When growing up, most kids always imagine themselves in the backyard hitting walk-off home runs or pitching no-hitters and perfect games. Those things, after all, get most - if not all - of the glory.
And because walk-off hits and no-hitters or perfect games are so often remembered by the final play, the defensive plays, or lack thereof, that got the game to that point often are lost in the shuffle.
For Vancouver, B.C., Canada, defense isn't an aspect of the game that gets lost at all - defense has been the driving factor behind a team that has soared above expectations.
"Defense has been stellar to get us to this point," Canada manager Vito Bordignon said. "It has kept us in all the games. We have made great plays all through the season."
Canada's defense has been the highlight of the team so far during this year's Little League World Series.
The defensive clinic started for Canada in just the third game of the Series, when it took on Mexico and center fielder Thomas Neal made a diving grab to save a run.
In that same game, Thomas' teammate, Carter Kada-Wong, made a diving catch in left field. The two catches later were featured as the top play on ESPN Sports Center's Top 10 Plays of the Day.
"Our defense has been the strongest part of our team," Bordignon said after Canada's win over Mexico. "It's something that was expected."
Neal made another diving snag in Canada's loss to Panama while Steven Moretto and Kada-Wong put on a show in a 4-3 loss to Curacao on Monday.
Moretto made two stellar defensive plays to open the game against Curacao. The first batter, Curacao's Ceddanne Rafaela, drove a would-be single up the middle. Moretto had other thoughts, though, making a diving stop up the middle before throwing a strike to first base from his knees to get Rafaela at first base.
On the next play, Moretto went deep into the hole between third base and shortstop before making another strong throw to first to rob Railison Bentura of a hit.
Not to be outdone by his teammate, Kada-Wong made his own attempt to get back into Sports Center's Top 10 with a diving catch that nearly was identical to his catch against Mexico.
Between Moretto, Kada-Wong and Neal, Canada has seen at least six plays of the highlight-reel variety.
The spectacular defense couldn't last forever, however, as Canada committed two errors in its loss to Curacao in Monday's elimination game.
"Our defense has been really good," Bordignon said. "We had a few lapses that cost us, but overall it keeps us in every game."
