Little League International has decided to disband the six-team district that included Jackie Robinson West, which was stripped of the U.S. Championship last month after the parent league ruled ringers were brought in from outside approved boundaries.
In the aftermath, District 4 was left without a leader, as former administrator Mike Kelley was removed from office for his alleged part in the cheating scandal.
“After a thorough review of operations within Illinois District 4 and in consultation with local volunteers, the Little League International Charter Committee has decided to dissolve Illinois District 4 and assign the leagues that were previously a part of the district to neighboring Little League Districts,” Little League spokesman Brian McClintock told DNAinfo Chicago.
Little League's decision means Near South, Bronzeville and JRW Little League will join Illinois District 12, which includes leagues on the North and West sides of Chicago.
South Side, Roseland and Rosemoor leagues will be added to District 7, which represents leagues from the city and south suburbs.
“This decision allows the local Little League programs in the area to continue with their operations under veteran, established district leadership and to continue to provide quality Little League experiences for the children in their communities,” McClintock said. “Local League and District officials were informed of the decision, and all volunteers are encouraged to continue to prepare for a great 2015 season.”
In a letter to league presidents, Central Region Director Nina Johnson-Pitt wrote, “This decision allows your league and the other local Little League programs in the area to continue with their operations under veteran, established district leadership.”
TIMELINE OF KEY DATES IN THE JACKIE ROBINSON WEST STORY
On Wednesday, DNAinfo Chicago reported District 4 league officials were against dissolving the district and wanted to select a new administrator and keep going. Roseland Little League President Maurice Johnson told DNAinfo Chicago, “If they split us up, Roseland is no longer with Little League.”
Johnson did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday afternoon.
JRW's future with Little League also remains in question.
DNAinfo Chicago first reported Wednesday that ousted JRW leader Bill Haley is considering moving the league his late father founded to the Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth organizations.
Haley told representatives from the Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth youth baseball leagues that he felt betrayed by Little League, and he’s interested in playing ball under their organizations' banner and significantly expanding his Morgan Park-based league’s territory, sources said.
When Little League International officials stripped JRW of the U.S. title in February they also suspended the team’s manager Darold Butler, removed Kelley, and put JRW on probation until president Anne Haley and her son Bill Haley, who’s listed on tax documents as the league treasurer, were replaced.
Butler, Kelley and Bill Haley have not publicly denied Little League’s findings that they conspired to falsify documents and improperly expand boundaries to include homes that would verify their players’ eligibility.
Some officials from JRW sister leagues in District 4 said they believe Haley’s application to charter JRW in Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth organizations aims to keep him in control of the league and the more than $200,000 in donations the league received last year. And it allows him to poach talent from other South Side youth baseball programs.
Haley did not return a call seeking comment.
Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth league officials have not made a decision on whether to accept JRW's charter application.
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