In his first public comments since Jackie Robinson West was stripped of its U.S. Little League title, suspended manager Darold Butler refused to address allegations that he knowingly fielded ineligible players from outside the team's boundaries.
Speaking to reporters after a team meeting at a South Side church Wednesday night, Butler would only say he remained proud of the players who captured the heart of Chicago and much of the country this past summer.
"They played their tails off and the whole nation (saw) it. The whole nation loved 'em," Butler said. "Thanks for the support from not just the city but the nation, the state of Illinois. ... The boys appreciate everything, and they did their thing out there."
Butler was asked about allegations that he drew up a bogus map to justify recruiting players from outside the team's boundaries.
"All I want to say is, it's pretty much what the boys did. The boys did what they were supposed to do. Everybody did what they were supposed to do," he said. "I'm still a proud guy, proud coach. I love them."
William Haley, director of the Jackie Robinson West league and the son of the league's founder, plans to hold a news conference Thursday afternoon, according to Chicago attorney Victor Henderson.
Haley will discuss Little League International's decision as well as the communication between league officials and Jackie Robinson West officials, Henderson said.
Haley will also talk about his "thoughts going forward," he said. Henderson would not say whether that would include legal action.
In announcing the decision to strip Jackie Robinson West's U.S. Championship title, Little League officials said all the team's 2014 victories were vacated and Butler was suspended. The team was placed on probation and won't be able to compete in the tournament until its top leaders are replaced.
Michael Kelley, the administrator for Illinois Little League District 4, which oversees Jackie Robinson West and several other Chicago leagues, was removed from his job.
The allegations were first made by Chris Janes, vice president of the Evergreen Park Athletic Association and a coach of a team beaten by Jackie Robinson West.
After the accusations surfaced, Kelley told the Tribune in December that when one of the leagues decided not to field any teams in 2014, the other leagues changed their borders to accommodate those players.
Little League officials met with administrators of other District 4 leagues in January. On Wednesday, they announced that an "extensive review" had found Jackie Robinson West annexed portions of three neighboring leagues without getting the permission of those leagues.
The map was redrawn and backdated, according to Little League International.