LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- More than 1,000 fans cheered Little League's newest champions at a parade Monday.

The 11 and 12-year-old Louisville team members started at their home field and rode along Main Street to Slugger Field downtown.

''It must be so cool to be 12 years old and have all that adulation,'' Patsy Dotson said.

The players appeared tired as they gathered on a stage in front of Slugger Field -- home of the Triple-A Louisville Bats -- with Mayor Dave Armstrong.

The team, led by Aaron Alvey and Zach Osborne, defeated Sendai, Japan, 1-0 Aug. 25 to take the world title.

''Today is about 12 young men who have represented this community better than any twelve young men I can think of,'' Armstrong said. ''Only in the USA can we have twelve young men go all the way and defeat the world champions.''

Valley Sports is the first U.S. team to win the title since Toms River, N.J., beat Kashima, Japan, 12-9 in 1998.

The team was presented with gifts from the city and autographed boxing gloves from Muhammad Ali. Team members Justin Elkins and Wes Walden did not attend because they were sick.