"The fact is, for me, this is an adult problem, not a kids problem," Williams told NBC Chicago after it had been determined that officials from the South Side Chicago team knowingly falsified a boundary map to include players who otherwise wouldn't have been eligible to play. "The adults responsible should have to answer."
"If the allegations proved to be true, there was a system in place to address the actions in question prior to the start of the tournament," Williams said. "When you see a 6-foot-2, 13-year-old kid pitching on the mound in the Little League World Series, the first thing everyone says is, 'That kid's 13? That kid is too old,' and then the Little League organizers are quick to trump it through a review process."
Despite Little League International's decision to hand the national title to the Mountain Ridge Little League team of Las Vegas, Nevada, Williams said the youth players from Jackie Robinson West would remain "champions" in his mind.
"These young men united a city in a way that I have not seen this city united to support a singular cause. It gave hope to a lot of kids in the community, not so different from a community in which I came up, where you're looking for things, you're looking for reasons to believe in something," he explained.
The stirring run to the Little League World Series by the all-black team captured national attention and united Chicago, which remains one of the nation's most segregated cities. Mayor Rahm Emanuel organized all-city watch parties and after falling to South Korea in the world championship game, the teammates were celebrated with a parade and a visit to the White House, where they met President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
The White Sox also honored the team at U.S. Cellular Field, donated $20,000 to the organization, and awarded each player with a White Sox jersey with their own numbers and autographed by every member of the 2014 White Sox.
Congrats JRW!!! From all of us here at the Whistle Stop in Diamond, IL.
achwastek/Instagram
Day 100 | ending this journey where it started, at Millennium Park. Today's walk over there ended with something a little extra special: the rally for the 2014 US Little League Champions, #JackieRobinsonWest. These kids gave this city something to be excited about and made us all proud. Congrats #JRW! #100happydays #endingonahighnote #llws #MillenniumPark #Chicago #chigram #chicagogram #chitecture #insta312
Chicago Park District
Kids will be kids. After the rallies and parade, the team headed back to their home park and played.
Fans already celebrating at millennium Park
More Rahm- photo op
Coke is on board with JRW. They only made six cases of these specialty cans.
Getting ready for the rally at millennium Park
Team coming on the field
Chicago Park District
Kids will be kids. After the rallies and parade, the team headed back to their home park and played.
More fans
Waiting to wave at 95th and Halsted
Waiting to wave at 95th and Halsted
JRW Best Regards, Linda Sent by IPhone
untitled Gatlings Chapel Inc. Proud supporters since 1988!! Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Special Coke cans Only 6 cases made!!!! Coca Cola giving them to players and their families (and me! )
JRW fans 87th & Halsted
JRW fans 87th & Halsted
Players getting on bus Players getting on bus
untitled Gatlings ready for the JRW parade!! Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
JRW Trolleys race past fans
JRW Trolleys race past fans
positivelyskewed/Instagram
Men at work #noedit
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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Umpire Laz Diaz #63 talks with two young players of the Jackie Robinson West USA Little League Champions from Chicago who were honored before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers on September 1, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 30: Members of the Jackie Robinson West Little League Team are honored before the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers game at U.S. Cellular Field on August 30, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Jackie Robinson West USA Little League Champions from Chicago are being honored before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers on September 1, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 30: A member of the Jackie Robinson West Little League Team gets a high Five from Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox after rounding the bases as the team is honored before the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers game at U.S. Cellular Field on August 30, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 30: Members of the Jackie Robinson West Little League Team are joined by members of the Chicago White Sox for a team photo as they are honored before the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers game at U.S. Cellular Field on August 30, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Jackie Robinson West USA Little League Champions from Chicago stand with the Chicago Cubs during the national anthem after being honored before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 1, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 30: A member of the Jackie Robinson West Little League Team is congratulated by members of the Chicago White Sox after rounding the bases as the team is honored before the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers game at U.S. Cellular Field on August 30, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 30: A member of the Jackie Robinson West Little League Team gets a high Five from Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox after rounding the bases as the team is honored before the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers game at U.S. Cellular Field on August 30, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 30: A member of the Jackie Robinson West Little League Team gets is congratulated by Avisail Garcia #26 and Adam Eaton #1 of the Chicago White Sox while rounding the bases as the team is honored before the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers game at U.S. Cellular Field on August 30, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Jackie Robinson West USA Little League Champions from Chicago are honored before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers on September 1, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Jackie Robinson West USA Little League Champions from Chicago stand with the Chicago Cubs during the national anthem after being honored before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 1, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Jackie Robinson West USA Little League Champions from Chicago sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning of a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers on September 1, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Disclaimer: Kenny Williams is married to NBC Chicago's Zoraida Sambolin.
