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.”
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.
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.”
Further context to what happened was provided by K.E. Ganshert, who snapped photos of other players participating, as well as more information about the situation.
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.
There is more context to the story, as well.
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.
