A girls' softball team playing in the Junior League World Series was disqualified after six teammates posted a photo on Snapchat of them flipping off the host team under the caption, "watch out host," the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Sunday.
The Atlee softball team from Virginia was told it was disqualified hours before it was set to take the field in the nationally televised title game.
"After discovering a recent inappropriate social media post involving members of Atlee Little League's Junior League Softball tournament team, the Little League International Tournament Committee has removed the Southeast Region from the 2017 Junior League Softball World Series for violation of Little League's policies regarding unsportsmanlike conduct, inappropriate use of social media, and the high standard that Little League International holds for all its participants," Little League spokesman Kevin Fountain said in a statement released to the Times-Dispatch.
A player from the Atlee team posted the photo on her Snapchat account on Friday. It was evident the girls intended their gesture for the host team, Kirkland out of Washington State. The event took place in Kirkland, Wash.
Atlee manager Scott Currie said the punishment was too severe.
"It's a travesty for these girls," he said on Saturday. "Yes, they screwed up, but I don't think the punishment fit the crime."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.