Statement From The Little League Baseball International Tournament Committee

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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The following statement was issued today at 6:45 p.m. by Joseph W. Losch, chairman of the Little League Baseball International Tournament Committee:

The Tournament Committee convened today to discuss allegations that a number of players on the Harlem Little League team are not eligible for tournament play. The allegations center on residency.

It was clear to the Tournament Committee that the leadership of Harlem Little League failed in its responsibility to gather and submit the proper documents to Little League Baseball International before the start of the regular season. These documents, if submitted before or during the regular season, would have been acceptable at that time in establishing the eligibility of the players in question.

The Tournament Committee reviewed all of the facts involved, and interviewed the families and other persons personally involved. The families also provided documentation. Based on the information provided, the Tournament Committee has decided to uphold the eligibility of the players in question. A protest lodged earlier today by the Lehigh Little League of Bethlehem, Pa., has been denied. The Harlem Little League team is fully eligible.

Because of Little League Baseball’s longstanding policy to never reveal the addresses or other personal information on any participant, we will not discuss any specifics of this inquiry. We ask that the media respect the privacy of the youngsters on this team, and refrain from making inquiries of the team, the manager or coaches on this subject.