The celebrations and congratulations continued for the Little League and Cal Ripken world champions, who were honored at yesterday's University of Hawai'i football game against Southern California.

In a series of events described as "cool" by virtually every baseball player and coach involved, the teams were able to meet the Warriors in their locker room before the game, and stand on the field during warm ups. The Cal Ripken players even got to play toss with USC coach Pete Carroll.

They also were honored in front of the fans at Aloha Stadium. The Cal Ripken players were announced before the game, and the Little League players during halftime.

The Little Leaguers from West O'ahu captured the state's first Little League world championship for 11- and 12-year-olds with a 7-6 win over Curacao in extra innings this past Sunday. The O'ahu All-Stars won the Cal Ripken World Series (12 and younger) title with a 1-0 win over Mexico on Aug. 22.

"It was awesome, just seeing the players and (Hawai'i coach) June Jones," West O'ahu manager Layton Aliviado said. "He said good job, to enjoy yourselves.

"It was good for the kids. They are happy just to be on the sidelines and field, to see them warming up."

The players of West O'ahu greeted the crowd by removing their baseball caps and bowing to acknowledge all four sides of the stadium during halftime, and were received warmly by the fans, including one who held a sign that said, "Put Fe'ao In," in reference to pitcher/infielder Vonn Fe'ao.

"It was really exciting to meet the UH players," said catcher Michael Memea, who hit the title-winning home run.

"They told us congratulations for winning," said Memea, a cousin of freshman defensive lineman Rocky Savaiigaea.

"It was pretty cool," Fe'ao said.

It was also "cool" for the Cal Ripken players, who played an impromptu game of catch with Carroll.

"He's one of the best coaches in the nation," said shortstop Timmy Arakawa. "That's a pretty awesome experience."

Carroll also posed for pictures with the Cal Ripken team.

"He's a real nice guy," O'ahu All-Star manager Gerald Oda said. "You know that kind of thing doesn't happen too often. It was cool. The coaches had a good time, so I'm sure the kids had a blast."

Arakawa called the UH players, "huge," and added, "they squeezed your hand, and it couldn't even fit in their hands."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.