Guthrie’s baseball season will go on in the play-offs, but without the services of veteran head coach Jon Chappell in the dugout.
Chappell will be suspended throughout this year’s playoffs and the BlueJays will forfeit their right to host a 5A regional tournament as part of the self-imposed penalties suggested by the school to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association for playing too many games.
The OSSAA ruling came Monday morning which allows Guthrie to participate in the postseason playoffs.
The school district contacted and self reported the problem to the OSSAA.
The OSSAA allows a total of 22 regular season games to be played along with three tournaments. If the BlueJays were to play their final scheduled district game it would put their total at 23.
Chappell’s suspension is effective Tuesday, and carries over to the first five games and losing one team tournament entry next season.
“The rules are in place to prevent someone from gaining a competitive advantage and we understand why they should be there,” said Superintendent Terry Simpson.
The third-ranked Jays are 25-6 and were winners of their district.
The team was notified of the decision with a team meeting on Monday afternoon.
“I am glad this will not prevent our baseball team from playing in the play offs,” Simpson stated. “Coach Chappell has handled this with the highest level of honesty and integrity. “Mistakes can and do occur, how you handle them is what sets people apart.” “Jon is a great example for our young men both on and off the field,” stated Simpson.
OSSAA agreed with the self imposed disciplinary actions administered by Guthrie Public Schools and has removed the BlueJays from probationary status and has placed the program on warning for one calendar year.
Last week the Sand Springs (30-5) baseball program was handed down a similar punishment for going over the 22-game limit.
The playoffs are set to begin on Thursday.
Regional 1 – at El Reno
Guthrie vs. Southeast 11 am
Duncan vs. El Reno 1 pm
Regional 2 – at Deer Creek
Deer Creek vs. Del City
Lawton MacArthur vs. Guymon
Regional 3 – at Carl Albert
Carl Albert vs. Capitol Hill
McGuinness vs. Ardmore
Regional 4 – at Chickasha
Chickasha vs. Western Heights
Shawnee vs. Altus
Regional 5 – at Claremore
Claremore, bye
Pryor vs. Collinsville
Regional 6 – at McAlester
Tahlequah vs. Northwest Classen
Tulsa Memorial vs. Skiatook
Regional 7 – at Skiatook
McAlester vs. Tulsa East Central
Tulsa Washington vs. Noble
Regional 8 – at Cowerta
Durant vs. Grove
Coweta vs. Tulsa Hale
Can you ellaborate on what this means ??? self-imposed penalties suggested by the school to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association??? I thought that is why we didn’t play Ponca City on Senior night, to stay UNDER the count, please explain.
Self imposed penalties means Guthrie came up with the five penalties for the program and the OSSAA agreed to those and will not add anymore to it.
Canceling Ponca City was fine, but you have to play district games and in this case would be game number 23. Guthrie and El Reno were rained out in March and made up just the one game.
Doesn’t look like the regional will be all that tough anyways……or shouldn’t be. The OSSAA sure likes motivating this group of athletes dont they??
But hey, does that mean Chap can’t be in the dugout should they make it to state too??
Are the regional sites set or might we see some changes?
The regionals are set as they are listed above.
Correct Trey – he can not be with the team starting today (Tuesday) at practice. I do believe he can be in the stands as a spectator.
OK, I’ve been thinkin about this. Maybe I’m pointing the gun in wrong direction. Seems to me that the governing bodies of all sports (OSSAA, NCAA, etc) all have the wrong agenda. I’m not sure who Guthrie crossed or who has it out for GHS athletics, but it’s pretty rediculous to say the least. You mix politics in with ANYTHING and you take fun out of it…..just my opinion.
I think the AD has done awesome things with the programs up there and I probably should’ve thought a little more before firing off, but my first thought was “why is this happening AGAIN?!?!” When I should’ve been thinking more of being thankful for the young men.
Not sure how to solve the issue or if it even can be……..just irritates me. Don’t mean to offend anyone other than the real offender. Wish they would stand up!