Little League World Series finds 'no ill-intent' after Iowa team placed stuffing on Black teammate's head
The Little League World Series said it found “no ill-intent” after players from the Iowa team were seen on video sticking stuffing that many felt looked like cotton on the head of a Black player.
On Sunday during the Little League Classic game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, players from Iowa’s Little League World Series team started pulling the stuffing out of toys and sticking it on the head of a Black teammate.
The scene was shown on ESPN’s broadcast, and drew harsh backlash almost immediately.
Here's video from the broadcast: pic.twitter.com/CTUJ2hVg2A
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 22, 2022
The Little League World Series investigated the incident, and said on Monday that it found “no ill-intent” after speaking with the team, the player involved and his mother.
“After speaking with the team, as well as reviewing photos, multiple players on the Midwest Region team were taking part in this while enjoying the game,” the Little League World Series said in a statement, via the Huffington Post’s Philip Lewis. “As only one player appeared on the broadcast, Little League International understands that the actions shown could be perceived as racially insensitive. We have spoken with the player’s mother and the coaches, who have assured us that there was no ill-intent behind the action shown during the broadcast.”
Iowa’s Little League team, which hails from Davenport, will play again on Tuesday night against Texas. The championship game is set for Sunday.
