An American baseball coach gave his young team an inspiring, tear-inducing speech they'll probably never forget, after they were eliminated from the Little League World Series earlier this week.

Coach Dave Belisle's words to the Cumberland American All-Stars from Rhode Island were caught by ESPN cameras and microphones on Monday night, after the team lost to the Chicago team 8-7.

In video footage of the speech, Belisle is seen speaking to the group of visibly heartbroken little leaguers on the pitcher's mound, urging them to hold their heads high.

"Heads up high. Heads up high. I've gotta see your eyes, guys. There's no disappointment in your effort – in the whole tournament, the whole season. It's been an incredible journey," he says.

"We fought. Look at the score – 8 to 7, 12 to 10 in hits. We came to the last out. We didn't quit. That's us. Boys, that's us."

As the camera pans around the group, several of the young players can be seen breaking down into tears.

Belisle also tells the team about his feelings, admitting to them that he is also feeling sad, but for slightly different reasons.

"The only reason why I'll probably end up shedding a tear is that this is the last time I'm going to coach you guys. But I’m going to bring back with me, the coaching staff is going to bring back, you guys are going to bring back something that no one other team can provide – that's pride. Pride."

Belisle reminds the players of how far they went, noting that they had the "whole place jumping," because they fought to the very end and didn't quit.

"If everyone would play baseball like the Cumberland Americans, this would be the greatest game," he says.

As Belisle calls in the team for one more "big hug," his microphone picks up the sound of the players' tears. He then thanks them for all of their hard work.

"I love you guys. I'm gonna love you forever. You've given me the most precious moment in my athletic and coaching career, and I've been coaching a long time, a long time," he says.

"I'm getting to be an old man. I need memories like this. I need kids like this. You're all my boys. You're the boys of summer.

"So, for the last time, we're going to yell 'Americans': One, two, three- Americans!" he says, as the team comes in for a final group cheer.