An Oklahoma Little League team disqualified from the Southwest Region tournament in Texas because of an ineligible player has been granted a temporary restraining order, according to multiple reports, and will be able to play for a spot in the Little League Baseball World Series.
The Tulsa National Little League team received Monday’s order from Judge Ryan Luna of the 414th District Court, according to NewsOn6 in Tulsa, and KWTX in Waco, Texas, citing a news release from the league. As a result, the team of players 12 and under will be able to play Texas West on Tuesday in Waco with a berth in next week’s LLBWS on the line.
Earlier Monday, Little League International announced in a statement that the Tulsa team had been removed from the Southwest Region tournament. In declaring Tulsa’s previous game a forfeit, the association said that “to uphold the integrity of the international tournament and provide an opportunity for every team, community, and, most importantly, child, to have a fair and equitable experience, Little League International relies on adult volunteers and parents to adhere to our rules, regulations, and operating policies. Little League International is committed to supporting all children impacted by this decision and will continue to provide support and administrative guidance to the families in Tulsa National Little League.”
The forfeit allowed Texas West to defeat Louisiana 4-1 Monday in what was supposed to have been the region’s title game, after Tulsa had defeated Louisiana earlier in the tournament. But now Tuesday’s winner will punch a ticket to the LLBWS in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
“The winner of the game,” the statement from the Tulsa league read, “will be determined on the field where it should be decided.”
The LLBWS runs from Aug. 19-30, and features 20 teams, including 10 from the United States.
