Jackie Robinson West hailed by suburban fans
Jackie Robinson West players were treated like national champions at a Black History Month celebration in Northbrook.
About 300 fans from across the suburbs filled North Suburban YMCA's gymnasium Saturday for the fun-filled event that included a free hot dog lunch, a multimedia presentation about Robinson and a question-and-answer session with nine players.
Rochelle Singer, chair of the Northbrook Community Relations Commission's Black History Month subcommittee, told the crowd that questions would not be accepted regarding last week's Little League International ruling to strip Jackie Robinson West of last summer's U.S. championship.
Singer said the day was about supporting boys who played with skill, spirit, good sportsmanship and dedication to baseball. The village's Black History Month subcommittee arranged the Jackie Robinson West appearance before the team lost its title.
“Our committee never had any doubt we were going through with our event,” Singer said. “It's a Black History Month event. Why would we cancel it?”
Jackie Robinson West players, coaches and families entered the gym with Survivor's “Eye of the Tiger” playing amid cheers. After the presentation on major league baseball's first black player, the boys took their seats in front of the crowd under a screen with the graphic “Q&A With Our Champs Jackie Robinson West.”
With Black History Month subcommittee member Crystal Cartwright moderating, the boys discussed meeting President Barack Obama at the White House, their favorite school subjects and more.
Center fielder D.J. Butler drew lots of laughs when he spoke about the White House.
“It was all old and ancient looking,” D.J. said. “The only good room was the Oval Office.”
Some children in the crowd were thrilled by having their pictures taken with a Jackie Robinson West player after correctly answering trivia questions.
Lake Zurich resident Donna LaBarbera was among those in the crowd and said she was glad the day stayed positive. She brought her 13-year-old daughter Kayley and son Joey, 10.
“I thought it was cool just to see them, knowing that they're famous and stuff,” Kayley said after the program. “I thought it was really cool and fun.”
The team from Chicago's South Side was stripped of its national championship because of what Little League officials said were violations of player boundary rules. The probe began when a suburban coach alleged Jackie Robinson West broke the rules by poaching top players from nearby suburbs.