Stoughton Post 89's Season Cut Short

June 27, 2014 @ Holbrook

Stoughton Post 89 visited Holbrook on Friday (6/27/14) in a matchup that could prove pivotal in determining the last playoff spot in the District 6 East Division.

Post 89's Pat Raeke got the call on the hill against Holbrook ace, Trevor Cooley. Stoughton began the game with 9 players for the first time all season, leaving them without reserves on the bench to begin the game.
In the second inning, Holbrook struck first after a 2-out extended the inning.  Moments later, the runner was apparently thrown out stealing by catcher, Jake Gibb, but after the tag was applied a balk was called due to the pitcher not coming to a complete stop at the set position and the runner was awarded second base.  Manager Jim Derochea contested the call, "First, I didn't agree with the balk call, but it's a subjective thing and (the umpire) obviously felt that Pat (Raeke) didn't pause long enough, but I was more disappointed that the balk was not called until after the runner was tagged out. My argument was that the rules state that the balk should be called right away, so my concern was that by letting things play through like that on a play that should have been a dead ball (when it hit the catcher's mitt), creates an unnecessary risk (injury) to the runner and fielder."  

Two pitches later, injury did come into play in a big way.  The Holbrook batter lined one over left fielder Justin Hutchinson's head, with the ball rolling all the way to the softball backstop some 400' from home plate.  Hutchinson raced to retrieve the ball before hitting his relay man perfectly. The Holbrook batter raced towards third as shortstop, Zach Gibb, received the ball in short left field.  Just as the runner touched third base, he spun and fired a near perfect strike to his brother, Jake, at home plate.  Jake stepped up to meet the ball to ensure that it didn't take an elusive hop, with the batter/runner still barely halfway to the plate.  The runner did not slow, however, but instead steamed on before lowering his shoulder and crashing violently into the upper body of the Stoughton catcher, sending both players sprawling in opposite directions.  Both lay on the ground, with both visibly injured as a result of the fierce collision.  The Holbrook runner was later issued an ejection for that deliberate contact (minimum 2 game suspension), but Stoughton Post 89 was unable to continue the game due to the injury to Jake Gibb, that left them with only 8 players.  American Legion Baseball plays by MLB Rules and Rule 4.17 states that 'A game shall be forfeited to the opposing team when a team is unable or refuses to place nine players on the field.'

One day after the official ruling and District Appeal was handed down, an apparent dejected, beaten Post 89 team could only field 8 players for a game against Hyde Park and as a result of the 2nd forfeit, received a 2 year ban, per Department (State) Legion Rules.

Stoughton Post 89 Manager Jim Derochea appealed the ruling of the June 27th forfeit, citing extenuating circumstances (caused by a deliberate, suspend-able offense by an opponent), but was denied appeals at the District, Department (State) and National levels. Manager Jim Derochea recently issued a statement on the matter. 

"Out of deference to the ongoing process and to American Legion Baseball and my team, I don't want to comment directly on the past appeals or on any ongoing options except to say that we have met with the team, the parents and a number of other interested parties in the community and we are steadfastly committed to pursuing several very promising avenues that we have identified and agreed upon.  Stoughton baseball has been on the steady rise in recent years and Stoughton Post 89 has been a catalyst in leading that rise, both on and off the field. Stoughton baseball has a very promising future and it is my sincerest hope that our unique case leads to positive change as well as an amicable conclusion for both Stoughton and ALB. I feel that it would be a travesty to end a growing, well-respected program, in large part due to an unfortunate incident that was a direct result of the (illegal) actions of an opponent."