The Jackie Robinson West Little League deserves to keep the 2014 National Championship title based on the players' hard work, talent, and good sportsmanship. They are a true testament to history in the making and it should not be taken away from them.

Jackie Robinson West Little League (JRW) has been a mainstay in the community of the south side of Chicago for many years. Veteran players can attest to the positive impact that the team made in their lives well into adulthood. Similar to the Boys and Girls Clubs, JRW has provided an outlet and safe haven for inner city youth over the years. The revocation of the 2014 National Championship title based on violations of district boundaries is unfair to the children; who are of no blame to the situation. While it may have been wrong to violate boundary rules, the coaches, volunteers and parents involved should in fact be celebrated for creating opportunities for these children. Chicago is such a segregated city in that there are very few opportunities in certain areas for certain families. Some of the children came from areas that may not have had sports or activities available to them.  Should we deny a child an opportunity to be great because he doesn't live in a certain neighborhood? How do we continue to develop our youth without access to the best of the best. How many parents who have the ability and means would knowingly deny their own child the chance to be great. This isn't a matter of the coaches poaching the best players in an effort to stack the deck. This is a matter of one team collaborating with the community to make a difference in the lives of children who never would have had the opportunity to experience any of the incredible things that this team experienced in 2014. Had it not been for JRW, some of the children would never have been exposed to different neighborhoods in Chicago, let alone different cities, and the opportunity to meet the President and First Lady of the United States. This championship united and entire city and it was hard work and talent that won, not districts and neighborhoods. These children deserve that win. What type of message are we sending them by revoking a title that they earned? Change does not occur unless there are to people speak up. We must speak up on behalf of Jackie Robinson West. 

Please sign this petition to urge the National Little League to Reinstate all wins from the 2014 Little League Baseball® International Tournament to the Jackie Robinson West Little League (JRW)