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American Morning

Age of Pitcher Who Was in Little League World Series Has Raised a Lot of Controversy

Aired August 30, 2001 - 11:30   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: Accusations have been swirling for days now about the Baby Bronx Bombers. Now the age of the pitcher who was in this World Series team has raised a lot of controversy.

Let's check in now with our Jason Carroll who is following some late developments in this story.

He's in our New York bureau -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning to you, Leon.

Just about a half an hour ago, we got a fax in here at the New York bureau. This comes from the Little League baseball media relations department. I'm going to read part of it to you.

It says, "Little league baseball will accept the decision of the government of the Dominican Republic, regarding the correct date of birth for Danny Almonte." As you said, Danny Almonte is the little league player who says he's 12 years old, but a birth certificate unveiled by a reporter from "Sports Illustrated" seems to indicate that Danny Almonte may be 14 years old, two years above the legal age limit to play little league ball.

Now in the Dominican Republic, there is an arm of government called the Central Control Committee. That's an arm of government, the way that we understand it, is in charge of the records, including birth records. They have appointed a special commission to look into the Almonte case.

Basically, what this fax means that we got there this morning, it basically means that whatever decision that special commission makes, the little league baseball -- little league baseball here in the states will abide by that decision, whatever it may be.

Now if the Dominican Republic finds out that Danny Almonte is 14 years old, not 12 years old, then there are several courses of action that little league could take, including revoking the charter of the team that Danny Almonte plays for, the Rolando Paulino All-Stars out there the in the Bronx.

Now Danny Almonte, as you can imagine, is a hero in the Dominican Republic, but even so, the commission says they want to get at the bottom of this, whatever that may be. Now also in addition to everything else that's going on, "New York Daily News" is reporting this morning that Danny Almonte has not been to school in the past 18 months. So on top of everything else, Leon, the Almonte family has to deal with that controversy as well -- Leon.

HARRIS: Oh my goodness, this story just keeps getting worse and worse as it goes along.

All right, Jason, check back with you later on when the word comes down this afternoon.

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