Swerdling’s Role in Fall League Prompts Southern Section Probe

American Legion official Mel Swerdling might have violated Southern Section rules by organizing a fall baseball league that begins play Saturday.

High school coaches are forbidden under section rules from “organizing, sponsoring or coaching” in off-season leagues, section administrator Bill Clark said Thursday.

Swerdling, the District 20 commissioner and an assistant last season at Harvard-Westlake High, organized an eight-team league featuring teams from Districts 16 and 20. Games are scheduled each Saturday through Dec. 18.

“That causes some concerns,” Clark said of Swerdling’s involvement. “We have some problems with that.”

Clark said the section would characterize Swerdling’s first-year enterprise as an off-season club league. Using high school coaches or equipment during club-team play is prohibited by section rules. He said he plans to contact Harvard-Westlake about the possible violation.

Swerdling said he was unaware of the particulars of the rule when he established the informal program.

“I did it on my own because nobody else was doing it,” Swerdling said. “I didn’t know anything about (the rule).”

The league also raised the eyebrows of American Legion administrators, who have distanced themselves from the program. “We have nothing to do with it,” state Legion Commissioner Harold Hall said. “Our Legion program ceases in August. We don’t want this program under American Legion.”

Nonetheless, printed at the top of schedules that Swerdling issued to league coaches, American Legion is clearly identified as an affiliate. Each of the league teams is identified on the schedule by its American Legion name.

As a result, Swerdling agreed Thursday to have players sign waivers before play begins so that the Legion program is not held responsible for any injuries.

Area 6 Commissioner Chuck Hatfield said Swerdling did not clear the league through Legion channels. Hatfield is Swerdling’s superior in the Legion hierarchy.

Hall said that teams in Swerdling’s league are covered by insurance paid last summer by the Legion teams. The insurance does not expire until the end of the year.