South Coast Principals Uphold Mission Viejo’s Protest

Principals of the South Coast League voted to uphold a protest filed by Mission Viejo High School baseball Coach Ron Drake after the Diablos’ 6-5 loss to Dana Hills on March 20 at Mission Viejo.

Drake protested that umpires were in error on a play at the plate in which a Dana Hills runner made unneccessary contact with Diablo catcher Don Roberson and was ejected from the game.

After the umpire called the runner out and ejected him, Roberson picked up the ball and threw wildly to third base in an attempt to get another runner who was trying to advance on the play. That runner scored on the overthrow. However, once the umpire had ejected the runner at home, time should have been called, nullifying the throwing error.

The league principals voted, 6-1, in favor of Drake. The game will be resumed with two out in the fifth inning, Dana Hills runners on first and second and Mission Viejo leading, 5-4. The date of the replay has not been determined.

The ruling leaves Mission Viejo with a league record of 3-0 and overall record of 12-2. Dana Hills is 1-2 and 6-7.

In another move, Mission Viejo’s scheduled game at El Toro today has been switched to noon Saturday.