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Little League Baseball is on fire even before the big days in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Little League on Monday ruled that Tulsa National Little League’s 12U team had an ineligible player on the roster and booted it from the Southwest Region Tournament, the final stop before the Little League World Series.
However, a Texas judge reinstated the team just hours later through a temporary restraining order, despite Little League saying its decision was “final and binding.”
A general view of the large baseball decoration at Lamade Stadium. (Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports)
Thus, Tulsa National Little League is set to face Boerne Little League, representing Texas West, on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET in Waco, with a trip to Williamsport on the line.
Little League initially ruled that Boerne Little League’s Monday game against Louisiana (Ascension Parish Little League) would be for the Southwest championship — Boerne won 4-1 and celebrated on the field, thinking it had just earned a trip to every child’s dream.
However, it now must play one more game against a team with an ineligible player.
Little League did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Judge [Ryan] Luna made the right decision to give the boys an opportunity to play the game and decide everything on the field,” Tulsa National’s attorney, Christian Dennie, said, via News on 6. “These boys are ball players and ball players do just that — play ball.
Taiwan lines the third baseline as Lake Mary, Fla., lines the first baseline during team introductions before the Little League World Series Championship game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
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“Legally, I find it surprising that an esteemed organization would withhold the protest documentation from this ball club and decide their fate in a cloak of darkness. Simply put, the law does not allow for arbitrary and capricious actions.”
Little League said its decision came after “a recent protest related to the eligibility of players on the Tulsa National Little League Baseball team.” It is not clear which player is ineligible, nor is the reason. Tulsa National Little League’s softball team was recently removed from the Little League Softball Southwest Region Tournament for a separate eligibility case.
“To uphold the integrity of the International Tournament and provide an opportunity for every team, community, and, most importantly, child, to have a fair and equitable experience, Little League International relies on adult volunteers and parents to adhere to our Rules, Regulations, and Operating Policies,” Little League said in its announcement.
A general view of signage before the Little League World Series Championship Game between the Asia-Pacific Region team from Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei and the Southeast Region team from Lake Mary, Fla., at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on Aug. 25, 2024, in South Williamsport, Pa. (Getty Images)
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“Little League International is committed to supporting all children impacted by this decision and will continue to provide support and administrative guidance to the families in Tulsa National Little League.”
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