A Tulsa Little League baseball team was kicked out of the 2026 Little League Baseball Southwest Region Tournament after it was ruled that one of its players was ineligible.
The decision was announced on Monday by the Little League International Tournament Committee after a protest was filed over the eligibility of players on the Tulsa team. The team has been removed from the regional tournament and their previous games have now been changed to a forfeit.
The committee’s ruling is final and binding, the statement read.
“Following a recent protest related to the eligibility of players on the Tulsa National Little League Baseball team, the Little League International Tournament Committee has determined that a player who participated on the team during the International Tournament is ineligible,” the statement read. “To uphold the integrity of the International Tournament and provide an opportunity for every team, community, and, most importantly, child, to have a fair and equitable experience, Little League International relies on adult volunteers and parents to adhere to our Rules, Regulations, and Operating Policies. Little League International is committed to supporting all children impacted by this decision and will continue to provide support and administrative guidance to the families in Tulsa National Little League.”
The Little League Baseball Southwest Region Tournament will determine a winner with a one-game championship between Texas West and Louisiana.
The organization did not provide further details about who the player was.
Three teams taking part in the Southwest Region Tournament asked Little League to investigate the Tulsa team, according to a report published by Sports Illustrated.
According to the complaint, SI reported, the three teams wanted Little League to look into “whether Tulsa National Little League operated its entire 2026 baseball program in compliance with Little League Regulations, Playing Rules, Operating Policies, Charter Requirements and Player Eligibility Requirements required for International tournament eligibility.”
It also alleged that the Tulsa squad had violated the Sibling Participation Regulation II(a)(1), League Eligibility, Pitching more than one game in a day Regulation VI(k) and Completing a game Rule 4.10(c)(2).
