Little League Team Picture Features Players And Coaches ‘Flipping The Bird,’ Incites WV Community – UPDATED

A little league photo taken in West Virginia has left many parents and community members up in arms. In the photo, the adolescent boys, who play for Jefferson County Little League baseball, as well as at least one coach, are giving the middle figure to the camera. They are posed in rows underneath the scoreboard in what appears to be a team photo. A concerned grandmother posted the picture on Facebook. Sharon Wilt was at the game and watched the photo being taken, and she called it a “disgrace.”

“Worse [sic] case of sportsmanship I think I have ever seen. Jefferson County Little League, are you going to allow this? I was at this game as a grandparent and to watch the team and the coach’s [sic] flip off South Berkeley Little League is a disgrace to Jefferson County!”

Posted just 24 hours ago, her concerned post and photo has amassed 841 shares, and the whole community seems to have an opinion on the matter. The reason for the middle finger is not clear, as apparently Jefferson County won the game against South Berkeley Little League, which is located in Inwood, West Virgina. Some say the photo was “just for fun,” but for boys that are well underage, many feel it is inappropriate no matter the reason. Many concerned parents and others flooded the Little League’s page on Facebook with the pictures and comments, but they were removed. Citizens are calling for the termination of Jefferson County Little League from the tournament and for the coaches to lose their positions as well.

A woman from as far away as Bakersfield, California commented on the picture.

“Do not get me started on Little League! It’s the same, no matter where you are, but this is terrible. Not surprising, but awful nonetheless.”

Many posted that the primary purpose of Little League and children’s sports teams are to build teamwork, good sportsmanship, and cooperation, as well as learn the sport and be mentored by a coach who hopefully is a good role model. Citizens felt the photo demonstrated a lack of respect for the other team, the spectators, and the players themselves. Many others stated this was not an individual team problem, but a problem with children’s sports everywhere – that it raises a larger question about what exactly is the purpose of children’s leagues and what are we hoping to teach our children?

No action thus far has been made to remove the coaches or remove the team from the tournament.

UPDATE June 27, 2015: The team has been completely dismantled by Jefferson County Little League. In a statement issued yesterday, they cancelled the tournament game today, removed the manager and coaches indefinitely, and removed each player from the team. They apologized and said this not what Jefferson County Little League represents, and that a statement would be coming from the headquarters at a later date. The senior little league has the right to rebuild their time per guidelines, but with all new management, coaches and players.

[Lead image via Shutterstock / In-line photo by Sharon Wilt/Facebook]