Taney Dragons now stand as top inner-city Little Leaguers

When two inner-city teams from Philadelphia and Chicago reached the apex of Little League baseball last summer, it was hailed as a monumental achievement for the game's urban growth. But after Chicago was stripped of its U.S. championship Wednesday, there was little to celebrate.

Jackie Robinson West "knowingly violated" regulations by recruiting players from outside the league's approved geographic boundaries, Little League officials found. The U.S. title was awarded to the team from Las Vegas that lost to Chicago in the championship game.

"This is a heartbreaking decision," Little League International president Stephen D. Keener said in a statement.

The Taney Dragons lost to both Chicago and Las Vegas in the double-elimination tournament.

Little League officials conducted two investigations into Jackie Robinson West - the first, in September, started with a tip from a league official in a neighboring district - and discovered that boundary maps for multiple leagues had been altered.

The team's manager, Darold Butler, was suspended from Little League activity. Other district administrators were removed or disciplined.

"What these players accomplished on the field and the memories and lessons they have learned during the Little League World Series tournament is something the kids can be proud of," Keener said, "but it is unfortunate that the actions of adults have led to this outcome."

Parents connected with the Taney program opted to stay out of the controversy.

Steve Bandura, father of Taney catcher Scott, coached the Anderson Monarchs, where many of Taney's players got their start in Little League. He declined to comment on the news.

So did Quyen Shanahan, mother of outfielder Tai, who said, "It's an unfortunate thing, but that's their business."

Later Wednesday, the team issued a statement:

"The decision by Little League International will in no way affect the level of respect that we have for the JRW players. On the field, they competed with discipline and class, and played the game the right way. Off the field, they carried themselves as gentlemen and represented their city and families well. They should be proud of their accomplishments."

This was not the first time a team has forfeited wins in the Little League World Series' 68-year history. A Philippine team was disqualified in 1992, as was a team from the Bronx in 2001, when pitcher Danny Almonte was discovered to be two years older than rules allowed.