CANARYVILLE — Little League and local officials are condemning a "major, major" brawl outside a Canaryville youth baseball park this week that was caught on video.
Around 50 adults were involved in the confrontation outside the Canaryville Little League ballpark, 455 W. 45th Place, after a playoff game around 6:30 p.m. Monday, police said. A 30-minute video of the incident shows a fraction of the crowd fighting, though at least one man used a bat to attack someone.
The fight lasted a few minutes, and police arrived shortly after, the video shows. Groups continued to yell at each other, at which point someone off screen yells: "Stop. Who needs an ambulance?"
No arrests were made, as officers "were unable to determine who the aggressor was," a police spokesman said. The investigation is ongoing, police said.
The incident was a continuation of an argument between parties that began at a game Friday night, said 11th Ward Ald. Patrick D. Thompson, who described it as a "major, major fight."
A security plan is being implemented around the ballpark, Thompson said.
In a statement, league officials said the parties involved in the fight have been banned from the facility and future league participation. They also said in the statement that security cameras will be installed around the facility, and that they are working with police to ensure "this rare incident does not take away the positive impact that our wonderful Little League has played here in Chicago."
"Although this event took place outside the fences of the Little League Ballpark and could happen anywhere, we simply do not tolerate people who do not know how to act in front of children at the Canaryville Little League," the statement said.
There are only a few games left in the season, officials said, depending on how the championship series play out. A police squad car was at some of Wednesday's nights games, as was Thompson, who said he went to "reassure everyone" that a security plan would be in place.
The ballpark is a community staple that has undergone tremendous renovations recently, and currently is building a concession stand and press box.
