Little League scandal saddens locals

Canfield lost twice to team stripped of title

Staff report

In his 15 years as Ohio’s Little League District Two president, Gary Williams has overseen the redrawing of a community’s boundary.

But it never happened in the Mahoning Valley once tournaments began.

“I didn’t think [a Little League] controversy would happen again,” Williams said Wednesday after Little League International stripped Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West of the U.S. title it won last summer.

Williams was referring to the 2001 Little League World Series when pitcher Danny Almonte helped his team from The Bronx finish third. After the tournament for 11-and-12-year-olds, it was revealed that Almonte was 14.

A Little League investigation revealed that the 2014 Chicago team changed its community map after the team began winning. The team included players who do not live within the original boundary.

“I’m sad — Little League is a great, great organization,” Williams said. “I can’t figure why somebody would cheat like that.”

He’s not alone. George Beck, the head coach of Canfield’s 11-12 state champions, who lost twice to Jackie Robonson West at the regional, is disheartened about the situation.

“I’m very sad and disappointed,” Beck said. “After we lost to them in the regional, our team was cheering for them to win so that we could say we at least lost to the United States champions.”

Darold Butler, Jackie Robinson West’s manager, has been suspended from Little League and Illinois District administrator Michael Kelly was relieved of his duties.

Beck said he feels bad for the kids on the Illinois and Great Lakes regional representatives.

“I have no hard feelings towards the kids,” Beck said. “They were very polite and I had no issues with them.

“It’s just unfortunate for the kids. The adults should be setting the right example for the kids.”

Williams said boundaries can be changed, but the rules are clear it has to be done before the umpire first shouts, “Play ball!”

Williams said the Canfield boundary was extended west in 1999 to include Berlin Center, which did not have a Little League program. Canfield’s 14-year-old softball team, which won the Ohio title and finished third in the regional, included a player from Berlin Center.

Williams said the Jackie Robinson West changed map probably should have been caught at the state level.

“I’m surprised it got that far,” Williams said.

Beck said he had first heard about possible violations in December.

“Nothing like this has happened around here as far as I’m aware of,” Beck said. “I know where all my kids live and what schools they go to.”

“You have to keep the integrity of the game intact,” Beck said.

Beck has not spoken to his players about the situation but he spoke to several parents.

“They feel the same as I do, just very sad,” he said.

While he didn’t want to speculate what would have happened had Jackie Robinson not been at the regionals, Beck believes the outcome could have been different.

“It’s a shame for the kids,” Beck said. “I feel we have been cheated out of an opportunity of a lifetime.”