Jackie Robinson West residency investigation reopened
Little League International officials were presented with new information recently that prompted further review of Jackie Robinson West, the United States champion at the 2014 Little League World Series, according to the Associated Press.
Jackie Robinson West was under investigation by organization officials late last year after an official with a suburban athletic organization alleged the league added some suburban players to its roster. After studying the case, the organization announced it found no residency rules violations, adding that it would reopen the investigation if new evidence was presented.
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Mark Konkol of DNAInfo.com in Chicago reports that during a conference call with the presidents of the leagues in Chicago’s District 4, Little League officials were presented with new details that included the following:
• "Firsthand" verification that all District 4 league presidents had agreed on "clearly defined" boundaries in 2013 — the season before Jackie Robinson West leaders secretly expanded their territory to overlap existing leagues.
• Confirmation that South Side, Rosemoor and Roseland league presidents did not approve any changes made to Jackie Robinson West’s 2014 boundaries that infringed on their territory, protected under charter agreements with Little League International.
• After winning the U.S. Championship, Jackie Robinson West officials, with help from district administrator Kelley, made a failed attempt to ask sister leagues to agree to boundary changes that already had been filed with Little League International without their permission.
Little League spokesman Brian McClintock told the AP that the organization's officials met Tuesday to discuss "possible resolutions" regarding Jackie Robinson West and said a final decision will likely be made this week. He declined to say whether the team is in danger of being stripped of its U.S. title.
Jackie Robinson West defeated Las Vegas to win the U.S. title before falling to Seoul Little League of Seoul, South Korea, in the world championship.
- Molly Geary
