(Via Yahoo Sports) Rev. Jesse Jackson, the polarizing civil rights activist, is calling for Little League International to return the U.S. championship to the 12-year-olds from Jackie Robinson West, mere hours after Little League stripped the team of its title.

And if that doesn’t happen, Jackson said Wednesday afternoon, he may take legal action.

Jackie Robinson West — consumed in a vortex of allegations involving ineligible players and illegally redrawing its league boundaries — became a feel-good story in Chicago and across the country on its run to the Little League World Series. An all-black team that was supported by MLB players, Jackie Robinson West became U.S. champions before losing to South Korea in the international title game. Afterward, the kids from Chicago were celebrated from the World Series to the White House.

But Wednesday’s ruling, which followed months of allegations trigged by a neighboring Little League coach, vacated those wins, took away the championship and suspended the team’s coach.

Jackson —the latest adult trying to make this story about him — expressed his dismay at the decision, telling the Chicago Sun Times that it drove him to tears. He then called for a Saturday morning “Reaffirmation of Championship” ceremony for the JRW players.

“There’s nothing these kids have done to have their championship erased,” Jackson said. “I hope the Las Vegas team will have the strength of character not to accept.”

Later, Jackson spoke at a press conference with members of the Jackie Robinson West team and Chicago pastor Michael Pfleger, who joined Jackson in telling Little League International to reverse its decision. They had no problem bringing up the issue of race. Jackson asked, “Is this boundaries or race?” while Pfleger (who is white) said, “I definitely believe racism is a part of this.”  (read more)