STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Jackie Robinson West Team Sues Little League Over Stripped Title

Chicago squad claims race was factor in taking its 2014 championship.

It has been over four months since Little League International stripped Jackie Robinson West of its 2014 United States title after discovering that the Chicago squad had players who lived outside geographic boundaries.

Well, Jackie Robinson West isn't going down without a fight. On Wednesday, the Chicago team announced a lawsuit against Little League International's governing body, alleging that it improperly stripped young athletes on the team of their title, as reported by the Associated Press.

Victor Henderson, an attorney for the team, says race is a factor, pointing to the fact that all of Jackie Robinson West's players are Black.

"Do I think race is at play? Yes, I do think that it's at play at some level," Henderson told the AP during a press conference Wednesday as players on the team, their parents and coaches stood behind him. "Do I think that's the only reason? No, I do not."

"I can't tell you if Little League International looked at all the paperwork and all the paperwork of other teams...because they haven't talked to me," he added. "We contacted Little League and said if there's information on these children, on these parents, you've received, please share it with us. The answer was no."

In February, Little League International claimed that the South Side Chicago squad illegally included players from outside geographic boundaries, which is against its rules, well after Jackie Robinson West defeated Las Vegas to win the national title at the Little League World Series.

Let's see how this lawsuit pans out. 

BET Sports News — Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports, including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes.

(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.