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Little Leaguer and coach from Ukraine share their experience at the Little League World Series

Newswatch 16's Mackenzie Aucker spoke with them about their journey.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — "From Mid-Atlantic and then from like Japan, Asia-Pacific, I've been trading pins more with them," said Illia Kolomoiets, Europe-Africa Player. 

Many of the players at the Little League World Series come from all different parts of the world. 

Illia Kolomoiets' journey took him from war-torn Ukraine to the Czech Republic and now to South Williamsport. 

For the second year in a row, Kolomoiets is playing in the Little League World Series. 

This time, his mom Ireyna is in the stands cheering him on. She says the baseball fields here are different from the ones back in Ukraine.

"Our kids play on football fields, in Kyiv we have this year field from Adolf and in Kropyvnytskyi City we have a big complex but it's smaller than this," said Irenya Kolomoiets, Illia's Mother. 

Irenya says everyone here in the United States is being super supportive—especially the team uncles who helped her find a place to stay in Williamsport. 

"It's very supportive, and i hope that every single person is fine and hope that there will be peace very soon in our world."

But Illia isn't the only member of team Europe-Africa from Ukraine, so is one of the team's coaches who says he's grateful for the support from the Little League Community.

"They treat him great, he's so grateful for them to give us this help—helping us for kids, players, coaches everything—it's just great and thankful for Americans," said Serhiy Holovko, Europe-Africa coach.

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