NWLL baseball scandal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a person on the board for the last 12 years who never lived in DC, but kid(s) went to a school in-boundary so they were legit NWLL players. I'm assuming they aged out years ago.

Do the rules allow this person to be an officer on the board? Absolutely.

Have they been generous in giving up their time to the community in the last 12 years. Yes. 100%.

Is it time to get new people in to replace them? I think that might make sense. I'm not sure about this person's specific situation, but...

There are no term-limits for the league, and maybe that's why the board seems so insular and immovable to the recent complainants.

Generally speaking, people should feel pressure to move on after serving on a community-based board for a while. Maybe after a few years of giving back if they do not have kids active in the league. Or, if they don't live in-boundary and once their kids leave the in-boundary school.

Here's another metric: is the organization being best served by this board?

I'm not sure how you can read the allegations and not find extensive merit in them—sure, some of the fringe things might be questionable—but the fact the current league has such shocking levels of player/parent discontent, such lopsided scores, such universal anger over the umpires and a failure to have any success in the LLWS (which a cynic might point out is because the city is not putting its best team forward), and now a horrendous and very credible accusation of widespread cheating and draft-rigging... if I were a board member I would look at the situation and think, "well this isn't working, maybe it's time for someone else to try!"

If an outside firm clears Ricky (and I don't see how they can) all those problems—tense, unhappy games, players feeling disillusioned and burned out by age 11, terrible umping, parents shouting "cheater", most games resulting in routs, etc. suggests a poorly administered operation. Cheating or not, this organization is broken and for the sake of the parents like that one who has an eager six-year-old, please clean house!

I would argue that "success in the LLWS" is a very different goal from the other ones listed. Except that talent development is very much a numbers game, and that the way to develop a lot of talented players is to keep a lot of players engaged from the beginning.

well, ultimately you play the game to win, and if, after all this draft-rigging and eligibility games, and disillusionment for so many other kids who are not the chosen ones, they're not even winning, what's the point? They're doing all this cheating and it's not even getting them anywhere!

I suppose that's why people keep bringing up the money thing. Maybe that's the motive?

Yes, they are not winning. However 2 years ago, Ricky's team took the spot Cap City LL should have had, to go to Williamsport. The end. And this past August, they took someone else's spot. They harm their own LL kids, but they also harm other people's kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best answer may be that klisch and Sweeney move to another league as there is no remedy otherwise. Even if another adjudicator acts it will be deemed harmless error if anything. So they need to quash this issue.

Regarding the irregularities in the All-Star team selections, it might be true that an adjudicator would deem these "harmless errors" if anything to be quashed and moved on from. But those in the know, just as those willing to actually take in the facts, know what's there is habitual attempts at cheating and gaming the system. Adjudicating it as harmless and quashing dissent just allows it to continue. And it's not harmless. It hurts the other leagues that NWLL illegally poaches or tries to poach players from. It hurts the honest teams and leagues that compete above board when they lose to illegitimately composed NWLL teams. It hurts the kids that are legitimately part of NWLL that get left off the team in favor of players that are out of boundary that are not entitled to waivers. It hurts the league experience for NWLL Majors division players that aren't part of the all-star team. It hurts the experience of the aforementioned six-year-olds and parents that don't want to deal with this stuff. So it's disheartening to hear some say: let's just move on and play ball.

In the Washington Post article, Davenport says "Anyone who thinks a single player in each of the last two seasons was the secret to our success hasn't been out to see our games." Exactly! The NWLL teams can compete without trying to add illegal players. So do that! But do it with players you're entitled to. Not with those you aren't. Or if the errors are deemed as harmless, I guess that's a signal to just keep on accidentally making them.

Now if I were trying to survive this, I might keep doing what Davenport and NWLL are doing. Deny. Withold. Say I'm the most honest person/league ever. And that strategy might just work out for them.

The NWLL prez also says he has a "long-standing reputation for honesty" and has "never cheated or gamed the system." HA! He has a reputation for using every loophole to his advantage and more. Loopholes may be dirty, but are one thing. Cutting your own hole in the loop is another.

The fact that the other seven DC little league groups were also negatively impacted has sort of gotten lost. This scandal is broader that NWLL. A lot of kids worked hard for many years at a fair shot of making it to Bristol. The whole DC youth baseball community deserves an explanation.

1000%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One board member stated that she "adores" Ricky but was then angry when someone objected to her being on the "special committee" investigating the allegations and said she was being defamed and started to cry. Mess. And Ricky was nominated to committee to identify next "slate" of board members so unclear if things will really change. The special committee seems to be a mix of Ricky loyalists and some more neutral folks. And some efforts to clean up bylaws but if they just keep electing more Ricky devotees, unclear if much will change. And the LL org officials seem to believe their job is to protect the President and keep any conflict quiet rather than actually helping to address the issues. All in all not super confidence inspiring. Seems to be a very poorly run non profit. No board terms, outdated bylaws, lots of conflicts of interest, etc.

She cried? And said she was being defamed but ignores what Ricky has done? disgusting.

Yup. Actively complicit in it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:does anyone know anything about this? Looks like notes from a meeting last January (typo in date?) from someone on the NWLL board. Is there a copy out there without the redactions?

NOTES ON [PLAYER 1] /NWLL

Facts from our meeting tonight - 1/8/22.

According to Ricky Davenport, [PLAYER 1] was eligible under a II(d) waiver - his sibling [PLAYER 2] was once eligible.

RD said once a sibling, it never expires – wrong per LL rules.

Per RD - [PLAYER 2] went to Hardy in 2020-2021 (2021 Tournament). We know [PLAYER 1] played for Cap Hill that year on 12u AST. Per RD, [PLAYER 2] played juniors for NWLL in Spring 2021.

Last year, 2021-2022 (2022 Tournament), both boys went to [CHLL SCHOOL]. According to RD, "[PLAYER 2] played juniors under a waiver." However, NWLL did not play juniors with the rest of DC Little Leagues. They played in Rockville, which RD said was not Little League. [PLAYER 1] played for NWLL on 12U AST. According to RD, under a continuous waiver as a sibling. Given the above facts, a waiver would not have been required until this year, and [PLAYER 2] did not play Spring Little League.

Both [PLAYER 1] and [PLAYER 2] previously played in Cap Hill LL.

Both [PLAYER 1] and [PLAYER 2] are attending [MD SCHOOL] this year. It is in MD. Unless they moved into NWLL, [PLAYER 1] is ineligible.

Additional Facts

Greg processed 2022 tournament paperwork for NWLL. He would not sign [PLAYER 1] paperwork because no waiver was included.

Neither Bristol nor Williamsport sign off on II(d) waivers.

Even if there was a waiver, and it was issued v. the rules, the waiver is invalid and [PLAYER 1] is not entitled to play in NWLL.


Analysis

If [PLAYER 2] had a waiver in place in 2021 (wasn't needed if went to Hardy 2020-2021), [PLAYER 1] broke by playing in Cap Hill in 2021.

If [PLAYER 2] did not have a waiver in 2021 because at Hardy, a waiver was required in 2022, but [PLAYER 2] didn't play little league. II(d) says "sibling of a current player"

II(e) - If it is determined at a later date (after tournament) that player does not meet the conditions of II(d), the player is ineligible for further participation. Situations in which documentation is not available must be referred to the Charter Committee through the regional office for a determination.

If for some reason count the Rockville non-little league partici[ation, violating Reg 1 & risking charter revocation or suspension of tournament privileges for league or individuals associated with the team - Reg I(g)(4).

See: Tips for Expanding Participation Opportunities - Little League

Regulation II (d) Waiver
If used for the first time, this form applies only to a player who resided in, or attended school inside of a chartered league’s boundaries AND was a member of that same league. The player then, (A) moved out of the league’s boundaries; or (B) is now out of the boundaries because of a revision in the boundaries. If so, the player can be claimed on the form.
The player’s siblings can be claimed on a II(d) form as well, provided the sibling has continued to play in the league. Both must be named on the form.
If the player breaks service and does not play for a season or more, he or she cannot be claimed."

10000%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those 1/8 notes are from DCLL and NOT LL. Greg Roberts needs to address them and explain how the waiver was approved.

NWLL should also address them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

This is all we need below to remove leadership, current board, and awards. Period.

excerpt-
NOTES ON [PLAYER 1] /NWLL

Facts from our meeting tonight - 1/8/22.

According to Ricky Davenport, [PLAYER 1] was eligible under a II(d) waiver - his sibling [PLAYER 2] was once eligible.

RD said once a sibling, it never expires – wrong per LL rules.

Per RD - [PLAYER 2] went to Hardy in 2020-2021 (2021 Tournament). We know [PLAYER 1] played for Cap Hill that year on 12u AST. Per RD, [PLAYER 2] played juniors for NWLL in Spring 2021.

Last year, 2021-2022 (2022 Tournament), both boys went to [CHLL SCHOOL]. According to RD, "[PLAYER 2] played juniors under a waiver." However, NWLL did not play juniors with the rest of DC Little Leagues. They played in Rockville, which RD said was not Little League. [PLAYER 1] played for NWLL on 12U AST. According to RD, under a continuous waiver as a sibling. Given the above facts, a waiver would not have been required until this year, and [PLAYER 2] did not play Spring Little League.

Both [PLAYER 1] and [PLAYER 2] previously played in Cap Hill LL.

Both [PLAYER 1] and [PLAYER 2] are attending [MD SCHOOL] this year. It is in MD. Unless they moved into NWLL, [PLAYER 1] is ineligible.

Additional Facts

Greg processed 2022 tournament paperwork for NWLL. He would not sign [PLAYER 1] paperwork because no waiver was included.

Neither Bristol nor Williamsport sign off on II(d) waivers.

Even if there was a waiver, and it was issued v. the rules, the waiver is invalid and [PLAYER 1] is not entitled to play in NWLL.


Analysis

If [PLAYER 2] had a waiver in place in 2021 (wasn't needed if went to Hardy 2020-2021), [PLAYER 1] broke by playing in Cap Hill in 2021.

If [PLAYER 2] did not have a waiver in 2021 because at Hardy, a waiver was required in 2022, but [PLAYER 2] didn't play little league. II(d) says "sibling of a current player"

II(e) - If it is determined at a later date (after tournament) that player does not meet the conditions of II(d), the player is ineligible for further participation. Situations in which documentation is not available must be referred to the Charter Committee through the regional office for a determination.

If for some reason count the Rockville non-little league partici[ation, violating Reg 1 & risking charter revocation or suspension of tournament privileges for league or individuals associated with the team - Reg I(g)(4).

See: Tips for Expanding Participation Opportunities - Little League

Regulation II (d) Waiver
If used for the first time, this form applies only to a player who resided in, or attended school inside of a chartered league’s boundaries AND was a member of that same league. The player then, (A) moved out of the league’s boundaries; or (B) is now out of the boundaries because of a revision in the boundaries. If so, the player can be claimed on the form.
The player’s siblings can be claimed on a II(d) form as well, provided the sibling has continued to play in the league. Both must be named on the form.
If the player breaks service and does not play for a season or more, he or she cannot be claimed."
report
[Post New]09/11/2023 10:39Subject: NWLL baseball scandal

[Anonymous]

bottom line, because the player didn't play in 2021, the 2(d) waiver is not valid. Break in service. simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:bottom line, because the player didn't play in 2021, the 2(d) waiver is not valid. Break in service. simple.

Huh. The older sibling registered in NWLL in 2020, which we know was canceled because of COVID. And if the older sibling did NOT play NWLL in 2021 or 2022 (per the notes, NWLL did not have a DCLL-affiliated juniors team that he could have played on), then he would have played a total of. . .zero innings of NWLL baseball between 2019 and 2022.

THIS is the tie that the older player had to NWLL. Zero (o) actual baseball, no participation in the league other than a parent's on-line registration of a child.

One single-season registration (2020) that was likely refunded due to COVID (as was the case for all of NWLL). And per the memo, neither player attended an NWLL school in the 2021-2022 school year, with the younger player registered in CHLL and playing for CHLL's all-star team in 2021.

THOSE FACTS are the basis for the younger sibling's NWLL eligibility? THIS is the thin reed the NWLL board hung the 2022 All Star team's eligibility on?

Where were the adults? Didn't any of those reviewing for eligibility--NWLL board, Ricky, as well as the assembled DCLL officials (including CHLL and CCLL)--think this could be a problem that could reflect horribly on our community?

Titles are won and lost by players on the field, but they are vacated over the actions of adults who should know better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:bottom line, because the player didn't play in 2021, the 2(d) waiver is not valid. Break in service. simple.

Huh. The older sibling registered in NWLL in 2020, which we know was canceled because of COVID. And if the older sibling did NOT play NWLL in 2021 or 2022 (per the notes, NWLL did not have a DCLL-affiliated juniors team that he could have played on), then he would have played a total of. . .zero innings of NWLL baseball between 2019 and 2022.

THIS is the tie that the older player had to NWLL. Zero (o) actual baseball, no participation in the league other than a parent's on-line registration of a child.

One single-season registration (2020) that was likely refunded due to COVID (as was the case for all of NWLL). And per the memo, neither player attended an NWLL school in the 2021-2022 school year, with the younger player registered in CHLL and playing for CHLL's all-star team in 2021.

THOSE FACTS are the basis for the younger sibling's NWLL eligibility? THIS is the thin reed the NWLL board hung the 2022 All Star team's eligibility on?

Where were the adults? Didn't any of those reviewing for eligibility--NWLL board, Ricky, as well as the assembled DCLL officials (including CHLL and CCLL)--think this could be a problem that could reflect horribly on our community?

Titles are won and lost by players on the field, but they are vacated over the actions of adults who should know better.

Believe CHLL did try and fight it as the kid in question should have played for them.

As an aside, it's somewhat of karma that ricky pulls all these strings from behind the scenes to so deperately try and advance and then falls apart in coach decisions when his team does advance to the regional tournament. But I guess the other little leagues and their kids and their parents might not see it that way.

Also, are NWLL games played on city property under city permits? What do those permits require for an org to access fields? Has the city been made aware?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:bottom line, because the player didn't play in 2021, the 2(d) waiver is not valid. Break in service. simple.

Huh. The older sibling registered in NWLL in 2020, which we know was canceled because of COVID. And if the older sibling did NOT play NWLL in 2021 or 2022 (per the notes, NWLL did not have a DCLL-affiliated juniors team that he could have played on), then he would have played a total of. . .zero innings of NWLL baseball between 2019 and 2022.

THIS is the tie that the older player had to NWLL. Zero (o) actual baseball, no participation in the league other than a parent's on-line registration of a child.

One single-season registration (2020) that was likely refunded due to COVID (as was the case for all of NWLL). And per the memo, neither player attended an NWLL school in the 2021-2022 school year, with the younger player registered in CHLL and playing for CHLL's all-star team in 2021.

THOSE FACTS are the basis for the younger sibling's NWLL eligibility? THIS is the thin reed the NWLL board hung the 2022 All Star team's eligibility on?

Where were the adults? Didn't any of those reviewing for eligibility--NWLL board, Ricky, as well as the assembled DCLL officials (including CHLL and CCLL)--think this could be a problem that could reflect horribly on our community?

Titles are won and lost by players on the field, but they are vacated over the actions of adults who should know better.

Believe CHLL did try and fight it as the kid in question should have played for them.

As an aside, it's somewhat of karma that ricky pulls all these strings from behind the scenes to so deperately try and advance and then falls apart in coach decisions when his team does advance to the regional tournament. But I guess the other little leagues and their kids and their parents might not see it that way.

Also, are NWLL games played on city property under city permits? What do those permits require for an org to access fields? Has the city been made aware?

DPR is the Department of Baseball, it's the only sport they care about, they're not going to do anything.

Technically Little League shouldn't be allowed on city-owned fields at all. City law requires anyone using city-owned facilities to follow the DC Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of residential address.

[Anonymous]

How amaxing is this kid that this guy would jump thru all these hoops and lie like a dog to get him?

[Anonymous]

This drama may go all the way to the Supreme Court!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, because they have nothing better to do.
You all have no idea what you're talking about on the facts or rules. Honestly pathetic. Like an echo-chamber for idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, because they have nothing better to do.
You all have no idea what you're talking about on the facts or rules. Honestly pathetic. Like an echo-chamber for idiots.

We're 32 pages in, you're going to have to be more specific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, because they have nothing better to do.
You all have no idea what you're talking about on the facts or rules. Honestly pathetic. Like an echo-chamber for idiots.

Right, as only Ricky has the facts and rules. Correct? Ricky, is that correct?