Boerne Little League skips court-ordered replay and proceeds to World Series

Boerne Little League will not return to Waco for the Southwest Region championship game on Tuesday, opting instead to prepare for the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The team has the support of Little League International’s legal counsel and does not intend to comply with a temporary court order that would have required a replay against Tulsa National Little League.

Little League International maintains that it has authority over player eligibility and forfeiture decisions and is ready to defend its position. Boerne is scheduled to begin World Series play on Aug. 21.

The dispute began after Boerne defeated Ascension Parish Little League 4-1 on Monday, a result that was treated as the regional championship following the disqualification of Tulsa National for fielding an ineligible player. Tulsa National obtained a temporary restraining order from Judge Ryan Luna, which would have reinstated the Oklahoma team and set up a new championship game.

Because many Boerne players had already left Waco and would have needed to adjust their pitching roster, the organization chose not to return for the Tuesday match. Tulsa National’s statement indicated that the winner should be decided on the field.

The situation continues to develop as both leagues assess the legal and logistical implications.