Just ask the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick, cheaters never win.
The United States Little League Champion team Jackie Robinson West found that out the hard way. According to an article from SB Nation a rival coach, who lost to Jackie Robison West by a score of 43-2, called out the team for bringing in players from other regions of Chicago. Apparently that’s illegal. The Little League World Series officials announced they would be stripping the team of its title and giving it to Nevada’s Mountain Ridge team.
First of all, in no way do I think these kids—emphasis on kids—deserved to be shamed in this manner on a national stage. For the rest of their lives they will have to come to terms with the fact that at age 12 they were ridiculed and stomped on by the National Media for being cheaters. At age 12 I was wondering if I should put ham or turkey slices on my sandwich, so the emotional trauma for these players must be daunting. Also the coach that called up the LLWS officials is an emotional abyss. That guy goes home and makes a peanut butter and jealous sandwich every day.
But in no way does Jackie Robinson West deserve to keep their title. They literally went outside of the boundaries and grabbed players they are not allowed to have on their team. They broke the rules well outside of maybe putting some extra pine tar here or there. Their team was made of players that belonged to other teams. It’s akin to high school sports today in city areas. Many private high schools are offering ‘scholarships’ to inner-city athletes and they are dominating prep sports. Therefore inner-city high schools suffer to losing players that are usually their own. Let competition play out you cowards. Don’t create monopoly on sports.
Jackie Robinson West’s coach needs to be the face of this national dilemma. If the kids fall on the sword he does not deserve to call himself a Little League champion. In the meantime, congratulations on your title Nevada! Good luck against South Korea!
