Glace Bay manager believes player’s status should have been known before nationals
The manager of the Glace Bay McDonald’s Colonels says Little League Canada and the coaches of the Whalley Major All-Stars should have been more upfront about the status of one of the Whalley players heading into last week’s national championship to avoid confusion about the situation.
Henry Boutilier said he found out after the tournament was over, in a newspaper article, that Whalley outfielder Dio Gama wouldn’t be able to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., this week.
Fortunately, Immigration Canada came through at the 11th hour, issuing Gama a temporary resident permit in order to allow him to accompany his team to the Little League World Series.
Gama and his family had been awaiting a review of their immigration status, and although Gama was cleared to play in both the Canadian Little League Championship last week in Mirabel, Que., and also at the upcoming Little League World Series, because of his immigration status, it was unknown if he would have had the documentation to return to Canada following the World Series tournament prior to Ottawa coming through with the temporary resident permit.
“The only problem I had with the whole thing is that these people should have come up front and told us,” said Boutilier. “Before the Canadian tournament in Mirabel, they should have told us what the situation is and everybody would have been aware of it and everyone would have accepted it.
“It seems to be they’re all hiding this stuff and not telling you what’s going on.”
According to The Canadian Press, Gama, born in the United States to Mexican parents, has lived in Canada for three years. But the family’s immigration case is complicated in part by a drug-related charge and guilty plea by Dio’s father, Noe, that led to his deportation from the U.S. in 1997 and a 60-month prison term in Mexico.
When Gama’s situation was made public, it raised questions about his eligibility to compete at nationals. The longtime Glace Bay manager checked with Little League International and learned that Gama had a signed waiver and was eligible to play in both tournaments.
The All-Stars defeated the Colonels 11-0 in four innings in the championship game on Aug. 11 in Mirabel, Que., to earn a berth at the Little League World Series. Gama played a key role in the win, batting 2-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored.
“They won fair and square. As far as we’re concerned, the problem with this situation is (we should have been given the) information … before the tournament ever started,” said Boutilier. “If the information would have been given to us, it wouldn’t have blown up the way it’s blown up.”
Boutilier said he wished the Whalley team the best and is happy that Gama will get to play in the World Series.