An undefeated record meant nothing for a little league softball team that fell short in the sportsmanship game.
Atlee Little League softball was headed to the Junior League World Series until they were disqualified after a few members of the team posted a Snapchat photo of themselves giving the middle finger to their competitors – Kirkland American Little League from Washington.
According to a report from Huffington Post, the Little League International Tournament Committee made their decision just hours before Atlee was supposed to take the field in the world series.
Little League spokesman Kevin Fountain said the picture violated the organization’s policies, “regarding unsportsmanlike conduct, inappropriate use of social media, and the high standard that Little League International holds for all its participants.”
Kirkland, the team Atlee beat to advance, will take Atlee’s place in the Junior World Series.
Atlee Jr League ball team. Coach should man up & support the disqualify decision. I feel sorry for the rest of team NOT in middle finger pic pic.twitter.com/NKBknrjEX6
— Sue Pseudio (@sue_pseudio) August 6, 2017
Chris Mardigian, head coach for Atlee, told RVA Sports Network that the girls in the photo were responding to harassment they’d endured from Kirkland during the tournament they’d been playing in. A Kirkland baserunner was ejected for stealing signals from the Atlee team and giving them to their batter.
A Kirkland coach was also ejected from the game, the Times-Dispatch reported.
