https://www.huffpost.com/entry/black-player-cotton-little-league-world-series_n_6304b713e4b0e323a258ada8
Black Player Covered In Cotton By White Teammates At Little League World Series
White players were seen covering a Black teammate’s head with cotton at the Little League World Series, but league officials claimed Monday the admittedly “racially insensitive” optics weren’t what they seemed. (Watch the video below.)
The incident, shared on Twitter by HuffPost’s Philip Lewis, unfolded during the Major League Red Sox vs. Orioles Little League Classic game Sunday in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the Little League World Series is played.
ESPN cameras focused on members of the Davenport, Iowa, team ripping stuffing out of giveaway toys and sticking it on the Black player’s head.
“That’s just Little Leaguers being Little Leaguers,” one announcer said.
Social media lit up with complaints. Little League International officials investigated and said they concluded “there was no ill intent.”
“During the broadcast of the MLB Little League Classic, a Midwest player was shown with filling from a stuffed animal given away at the game on his head,” officials said in a statement. “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.”
“As only one player appeared on the broadcast, Little League International understands the actions could be perceived as racially insensitive,” the league statement continued. “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.”
Darren M. Haynes, sports anchor at WUSA9, mentioned the statement Monday but still had pointed words about the incident.
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