Controversy!

The Little League Baseball World Series hasn't even started yet and we are already mired in controversy. With the bracket play games just a week away, teams in the US are still running through the qualifying rounds to see who is going to represent which region in each part of the tournament. As the title suggests though, it hasn't been without controversy. Just yesterday, we saw a team from Tulsa get disqualified after it was determined that parents and volunteers had not given adequate documentation proving the players lived in the areas they are required to.

This isn't a new thing, we have seen things like this happen in school athletics time and again. In fact, they have changed the rules over the years to accommodate both sides in matters like this. It makes sense, otherwise, you could have a totally stacked team by manipulating residency and stuff like that. If there is any way to gain an advantage, you know people are going to look for it and abuse it.

After the disqualification, it was determined that the next two teams would play a game to see who would advance to the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania. In the aftermath of that game, Texas West won the game and was getting ready to pack their bags for the trip up north.

However, the parents reached out to a judge and were able to get a restraining order which has frozen the disqualification and put everything in a bit of a limbo. Oddly enough, this isn't the first time this organization has faced scrutiny over documentation issues which kind of makes you think there might be a bit more to this story.

I mean I can see how there might be a misunderstanding that leads to a mistake like this, but when you have been caught doing it in the past, it seems pretty clear that you are shady.

So as of right now, Tulsa gets to play for the chance to be in the LLWS. I think the best outcome here would be that they get their butts handed to them by the other team. However, if they have been stacking their roster illegally, it might not matter too much. The sad part is, due to the underhanded tactics by the adults, even if they do make it to the tournament, their run is going to be marred. There will be a lot of scrutiny and a big fat asterisk next to their name in any part of the bracket.

Another thing to point out is that when Texas West played what they thought was their final game, they used their top pitchers to get them the win. Those pitchers are now ineligible to play for this game they suddenly have to play against Tulsa. Seems like if they are willing to let Tulsa play despite their cheating, they should wave that rule for West Texas.

It's going to be interesting to see how this all unfolds.

My Sports Account - @bozz.sports

Come hang out in The Pub