Santa Paula Loses Berth in Softball Playoffs

The Santa Paula High softball team has been replaced in the playoffs this week for violating a Southern Section Blue Book rule.

Santa Paula (15-7), co-champion of the Frontier League along with Moorpark, conducted an alumni game Sunday, which is in violation of CIF Rule No. 308 (No interscholastic games or practices of any kind are to be held on Christmas or Sunday.)

Joe Riccio, Santa Paula’s athletic director, did not return calls from The Times.

Calabasas (10-8), which finished third in the league, was declared the league’s No. 2 entry and will face L.A. Baptist (10-10) in a first-round Division V playoff game Friday.

Nordhoff (10-11), which did not qualify for the playoffs, is the new No. 3 entry and beat Montclair Prep, 4-0, in a wild-card game Wednesday. Nordhoff will face Crossroads in a first-round game Friday.

Track & Field

Kyle Beck of Valley College, the Western State Conference champion in the men’s 110-meter high hurdles, 400 intermediate hurdles and the long jump, signed a letter of intent Wednesday with USC.

Beck, a 1990 graduate of Chatsworth High, was leaning toward attending Cal State Northridge until USC offered him a full scholarship.