Will media make Altee , VA girls softball team martyrs as they did Chicago LL team

The Altee, VA 11-12 year old girls softball team was disqualified from the national championship game for posting a photo on social media with half the team flipping off their host / opponent apparently for the way they were treated in the previous game. I personally believe this is one more example of political correctness over reach even if the girls showed poor taste. Others have a different view and I respect those sentiments. The problem is disqualifications for off the field events are handled unevenly and the media takes sides for reason that often have no bearing on the situation.

The softball organization relied on a subjective rule to disqualify the team despite their win on the field. Yet their actions in no gave them a competitive advantage on the field. Contrast that to the Chicago Jackie Robinson Little League team a few years ago which had its title revoked when it was discovered they had players residing outside of their assigned pool area. This was a failure on the part of adult coaches to follow the rules, whether intentional or not. They had an obligation to confirm eligibility of their players. This may have very well given them a competitive advantage. Many in the media made the team martyrs for this, with social justice overtones permeating much of their arguments. Will the media treat this softball team the same way?

Some will argue the photo was classless and therefore the team should be punished. But, remember half the team was not involved. Should they be penalized? What about free speech rights?

Yes, the organization can subjectively apply its rule to justify its actions. , but where is the line drawn? If a player does a throat slash after a big play should the game be immediately forfeited? What if they are playing an Oriental team and make an exaggerated mocking eye display? Is the game over ?

Was this rule readily known by the coaches? Having coached many youth sports teams I can tell you the last thing I would be concerned with is telling my team not to make questionable posts on social media.

Outside of rules violations which potentially impact the game's outcome off the field events should not alter the results on the field.

How will the media treat this decision? Stay tuned.