VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A Vancouver Little League team faces a big controversy over one player’s special needs.

Twelve-year-old Jacob Garcia has a rare condition that causes frequent infections in his lungs. Those infections cause scarring, which makes it difficult to breathe.

So for the last five years he's worn a small oxygen tank strapped to his back which makes it possible for him to play ball.

It's that tank that got him tossed.

"The umpire said I couldn't play because of my tank, because of my oxygen,” Garcia told KGW.

The umpire who ejected Garcia said the oxygen is not approved equipment.

Comment: Should he be allowed to play?

Little League rules don't address oxygen tanks.

But Little League leaders say Garcia can't play until a national ruling issues a decision which is still weeks away.

Garcia is disappointed but hopeful.

“I feel like I'm making way for people like me who wear oxygen, too. I feel like I'm making a path for them so they don't have to go through the stuff I've gone through,” he said.

The Vancouver Little League is fighting to make sure oxygen tanks get approved nationwide.

Garcia has been wearing the oxygen tank for five years.