Tough Blow! Jackie Robinson West will officially vacate their wins
It was just a few months ago, these Little League sensations out of Chicago were recognized and awarded for their outstanding play in the 2014 Little League U.S. championship game. Climbing up the ranks and eventually ending the triumphant winning streak of Mo’ne Davis and her Taney Dragons, this team seemed like the sure ‘better’ squad of the championships.
In breaking news, the Jackie Robinson West of Chicago will officially vacate their wins in the Little League World series because of the use of ineligible players. Announced this morning by the Mountain Ridge Little League of Las Vegas, the punishment that will be handed down will include, all their wins in the Little League Series stripped, including their monumental win in the championship game. In a statement by the International CEO of the Little League Stephen D. Keener, he had this to say about the situation:
“For more than 75 years, Little League has been an organization where fair play is valued over the importance of wins and losses. This is a heartbreaking decision. What these players accomplished on the field and the memories and lessons they have learned during the Little League World Series tournament is something the kids can be proud of, but it is unfortunate that the actions of adults have led to this outcome.”
He later added:
“As our Little League operations staff learned of the many issues and actions that occurred over the course of 2014 and prior, as painful as this is, we feel it a necessary decision to maintain the integrity of the Little League program. No team can be allowed to attempt to strengthen its team by putting players on their roster that live outside their boundaries.”
The Little League International believe that the Jackie Robinson West organization used false boundary maps to enter the 2014 tournament. JRW manger Darold Butler has recently been suspended from all Little League activity and Illinois District 4 Administrator Michael Kelly has been removed from his position. The JRW organization is currently on probation and suspended from activity until a new treasurer and president are elected.
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