The Atlee Little Leaguers fell short of expectations as 12-year-olds.

Now, they're taking care of some unfinished business as 14s.

By cruising through the District 5, state and Southern Regional tournaments with a combined 14-0 record, manager Marty Johnson's squad is headed to the Junior World Series in Taylor, Mich.

Taylor is a suburb of Detroit named after Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of the United States.

Fresh off a regional title in Cartersville, Ga., Atlee opens world series play Sunday night at 8:15 against the Central Region. It will play four pool-play games against U.S. teams.

The top two in the U.S. and International pools advance to the semifinals of the 10-team event. The title game, set for Aug. 16, will be televised on ESPN at 5 p.m.

Two years ago, many of the same players felt a bit short-changed in losing in the District 5 final.

The '06 club won its opener, only to lose by forfeit when one player did not bat. LL rules require all players to hit at least once.

The '06 Atlee majors then won nine in a row before losing to Tuckahoe National (the eventual state champion) in the "if necessary" game.

"That same summer, we went as a team to Williamsport [Pa.] to watch the world series," Johnson said. "Our kids came away thinking, 'Hey, we can play with those guys.'"

This club has been on a mission. Most games have been won by the 10-run mercy rule. At states, Atlee outscored five foes 81-8, including Virginia Beach 23-3 in the final.

"When these kids take the field, they expect to win," Johnson said. "They're not stressed at all . . . lots of laughing and joking."

It helps that nine members of the team also play for the U-14 Old Dominion Owls. Last year, the Owls qualified for AAU nationals in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and posted a 4-2 record.

"We're used to winning and used to traveling," Johnson said.

Atlee added the regional title with a 3-1 win over Florida on Wednesday in Georgia. The team flew back to Richmond Wednesday night and was scheduled to fly to Detroit this morning.