Player With Cerebral Palsy Reinstated After Outcry

A 15-year-old Little League baseball player with cerebral palsy, who had been kicked off the team for violating an age rule, was reinstated Friday after the organization’s national office intervened.

“I think Little League baseball’s for kids, and these adults just have to ruin the fun of it,” said Judi Church, before it was decided that her son, Tucker, would be allowed to play in the Sharpstown Little League Pirates’ last game of the season.

Tucker, who weighs just 56 pounds, was kicked off the team and his coach was forced to resign this week when another team competing for the same playoff spot complained about the player’s presence on a team for 9- to 12-year-olds.

Coach Scott Davis said when he saw the 4-foot-9 youngster try out for the 13- to 15-year-old team, he knew he would not be able to make the cut. So Davis put him on the Pirates, a team composed of 9 to 12-year-olds.

“I knew the age rule, but in my heart I just couldn’t see this kid not play baseball,” Davis said. “He loves it so much.”

After league officials forced Tucker and Davis off the team, the Little League national office in Williamsport, Pa., was flooded with calls about the matter Friday. Officials there ruled Tucker could play if he presented a doctor’s note that said he would be safer playing on the team of younger boys.

Tucker had such a letter but did not want to play because Davis was not going to be allowed to coach. Then, Sharpstown Little League president Lercy Simoneaux reinstated Davis.

Tucker’s team lost, 13-4. His teammates carried him off the field.