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Little League Strips Chicago Team of U.S. World Series Title Amid Residency Questions

Little League International has stripped Chicago's Jackie Robinson West — the group of boys that eliminated Philadelphia's Taney Dragons — of its national title after finding the team falsified its boundary map.

The league made the announcement Wednesday morning, saying the Chicago team violated regulations by placing players on the team who didn't qualify because they lived outside the team's boundaries. Little League International also suspended Jackie Robinson West manager Darold Butler from league activity.

Representatives from Taney Little League had no comment about the developments.

The announcement comes after an investigation that started when a suburban coach alleged the Jackie Robinson West team violated rules by poaching top players from nearby suburbs.

Little League had said in December that an investigation into the Chicago team found no violations.

Jackie Robinson West's championship run captured the attention of the nation and turned the all-black team into heroes in their hometown.

Chicago won the U.S. title by beating a Las Vegas team from Mountain Ridge Little League 7-5. The Las Vegas coach, Ashton Cave, said Jackie Robinson West should be stripped of its title if the team broke the rules.

"There has to be some accountability," he said.

Cave said that rather than award his team the championship, Little League International could send a more powerful and lasting message by simply leaving the space blank where the championship team is listed.

"I think if they do that, it will always be a message in the world of youth sports: If you bend the rules there is going to be a consequence," he said.

The stirring run to the Little League World Series by the all-black team captured national attention and united Chicago, which remains one of the nation's most segregated cities. The Cubs watched JRW play during a rain delay and cheered them on while Mayor Rahm Emanuel organized all-city watch parties. The Rev. Jesse Jackson said his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition would take the boys to Disney World.

After falling to South Korea in the world championship game, Jackie Robinson West was feted with a parade and a visit to the major league World Series and the White House, where they met President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Taney Dragons released a statement on the decision to strip Jackie Robinson West's title.

Over the course of the Little League World Series, Taney Little League players, along with so many of the players from the other 14 teams, developed a great and lasting friendship with the Jackie Robinson West kids. The camaraderie that formed over the course of the tournament among all of the teams was, and continues to be, the most memorable outcome of the entire LLWS experience.

The decision by Little League International will in no way affect the level of respect that we have for the JRW players. On the field, they competed with discipline and class, and played the game the right way. Off the field, they carried themselves as gentleman and represented their city and families well. They should be proud of their accomplishments.

We thank Little League for the incredible lessons, friendships, and lifelong memories that our players gained from the LLWS experience.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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