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Softball Team Accused Of Intentionally Losing Little League World Series Game To Eliminate Talented Opponent

A softball team from Snohomish, Washington ignited controversy in the Little League World Series after apparently losing a game on purpose in order to keep a certain formidable opponent out of the next round.

According to the Des Moines Register, the Snohomish squad lost 8-0 in a no-hitter for their opponents from North Carolina. By LLWS rule, the North Carolina win put them into the next round and eliminated a talented Central Iowa team - but they are accusing Snohomish of losing the game on purpose in order to keep them out.

According to Chris Chadd, Snohomish benched all their starters and ordered every batter to bunt in order to preserve the loss. "It's clear to everyone that they basically threw the game," he said.

The LLWS issued a statement Tuesday morning, acknowledging "credible reports" that Snohomish "did not play with the effort and spirit appropriate for any Little League game," and decided to pit them against Central Iowa in a one-game playoff to determine who advances.

Zolak & Bertrand discussed the controversy with Dan Shaughnessy on Tuesday. Marc Bertrand took exception to the Snohomish team's blatant tanking and lack of competitive spirit.

"At 12 you have to earn it. You don't sit there and tank games," he said. You want to win? Be the best team."

He added: "Throwing games at 12 years old? You people are sad. That's just a bunch of sad individuals that are coaching those teams. Get a grip. Go out and play the game."

Shaughnessy and Scott Zolak likened the strategy to the Patriots allegedly tanking a regular season game to face Jacksonville instead of Pittsburgh in the first round of the NFL Playoffs.

"They have put the playground behind here. They are trying to compete at the highest level," Shaughnessy said of the softball teams.

While Shaughnessy and Zolak believed Snohomish was still "earning" their advancement in the tournament, Bertrand disagreed: "You know what I call that? I call that 'cowardly'."

Zolak admitted that if it were his daughter's team getting eliminated in such a way, he'd lose his mind.

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