Fans of the Little League World Series and neutral observers alike have responded with outrage to a video that shows one of the teams covering a Black player with cotton pulled from stuffed toys.
The video, taken from the ESPN broadcast of Sunday’s Little League Classic game between the Orioles and Red Sox, depicts several white players on the Midwest team (represented this year by Davenport, Iowa) covering their Black teammate’s hair with cotton.
Karl Ravech, the announcer for ESPN’s broadcast of the game, can be heard saying, “That’s just little leaguers being little leaguers right there. … Why not, right? When in Rome.”
Here’s video from the broadcast: pic.twitter.com/CTUJ2hVg2A
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 22, 2022
The video has sparked controversy and outrage by those who witnessed it, either live or as it circulated on social media. Many critics of the action drew parallels between it and the United States’ history of using slave labor to produce cotton.
Why did you say “boys will be boys” as the COACH and players stuffed cotton onto the Black teammates head/hair? Is this the type of blatant racism you and your @espn @LittleLeague are okay with? What an absolute failure by you all to protect him. A disgrace. pic.twitter.com/IdgjGJTNqp
— President Kamala’s Hand (Again) (@myronjclifton) August 22, 2022
White players putting cotton on a black teammates head sparks outrage on social media
Here’s my take:@wusa9 pic.twitter.com/3Mcca810fn
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) August 23, 2022
The player whose hair is being covered in cotton sat idly while his teammates placed stuffing in his hair. Per the team’s Little League roster, he is one of only two Black players on the Midwest team.
Little League World Series response to video
Little League International on Monday released a statement in response to the event, saying there was “no ill-intent behind the action.”
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. 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 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.
The Midwest team’s next game is at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday after the team won two straight elimination games to advance further in the Little League World Series.
Hits: 0
