Boerne Little League defeated Ascension Parish Little League on Monday, winning the Southwest Region and punching its ticket to the Little League World Series … or so it thought.
Boerne’s celebration was suddenly marred in controversy after a judge granted a temporary restraining order on another team — Tulsa National — in the Southwest Regional which was previously removed from the tournament due to a player-eligibility issue, per News4SanAntonio.com.
Early Monday, Little League International announced Tulsa National had been removed from the Southwest Regional due to using an ineligible player. That meant that the contest between Boerne and Ascension Parish would count as the championship, with the winner advancing to the Little League World Series.
Boerne won that contest 4-1, believing it had punched its ticket to the Little League World Series.
But Tulsa National challenged in court its disqualification, and a judge granted a temporary restraining order later Monday. The decision essentially put Tulsa National back in the Southwest Regional, setting up a championship game between Tulsa National and Boerne on Tuesday.
The court’s decision, however, will not be obeyed by Little League International, which believes it has full authority over player eligibility and forfeits, per News4SanAntonio.com. Because of that, Boerne will move on to the Little League World Series.
Even if Little League International supported the idea of a championship game between Boerne and Tulsa National, two significant logistical issues would have needed to be solved in the hours before the contest.
The first of which involved families from Boerne who left town after beating Ascension Parish in preparation of heading to Williamsport for the Little League World Series. The second revolved around how Boerne would be allowed to utilize its pitchers after using some of its best players against Ascension Parish on Monday. With Boerne believing that game was the championship, it didn’t hesitate to use its best pitchers. Because of that, they wouldn’t be allowed to use those pitchers against Tulsa National on Tuesday.
But none of that is going to happen. Boerne reportedly has the full support of Little League International and will not return to Waco to play against Tulsa National. Instead, Boerne will prepare to travel to Williamsport and take part in the Little League World Series.
It’s unclear whether Little League International will face legal action for denying a court order. It’s also unclear where that leaves Tulsa National or what other avenues the team will explore in order to keep its Little League World Series hopes alive.
The Little League World Series is set to begin Aug. 19, which doesn’t leave much time for additional legal rulings and tournament changes.
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