Little League Team That Beat Philly's Taney Dragons Stripped of National Title

The team that eliminated Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons from the Little League World Series has been stripped of their championship title for cheating.

Jackie Robinson West Little League of Chicago recruited outside of its boundaries, Little League International announced Wednesday.

The Taney Dragons, led by female pitcher Mo’ne, lost to the Chicago team in a double-elimination round during the 2014 tournament. During the Dragons’ meteoric rise, Mo’ne became the first Little Leaguer ever to make the cover of Sports Illustrated.

“The Jackie Robinson West Little League and Illinois District 4 Administrator knowingly violated Little League International Rules and Regulations by placing players on their team who did not qualify to play because they lived outside the team’s boundaries,” Little League International said in a statement Wednesday morning.

Mountain Ridge Little League of Las Vegas, the team Jackie Robinson beat in the championship game of the August tournament, has been awarded the title.

League officials met in Williamsport on Tuesday to discuss the issue. In December, Little League International said it was satisfied that no rules were broken. After new information was received regarding the secret boundary changes, the league reconsidered.

“For more than 75 years, Little League has been an organization where fair play is valued over the importance of wins and losses,” Little League International CEO Stephen D. Keener said in a statement. “This is a heartbreaking decision. 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, but it is unfortunate that the actions of adults have led to this outcome.”

(This story includes reporting from Beverly-Mount Greenwood Patch)