Tustin, University Each Forfeits Victory for Holding Illegal Practice on Sunday

The Tustin and University high school baseball teams have been ordered by the Sea View League to forfeit one victory each for holding an illegal Sunday practice session in violation of California Interscholastic Federation rules.

Administrators from both schools wrote to Southern Section officials earlier this month admitting that their baseball programs had violated the rule, which prohibits games or practices to be held on Christmas or Sunday. Southern Section officials ordered the schools to forfeit a practice.

“We (Sea View League principals) felt that the penalty wasn’t strong enough,” said Dennis Evans, Corona del Mar principal and league president. “We felt that losing a practice day wasn’t sufficient.

“The rule is very clear and it was broken. We felt we had to send a message to the schools that this violation will not be tolerated.”

Tustin entered the week tied with Saddleback for first place at 7-2. The Tillers dropped to second place with a 6-3 record.

“We made a mistake and we’ll pay for it,” said Vince Brown, Tustin coach. “We’ll learn from this mistake and grow from it.”

University, in last place, falls from 2-6-1 to 1-7-1.

The action does not affect records of the other four league teams.