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CNN Live Today

Blue-Collar Town Focus of Little League Investigation

Aired July 24, 2002 - 11:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A blue-collar town across the Hudson form New York City is the focus of a little league investigation. Kid you not. Players say two coaches asked them to throw a game so the stronger team could move a step closer to the world series for the little league.

Incredible story, and Here it is from WWOR reporter Brenda Flanagan.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRENDA FLANAGAN, WWOR REPORTER (voice-over): Sportsmanship, that's what Little League baseball says it's all about, but one Kearny team called the National All Stars claims their two coaches told them to throw a game, deliberately lose to the other Kearny team, their cross-town rivals, the Kearny Americans. Kids balked.

MITCH RICHARDSON, KEARNY NATIONALS: I felt sad and really mad because we have lots of sportsmanship.

CYNTHIA FORD, NATIONALS TEAM MOM: Trying to lose, exactly, trying to lose. How dare they? I'm just really -- I am really appalled that they would do that to our kids.

FLANAGAN: The nationals had only one win to their credit anyway, their coaches, Justin Reah (ph) and Larry Davidson alleged decided to help the 6-0 Americans the district tournament and move at last Kearny team forward in little league competition. Mitch claims the national's coach has even threatened to kick a pitcher off the team if he refused to cooperate. In the end, the Nationals did lose 16-4, but not because they tried to.

RICAHRDSON: And we ere just talking and saying that we were going to try our hardest, try to win the game.

FLANAGAN (on camera): Even though the coaches, you thought, wanted you to you lose it.

RICHARDSON: Yes.

FLANAGAN (voice-over): The mayor has ordered an investigation. But both coaches emphatically deny the allegations according to published reports.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No one would ask children to throw a game. That's ridiculous. Children want to win. Everyone wants it win.

FLANAGAN: The coaches' family say they are deeply hurt the little league organization is investigating.

In Kearny, I'm Brenda Flanagan, UPN 9 News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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