WUJIAQU, CHINA - OCTOBER 14: Cotton is harvested with a cotton harvester in a field on October 14, 2021 in Wujiaqu, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. (Photo by Li Huabei/VCG via Getty Images)
One moment during a televised game on Sunday has gone viral. A group of teammates shoved cotton into the afro of a Black teammate. Their hands seemingly violated his hair and personal space–meanwhile, he sat unsmilingly. But, according to a statement by Little League officials, there was “no ill-intent” by the players, and they’ve spoken to the child’s parents and coaches to confirm.
Per TMZ, the scene unfolded in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Four teammates from a Davenport, Iowa team, all white-appearing, ripped cotton from the insides of giveaway toys. Then, they shoved the balls into their teammate’s hair, covering his entire crown. Meanwhile, the child sat still, with no expression except looking down and around a few times. One of the children even shaped the cotton on his teammate’s hair. The sports commentators seemed to overlook the scene with comments like, “when in Rome.”
But the Little League said the players meant no harm, and the child’s mother agreed with their judgment. Here’s what their statement said:
“After speaking with the team, as well as reviewing photos, multiple players on the Midwest region team were taking part in this while enjoying the game. As only one player appeared on the broadcast, Little League International understands that the actions shown could be perceived as racially insensitive. We have spoken with the player’s mother and the coaches, who have assured us that there was no ill-intent behind the action shown during the broadcast,” the League said.
The Davenport team plans to retake the field on Tuesday. But the video is causing a stir on social media, with some people demanding the players face consequences for playing with cotton in their Black teammate’s hair.
