West Dundee-based Tri-Cities Little League lost to Jackie Robinson West in the state championship. But now that Jackie Robinson West is being stripped of that title due to boundary violations, Tri-Cities becomes the new state champs. Pictured, from left to right, are Coach Matt Bubala, Liam Smith, David Guzman, Steve Kavanaugh, Jacob Asplen, Jack Bubala, Jack Mahoney, Max Warnke, Manager Tim Mahoney, Colin Konicek, Brock Lewis, John Ridle, Enrique Aramburo, Coach Wayne Asplen, Kevin Ahler and Jacob Rambo.
courtesy of Tim Mahoney
Suburban coach has no hard feelings toward Jackie Robinson West
West Dundee-based Tri-Cities Little League is the new state champion, now that Jackie Robinson West has been stripped of the title due to boundary violations by some of the team's players.
Tri-Cities coach Tim Mahoney said Wednesday he refuses to think “What if?” and harbors no hard feelings toward the South Side Chicago team, which beat Tri-Cities badly in two state championship games last July, by scores of 12-1 and 29-2.
“I'm just heartbroken for the Jackie Robinson West kids. ... This is a case where the adults did something wrong, and the kids did something right,” Mahoney said. “All you can ask for in athletics is an opportunity to go and compete, and we were given that. Everything else was way out of our control.”
The Tri-Cities Little League consisted of 13 12-year-old all-stars from across the league, which draws from Carpentersville, Algonquin and West Dundee.
Mahoney said his team had a wonderful experience meeting and competing against the Jackie Robinson West players, whom he described as “great ballplayers and great young men.”
The Tri-Cities players have fond memories of playing in the state championship, and the experience made them better people and players, Mahoney added.
As of Wednesday, there was no celebration planned for the Tri-Cities Little League team's new championship title.
“We didn't win, and that's OK,” Mahoney said. “But did we work our tails off to compete at our best level? If we're going to celebrate something, let's celebrate that.”
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Members of Tri-Cities Little League do a pregame huddle during a state championship game last July against Jackie Robinson West. Now that Jackie Robinson West has been stripped of the title due to boundary violations, Tri-Cities Little League is the new state champion.
ourtesy of Tim Mahoney
Tri-Cities players and coaches meet before the Little League state championship game against Jackie Robinson West. Tri-Cities lost the game but was given the state title Wednesday after Jackie Robinson West was stripped of the title for player boundary violations.
courtesy of Tim Mahoney
A view through the fence of the Little League state championship between Tri-Cities and Jackie Robinson West last July.
courtesy of Tim Mahoney
A member of the Tri-Cities team steps up during the award ceremony following the Little League state championship game against Jackie Robinson West last July. Jackie Robinson West won the championship, but on Wednesday that title was stripped because the team violated player boundary rules.
courtesy of Tim Mahoney
The Tri-Cities Little League team, based in West Dundee, is now the new state champion. Tri-Cities had lost to Jackie Robinson West in the championship game last summer, but the Chicago team was stripped of the title Wednesday.
courtesy of Tim Mahoney