Tulsa Team Sues Little League, Alleges They Were Disqualified Over False COVID Positive Test

A Tulsa team is suing to play in the Little League World Series after it says the COVID-19 test that disqualified them was a false positive.

Melita Armstrong's son plays on the Tulsa National team and her husband Chris Armstrong is one of the coaches.

“It’s just hard to tell him that hey you can’t play anymore for no reason," Melita said.

Chris said it was tough explaining to parents and the kids why their team was disqualified.

“How do you react as a 12-year-old to that news, that something outside of your control is keeping you from doing what you love?" Chris said.

The cut stems from a COVID-19 test given to the team's manager. In court documents filed in Pennsylvania, the team alleges several inaccuracies with the Little League tests.

Chris said the coach immediately went to an emergency room to get a second test, and despite it coming back negative, Little League did not reinstate the team.

“When he went to the doctor and then he came back and it was negative, they just weren’t going to hear of any of it,” Melita said. “We had the proof but they just, they didn’t want to listen.”

The lawsuit also states the team's tests were improperly administered and noted inaccuracies with the tests' timestamps.

Melita knows her son's team won't be able to play the games it already missed, but the hope the injunction filed will prevent Little League from banning the team from playing the rest of the tournament in Williamsport next week.

“The hope is just to let our kids know that we did everything we could possibly do for them,” Melita said. “We’re just hoping that Little League can right their wrong.”

A preliminary hearing for the case will be held on Monday in Pennsylvania.