Little League disbands Jackie Robinson West's district
Little League International has disbanded Illinois District 4, which included Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West, the Chicago Tribunereports.
In January, Little League stripped Jackie Robinson West of its United States championship at the 2014 Little League World Series after organizers of the team knowingly violated residency rules. An investigation found that the team used an inaccurate boundary map and met with outside neighborhoods and districts in Illinois to recruit players to build a competitive team.
Jackie Robinson West became the first all-African-American squad to win the U.S. title, beating Mountain Ridge Little League from Las Vegas before losing the international championship against South Korea. In its place, Mountain Ridge was awarded the 2014 championship.
“This decision allows the local Little League programs in the area to continue with their operations under veteran, established district leadership and to continue to provide quality Little League experiences for the children in their communities,” Little League spokesman Brian McClintock said in a statement.
According to the report, the six teams in District 4 will be assigned to different districts. Near South, Bronzeville and Jackie Robinson West will join Illinois District 12, and South Side, Rosemoor and Roseland would join Illinois District 7, according to a new plan.
- Scooby Axson
