, Japan in the 2011 Little League World Series, the state is now tied with Japan all-time in championships.

California leads Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey by three in overall championships and is tied with Japan for second behind Taiwan/Chinese Taipei who have 17.

1. Coaches Son, Nick Pratto, Gets the Game-Winning RBI

Nick Pratto faced the biggest moment of his sports life as he stepped to the plate in the sixth inning of a tied game for the Huntington Beach, California squad.

He delivered.

Not only did he deliver a RBI single, but he delivered a RBI single that won the 2011 Little League World Series. I can't even imagine the feeling.

The best thing about this is that Nick's father is the coach of the team. As Jeff Pratto was standing down the third base line, not only as a coach, but a father, he was watching his player come through in the biggest moment of his sports career.

What a moment.