Scandal

Yesterday, Little League International stripped Jackie Robinson West of its national title for using players outside its district.  In other words, they cheated.

What most people don’t realize is that the Little League World Series consists of all-star teams from the various districts; I doubt if a majority of people watching the Series on ESPN knew that.  They assumed, as most Chicagoans did, that the players on Jackie Robinson West had been together all season and fought their way to the Series.  No, it’s not like the 2005 Sox—or 1908 Cubs—slogging through 150-plus games to reach the playoffs; it’s more like the American League and National League All-Stars facing off in the Series.  That takes some of the romance out of it.

Jackie Robinson West (the name is synonymous with a district or league) apparently took players from outside its district to put on its all-start team for tournament play.  That’s clearly wrong.  The only defense I can see working is “Everyone does it.”  If so, social media will serve as the defense attorney for JRW.  Personally, I root for the underdog, and Chicago is always the underdog.

The only silver lining right now is that the scandal doesn’t do any favors for ESPN.  Like I said in the summer, these are kids playing, not pros.  To confuse the one with the other helps no one, least of all kids.