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City, White Sox To Host Watch Party For Chicago Little League Team At Jackie Robinson Field

(CBS) -- The city of Chicago and the White Sox will hold a viewing party to watch the Jackie Robinson West All Stars play in the Little League World Series Thursday.

The viewing party will take place at Jackie Robinson Field, 10700 S. Aberdeen, at 1:30 p.m. According to a press release from the White Sox, there will be a large video screen showing the game, ballpark food, White Sox mascot Southpaw and former Sox players.

"This is a great way for the neighborhood and the city of Chicago to celebrate the accomplishments of this talented group of young men from the Jackie Robinson West Little League" said Jerry Reinsdorf, chairman of the Chicago White Sox said in a release. "We all are very proud of their accomplishments, and we are honored to co-host the Watch Party with Mayor Emanuel. Six players on the Jackie Robinson West team also play for the White Sox ACE program, so we are doubly proud of their tremendous accomplishments. These kids already are champions in our eyes before a single pitch is thrown in Williamsport."

The Jackie Robinson West All-Stars won the Great Lakes Regional and are the first team from Chicago to make the Little League World Series since 1983.

Parents of the players tell CBS 2's Chris Martinez they are overwhelmed by the support for the team coming in from all across the city. They say former Cub and current Colorado Rockie LaTroy Hawkins donated $20,000 to help pay for travel accommodations.

"A lot of people are reaching out to us helping us get down there," said parent Linda Sneed. "I'll never forget it and I thank everybody for that."

"I think it is huge that someone thought enough of the parents who weren't able to make it on their own for them to get there and see their boys," said Venisa Green.

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