CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- More than 10,000 people jammed into the Southwestern College football stadium Friday night to celebrate the Park View Little League All-Stars championship at the Little League World Series.

The boys arrived at Devore Stadium atop a Ladder Truck 57 of the Chula Vista Fire Department and walked to a stage behind their championship banner, accompanied by the team's theme song, "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond.

The rally was originally planned for Memorial Park but moved because of the expected large crowd.

"It's fantastic to see so much support as we welcome home the Blue Bombers, the 2009 Little League World Series champions," Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox said. "When Chula Vista wants to throw a party, everybody pitches in."

The stage was filled with dignitaries, from numerous local, state and federal elected officials to representatives of sponsors to former San Diego Padres Phil Nevin and Randy Jones.

"They were persistent, they always stayed positive," Jones said about the players.

Jones said the players will take batting practice at Petco Park before the team's Sept. 12 game against the Colorado Rockies.

The Park View squad, nicknamed the Blue Bombers, defeated a team from San Antonio, 12-2, last Saturday for the U.S. championship, then downed Taoyuan, Taiwan, 6-3, Sunday for the Little League World Series crown.

It's been a week of celebrations for the team. Rancho del Rey Middle School, which most of the players attend, held an assembly on Wednesday in honor of the team's victory.

The team returned to Chula Vista late Monday night to a raucous welcome at the Southwestern College football field. On Tuesday, they were invited to the San Diego Chargers football facility to watch practice.

The team also appeared on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" Thursday night.