Tulsa Little League team reinstated by Texas judge after disqualification as LLWS drama grows

Drama is already unfolding with the Little League World Series after a team from Tulsa, Okla., was disqualified by Little League Baseball on Monday afternoon, only to be reinstated by a Texas judge hours later. 

The team from Tulsa had been kicked out of the 2026 Little League Baseball Southwest Region Tournament after it was ruled that one of its players was ineligible. The decision had been made by the Little League International Tournament Committee after a protest was filed over the eligibility of players on the Tulsa team. 

While Little League Baseball’s statement said that the committee’s ruling was final and binding, Judge Ryan Luna of the 414th District Court granted a temporary restraining order that had been sought by the parents and players of the Tulsa team. 

The Little League World Series was embroiled in controversy on Monday. Getty Images

“Judge Luna has ordered the championship game to go forward on Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. as scheduled. The winner of the game will go on to represent the southwest region in Williamsport. The winner of the game will be determined on the field where it should be decided,” a press release stated. 

It’s unclear what next step Little League Baseball will take following the court ruling. 

In its original statement announcing the disqualification of the Tulsa squad, the organization had said that the Little League Baseball Southwest Region Tournament would determine a winner with a one-game championship between Texas West and Louisiana. 

While Little League Baseball had not said what had made the player ineligible, Sports Illustrated had reported that three teams taking part in the regional tournament had requested the Tulsa team be investigated. 

A general view as Asia-Pacific Region team from Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei plays against Mountain Region from Las Vegas, Nevada during the 2025 Little League World Series Championship at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on August 24, 2025 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Getty Images

According to the complaint, SI reported, the three teams wanted Little League to look into “whether Tulsa National Little League operated its entire 2026 baseball program in compliance with Little League Regulations, Playing Rules, Operating Policies, Charter Requirements and Player Eligibility Requirements required for International tournament eligibility.” 

It also alleged that the Tulsa squad had violated the Sibling Participation Regulation II(a)(1), League Eligibility, Pitching more than one game in a day Regulation VI(k) and Completing a game Rule 4.10(c)(2).