Suspension lifted, Newport Little League players can play ball
A massive suspension that had sidelined more than 700 Little League baseball players in Newport Beach has been lifted and games will be allowed to resume.
A dispute between adults -- those in the league and those in the group that oversees it -- had resulted in the cancellation of two games for the young players.
Joe Jennings, a board member for Newport Beach Little League, told the Daily Pilot that the punishment seemed like an “extreme action that has been harsh for so many kids.”
District officials, who oversee the league and others in Orange County, handed down the suspension after determining that the league had too many coaches serving on its board of directors.
Jennings said five board members immediately resigned to bring the league into compliance -- but not soon enough to get the young players back on the field.
Some parents said the punishment came without warning and seemed overly harsh on the young players.
It was unclear whether the missed games will be made up.
Gregg Olson, a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who lives in Newport Beach, had gone to Twitter to ask for help.
“We need help in Newport Beach. Our Little League has been suspended without giving us a cause. We have 800 kids that will not be playing baseball.... We need help!” he tweeted.
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Steven Virgen writes for Times Community News.
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