A Tulsa Little League baseball team has been disqualified from the 2026 Little League Baseball Southwest Region Tournament following a protest that determined one of its players was ineligible. The Little League International Tournament Committee announced the decision on Monday, stating that the team has been removed from the tournament and its prior games will be recorded as forfeits.
The committee's ruling is final and binding. "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," a statement read. "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."
Three teams participating in the Southwest Region Tournament reportedly requested an investigation into the Tulsa team, according to Sports Illustrated. The complaint questioned whether the Tulsa National Little League operated its entire 2026 baseball program in compliance with Little League's rules and regulations for international tournament eligibility. Allegations included violations of 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).
The Little League organization did not disclose the identity of the player in question. The Southwest Region Tournament will now proceed with a one-game championship between the remaining teams, Texas West and Louisiana.