What Jackie Robinson West's Darold Butler should have said

Darold Butler needs to defend himself and his kids

Much has been said about the U.S. Little League World Series championship being stripped from once feel good story Jackie Robinson West. Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Andrew McCutchen gave his own unique perspective that further explained why there are so many shades of gray in the decision, rather than the black and white, they cheated nothing else matters, argument.

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Jackie Robinson West Manager Darold Butler has not spoken much since the title was stripped. He did offer these words:

"“I’m super proud of the boys and what they did,” Butler said. “They always will be champions in my eyes, and they’ll always be champions in a lot of people’s eyes. They did it on the field in between the lines, and I’m the proudest coach in the world to be a part of a group of 13 boys like that.””I’m still upbeat and happy like always. I’m still proud. That will never change.”"

I wish Butler would have gone further. For one, he did not take questions. I would have taken any and all and I would have had a prepared statement that would have read as follows:

“I am extremely disappointed in today’s decision to strip my team Jackie Robinson West of its U.S. title. However, the decision is irrelevant to myself and my kids. We gained so much over the summer and these past months that can never be taken away.

“We did bend the boundary rules to give these kids a chance to live a dream, to see another side of the world outside of the killings, under funded schools and general hopelessness that permeates so many in my community. I am not saying what I did was right, but I am also not willing to take it back and would do it again. We went to the White House, Grant Park, Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park and the United Center. Doors and eyes were opened for my kids that will hopefully last them a lifetime.

“This is a hard reality for all of us, but one that doesn’t take away the experiences we had. My kids still had to go out and win it on the field. We were decided underdogs against the Las Vegas team that beat us earlier in the tournament 13-2. We fought back from the losers bracket to beat Vegas after being down 3-0 in the 1st, 5-4 in the 5th. We didn’t have more talent. We didn’t have better equipment or fields to play on. We had more heart. We don’t need the Little League head offices to confirm that now or ever. The decision they made was probably the right one by the letter of the law, but I and my kids will always hold our heads high.”

Sports and morals have long gone out the window. From vacated wins to trophies returned , “deflategate” and “spygate” – bad examples are everywhere. Darold Butler can still teach another valuable lesson to his players because of the after the fact stripping of the title.

Tell them: “I opened a door for you because I believed in you and wanted to show you what you were capable of. Don’t let me down as you go forward in life. Realize your potential. Believe in yourself. Coach Butler will forever be watching.”

Aug 23, 2014; South Williamsport, PA, USA; Great Lakes Region manager Darold Butler (center) high fives catcher Brandon Green (14) during the game against the West Region at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 17, 2014; South Williamsport, PA, USA; Great Lakes Region manager Darold Butler (center) talks to his players in the first inning against the West Region at Lamade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

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What Jackie Robinson West’s Darold Butler should have said

By Mark Carman | Feb 16, 2015

Darold Butler needs to defend himself and his kids

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