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Cambridge Christian opponent may forfeit

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 19, 2009

Updated: 05/19/2009 05:55 pm

Cambridge Christian is scheduled to play Lake Worth Trinity Christian in a Class 1A state baseball semifinal on Wednesday in Port St. Lucie. Whether or not the Lancers will have an opponent is now in question.

Trinity Christian was involved in a bench-clearing brawl during its regional final series win over Brito Miami Private. Ten players were ejected following the altercation (five from each team), which occurred in Game 2. The brawl occurred after a Brito player ran into Trinity Christian's catcher during a play at home.

FHSAA spokesperson Cristina Alvarez confirmed in an email that the five players who were ejected from the game that involved the bench-clearing brawl are suspended for four games. However, Alvarez added the rest of the Trinity Christian roster – minus the team's catcher – was handed two-game suspensions. That leaves Lake Worth Trinity Christian with just one eligible player on its varsity roster to compete for the rest of the season.

Alvarez said the bracket won't be vacated since the school as a whole was not disqualified. However, Alvarez said it will cost Trinity Christian $50 per player to add or change an individual to the roster, meaning the cost to add eight new players to field a nine-man team will be $400.

Alvarez said Trinity Christian will be required to forfeit if it can't field a team for Wednesday's scheduled 5 p.m. game.

Trinity Christian coach Miguel Cuello told the Palm Beach Post on Tuesday it was unlikely his team would field a roster made up of mostly junior varsity players.

"I'm not going to do that'' he said. "That's ridiculous. Why would I want to do that? Even if I had 10 guys, there's no reason we're going to do that.

"I don't know what we'll do.''

According to the newspaper, Trinity Christian Athletic director Fred Erdman said he is discussing options with school principal Cindy Ansell, but declined further comment.

"It must have been quite a fight, that's all I can say," Cambridge Christian coach Rick Shears said when reached Tuesday afternoon. "That's some strange stuff there. I'm flabbergasted. I figured the five players would be done, but wow."

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