BRYAN, TEXAS — The Texas Charm youth softball team was banned from United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) tournaments following allegations of racial taunting during a May 9 game in Bryan, Texas. The incident occurred during a matchup between Texas Charm and the Texas Terminators, a youth team whose 13-year-old biracial pitcher was reportedly targeted with monkey-like noises.

According to the pitcher’s family, players on Texas Charm directed the noises toward the girl multiple times during the game, including while she was pitching, batting, and during postgame handshakes. Video from the game appears to capture the sounds at those moments. Heather Lee, the player’s mother, said the taunting began early and continued throughout the contest. “I did not observe any on-field intervention to stop the alleged taunting.”

Lee said her husband, who was in the dugout, texted her during the game asking if the opposing team was making monkey-like noises. She added that she told her daughter the incident was serious and could escalate to physical harm, and her daughter responded, “I know who I am.” She said she is speaking out to prevent similar incidents from happening to other young athletes.

USSSA South Texas State Director Shannon Gonzalez said the organization completed its investigation and banned Texas Charm from playing in USSSA tournaments. Lee called the ban insufficient, saying her daughter deserves an apology or acknowledgment that such behavior is not tolerated.

Texas Charm head coach Michael Gongora stated the allegations against the team are false. Gongora said the character of the team’s players is of the utmost importance and that further discussion would be held directly with USSSA.