Filbeck Ruled Ineligible for Esperanza’s Varsity

Ryan Filbeck, a starting varsity pitcher at El Toro High School last season, has been ruled ineligible to play varsity baseball at Esperanza High by Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas.

Filbeck, a senior right-hander, transferred to Esperanza before the start of this year’s baseball season. He has been practicing with the team while district officials try to determine his residency. Last week, he applied for eligibility under a hardship ruling. Thomas denied the appeal Monday.

“After a discussion with (El Toro principal) Don Martin, I determined that the transfer was motivated purely by athletics,” Thomas said. “There was no hardship involved here. The boy is eligible to play JV baseball but not varsity.”

An Esperanza administrator said the school would not appeal the decision.