Clarksville Academy baseball banned from postseason play for 2019 season

Clarksville Academy's baseball program has been placed on restrictive probation by the TSSAA, meaning the program is banned from participating in the postseason tournament for the 2019 season.

Clarksville Academy violated the preseason practice rule as well as the 50 percent rule, according to a copy of the infractions letter. The letter was sent to Clarksville Academy on Oct. 8, and the probation period will last one year from that date.

Not only will the Cougars' varsity program not be allowed to participate in the postseason tournament, but the TSSAA also has reduced the varsity baseball schedule to only 20 games. Additionally, the team cannot participate in any invitational tournaments during the season.

Restrictive probation also says "no award shall be given to a member school recognizing their finish in the regular season in any TSSAA sponsored sport."

Clarksville Academy also has been fined a combined $2,000 for both violations.

Clarksville Academy's violation stems from the school using current student athletes in an independent baseball tournament the weekend of Aug. 25. According to the letter of infractions, nine "eligible student athletes currently enrolled at Clarksville Academy participated in the independent tournament."

Under the 50 percent rule, no more than half of the players participating in a tournament of that sport, during the offseason, can play. In baseball, the limit is five.

TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress said he expects Clarksville Academy to appeal the ruling during a Board of Control meeting at 11:15 a.m. Nov. 15.

Clarksville Academy was coming off a previous probation after a violation last year. That triggered the restrictive probation response from the TSSAA, Childress said.

"They just came off last year's probation," Childress told The Leaf-Chronicle on Thursday.

The infractions letter also mentioned Clarksville Academy's previous violation of a recruiting rule "by the same coach involved in this situation."

In March 2017, assistant coach Matt Sundstrom was suspended for two weeks after sending improper text messages to the parent of a player who was considering enrolling in the school at the time.

This latest incident represented a second violation in as many years with the baseball program that the TSSAA thought warranted additional penalties.

Under TSSAA rules, the restrictive probation is a fine of $1,000, but the high school governing body included an additional $1,000 fine to the "total athletic program" for what Childress said was a "lack of departmental control."

"We gave you the opportunity to deal with this a year ago," Childress said. "And then this happens. It just doesn't seem like (Clarksville Academy) is getting the message."

The letter indicates that Clarksville Academy has taken its own action, including canceling the entire fall middle-school baseball season. The program also canceled its weight training and conditioning activities for two weeks, beginning Aug. 29. Clarksville Academy's administration also has scheduled training for all non-staff coaches to include compliance with the TSSAA sports calendar.

More:TSSAA rules Northeast High football must forfeit five wins this season

Reach George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or 931-245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.