Jackie Robinson West players visit the White House

WASHINGTON (WLS) -- U.S. Little League champs Jackie Robinson West and their coaches were the guests of President Obama and the first lady Thursday.

JRW players and coaches arrived at the White House in a formal version of their JRW finest.

PHOTOS: Jackie Robinson West players visit the White House

"This is awesome, I'm glad to be here because it's so big, but I'm scared I'm going to get lost!" said Darion Radcliff, a JRW player.

"This is very important because it's a great time in our young lives," said Lawrence Noble, a JRW player.

The Little League national champions actually made it to the Oval Office.

"I never imagined myself standing where the president stands every day," said Marquis Jackson, a JRW player.

This trip to Washington, D.C. tops an extraordinary season for these young Chicagoans.

They were happy just playing baseball. But they captured the attention of the nation and became hometown heroes this summer at the Little League World Series.

"I'm like a little kid in a candy store knowing that this will probably never happen for me again, so I definitely enjoyed every bit of it," said Coach Darold Butler.

The team also brought President Obama his own Jackie Robinson West glove.